National Collegiate Athletic Association |
CommentApril 27, 1998
Guest editorial -- Renaissance Games seek a proper mix
BY DANIEL E. DOYLE JR. As an assistant men's basketball coach at Brown University in the late 1970s, I visited numerous high schools in search of the next Bill Bradley. While I never discovered any player comparable to "Dollar Bill," I met many young men who were bright, popular and self-assured -- the student leaders of their schools. A decade later, a book tour for my novel "Are You Watching, Adolph Rupp?" included a number of stops at middle and high schools to address aspiring young writers. In poignant contrast from my prior experience as a coach, a number of young writers approached me with a shared concern: "No one really pays much attention to us." Their message -- as revealing as it was disturbing -- caused me to reflect on an undeniable fact: While we as a society have done a laudable job encouraging our youth to play various sports, we have not put enough stress on the arts. Even within the athletics sector, there seems to be another problem: While we honor the great athlete -- the specialist -- perhaps to excess, we merely offer polite praise to the well-rounded scholar-athlete. Because of this imbalance, my colleagues and I at the Institute for International Sport decided to develop a series of programs that would honor the student-athlete. An important objective of these programs is to integrate young people with interests in either sport, science or the arts in a series of activities that encourage them to pursue excellence -- and to explore. In conceiving these programs, we were mindful that competition can, in its best form, inspire young people "to hitch one's wagon to a star," as Emerson wrote. Yet while we wanted the power of competition to be an important element of the programs, we did not want to measure the experiences of the participants solely on that one element. Our initial step was to develop the World Scholar-Athlete Games, which were first held in 1993. The core concept of the Games involves integrating scholar-athletes with their potential allies and counterparts: scholar-athletes and scholar-scientists. In the athletics component, there are no national teams; instead, a basketball team might be made up of 10 young men from 10 different countries, a soccer team might be composed of 15 young women from 15 different countries, and so on. At the Scholar-Athlete Games, the athletics and cultural activities are augmented by a series of theme day issues such as the environment, world hunger and world peace. In 1993, we welcomed delegations from 108 countries and all 50 states to the inaugural World Scholar-Athlete Games. In 1997, the program grew to 147 countries. Because of the program's success, the World Games will continue to be held every four years, and we have scheduled "continent" games in such locations as South Africa (the African Scholar-Athlete Games for all African countries) and Israel (the Mediterranean/Middle East Scholar-Athlete Games) -- both places of conflict where sport and the arts will be used to bridge religious and ethnic boundaries. At the 1993 Games, we began to discuss the idea of incorporating this scholar-athlete concept into schools, specifically a school vs. school format. As is the case in the Scholar-Athlete Games, we decided that this program, to be called the Renaissance Games, must make young writers, artists and scientists feel as welcome as young athletes. In a Renaissance Games Program, students are placed on one of two teams -- either "Athens" or its historical rival, "Sparta." The two teams participate in a competition in which every activity -- from playing a basketball game to writing a poem, from delivering a speech on the environment to running a five-kilometer race -- earns points for their team. The number of points awarded is based on the outcome of a particular competition, or the proficiency with which a cultural activity is executed, as determined by a team of judges. Participants are advised that, while they are not required to engage in every activity, they must choose a total of four -- two cultural and two athletic. Over a four-year period, we have tested the concept at Kingswood-Oxford School in West Hartford, Connecticut. We also brought the idea to a different venue, one more volatile, and hence, in many ways, more provocative: Belfast, Northern Ireland. In 1995 and 1996, the Institute administered a special "Irelands' Scholar-Athlete Games" program, employing the Renaissance Games model and placing Catholics and Protestants on the same team. Challenging and memorable With the aid of a group of researchers, we found that the Renaissance Games model provided the participants with an experience that was as challenging as it was memorable. In both West Hartford and Belfast, the Games fostered remarkable communication. In fact, the Northern Ireland program has resulted in the development of strong and ongoing friendships among Protestant and Catholic youth, some of whom had previously engaged in acts of violence against one another. The evaluations also demonstrated that, in trying to help their team, participants were willing to attempt things they would not otherwise consider possible. Moreover, young people with talent in a particular area (often an area not accorded proper attention) were given the opportunity to shine. As an example, at the 1995 program in Belfast, a young writer ran and finished a five-kilometer road race to score points for his team. That evening, this same young man read an absorbing poem about "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland. When he concluded his reading, he was greeted with a standing ovation. Moments later, the judges of the Games informed the young man he had scored 15 very important points for his team. On his evaluation following the event, the young man reported that the chance to contribute to his team's victory was the most meaningful experience in his young life. "As a student who loves poetry, I had never before been given such an opportunity," he wrote. Due to the success of these "pilot programs," we decided to take the Renaissance Games to the American college level. In 1997, John Gerdy, a consultant to the institute and former associate commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, contacted the NCAA on our behalf. Gerdy was informed that due to NCAA regulations, it would be difficult for certain Division I athletes, most notably basketball players, to participate in the event unless a rather extensive appeals process was carried out. Because of this policy, we decided to limit our college pilot program to Division III institutions, and Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, agreed to host the inaugural "Renaissance Games College Pilot Program." The pilot program took place April 17-19 at Bates. One hundred and fifty students representing a number of Division III institutions in the United States, including Bates, Haverford, and Washington and Lee -- as well as schools from six other countries -- participated. The sports included basketball, soccer, volleyball, swimming, and track and field. The cultural program included activities such as theater, debate, "Mathletics," "Scientific Discovery" and public speaking. As noted, all students had to participate in four activities -- two geared toward the arts and cultural pursuits and two in sport. Professor Michael Malec of Boston College, who has conducted studies for the institute in the past, will oversee a research project aimed at determining the impact the program has on the participants. Following the Bates event, and based on the results of Professor Malec's research, the institute intends to introduce the Renaissance Games in schools throughout the world -- elementary through college. The first step in this process will be a major symposium in October 1998 at American University in Washington, D.C., entitled "Renaissance Education -- the Enlightened Integration of Scholarship and Athletics." Educators from more than 50 countries will be invited to this symposium to discuss and refine the concept. In the fall of 1998, the institute will also administer several Renaissance Games, including a major program in Galway, Ireland. By the spring of 1999, our objective is to initiate Renaissance competitions in many schools across the globe. It is our hope that by that time, schools will choose Renaissance teams as they now choose basketball or soccer teams. Staff members at the Institute for International Sport will assist schools to achieve this objective. When we conceived the Scholar-Athlete Games, we felt we were "onto something." We feel the same way about the Renaissance Games. The institute staff, along with our colleagues at Bates, are confident that this event will herald a valuable new tradition for the accomplished, well-rounded student. Moreover, we hope such a concept will prompt all of us to reconsider the advisability of placing too much emphasis on adolescent specialization -- particularly if such a path diminishes a student's opportunity to explore, unconditionally and without limits. Daniel E. Doyle Jr., a former men's varsity basketball coach at Trinity College (Connecticut), is the founder and executive director of the Institute for International Sport, which is based at the University of Rhode Island. Doyle is also author of the novel "Are You Watching, Adolph Rupp?" Doyle's second novel, "Paradin' the Ghosts," will be published in 1999. Letter to the Editor -- Division III playing field growing less level?I am writing to you to discuss the growing concerns many private Division III institutions have regarding problems staying competitive in a world of tuition hikes and lack of available funding. Many years ago, the NCAA approved legislation that made it illegal for Division III institutions to provide athletics departments with special considerations from financial aid for their student-athletes. What this has done is create an unfair advantage for state-supported schools. As everyone knows, private institutions are considerably more expensive than their state-supported counterparts. When the time arrives for the student-athlete to choose a school, the decision often depends on how much it is going to cost a parent to pay, out of pocket. Without adequate financial aid, many student-athletes decide to attend a "cheaper" institution, even though their first choice may have been the more expensive private school. As an active college football coach at a private college, I have seen scores of quality student-athletes decline admission to our school and accept it at a neighboring state school. As the years progress and these rules get a tighter grip on our institutions, we are left fighting to compete with these less expensive schools that do not need to rely on the quantity of a financial aid package. Is it really fair to make us compete against schools that may already have the competitive advantage before anyone even steps onto the playing field?
Matthew D. Fisk Opinions -- Wrestling changes for the good, but much work remainsDiscussing NCAA rules changes meant to deter unhealthy weight-loss practices in wrestling:
Jim Scott, chair "These are all steps in the right direction. But I don't think there's any one rule or set of rules that overnight will change the culture of the sport. None of us can envision what kinds of things people might do to get around the new rules, but that's the next step."
Chris Horpel, wrestling coach "It will take a couple years for (wrestlers) to completely buy into changing what they've done for so long, but these rules are rigid, and we're going to have to change our traditions."
Creatine
Kristin Reimers, nutritionist "Most scientists feel it's safe if it's used in recommended doses. But the research has always been done on adults. That leaves a window open. "We've got junior high kids experimenting with creatine. We also have individuals over 70 taking it. Who knows? It's one big laboratory, basically."
Jeff Stout, exercise scientist "There are a lot of critics (about creatine) out there. But they have no scientific research supporting their claims."
Boyd Epley, strength coach "They don't need it. Younger athletes can make such gains on their own that they don't need a supplement. It's a shame they're in a rush to do that."
Ann Grandjean, director "If you use this stuff to make yourself better, you'll never know what your own capabilities are. Kids need to know that their success is because of their ability and hard work."
Amateurism
Marc Hansen, columnist "The latest point-shaving scandal in college basketball is -- stop me if you've heard this before -- yet another argument for giving the players some kind of legitimate salary. "If the so-called student-athletes actually made some real above-the-table money, maybe they'd be less tempted to get their cut by fixing games. "No, you haven't heard this tired old song and dance before. See, I'm not asking the schools to pay a cent. I understand the fiscal reality. Not every school makes money in college sports. "Most college programs are either in the red or barely treading water. Most college basketball and football coaches aren't paid in the high six figures. "It's hard to believe there aren't enough bucks to go around, especially with a billion-dollar TV package for basketball alone. But that's the fact. "Whenever somebody says the kids should be paid, somebody else says, with what, Monopoly money? "An NCAA Division I mid-major like, say, Kent can barely afford the bus ride to Akron, much less pay its football players. And if you pay the men, you have to pay the women. "Look even closer to home. Drake draws a few thousand fans a game for basketball. Drake's first concern is paying the power company. "So I say leave the schools out of it and let the free market dictate who gets paid what. Leave it to the boosters. "If there was a football-crazed sugar daddy in Des Moines who wanted to pay Troy Davis $25,000 a year to play at Iowa State, where's the harm, especially if all inducements are reported? Why should that be an NCAA violation? "If Davis or any other athletes can get it, it's un-American to keep it from them. "Would the biggest, richest, most successful programs have an unfair advantage? Probably, but don't they have an unfair advantage now? "Who won the NCAA basketball tournament? Kentucky. "Who was No. 1 in football? Michigan and Nebraska. "There's already a caste system in college football and basketball. The top 10 doesn't change much from year to year. "Besides, who's to say Iowa State's sugar daddies couldn't hold their own with Nebraska's sugar daddies? Assuming Warren Buffett stays out of it. "In 50 years, sports historians will look back at this strange socialist-capitalist hybrid called intercollegiate athletics and wonder how the schools got away with it."
Spring football
Bob Lipper columnist "Face it. Players are bigger, stronger, faster and more destructive nowadays. They inflict pain and skeletal damage. And they do so with alarmingly high incidence in the spring, when players might not be in the best shape, when less experienced squad members are throwing their weight around and when concentration might fluctuate without an opponent and a game just a few days away. "Under those circumstances, why not limit spring practice to conditioning and working on technique and scrub the risky full-contact stuff? It's worth a try, at any rate -- even though you'd have trouble selling coaches on the idea. " 'Any time you play, you're going to have injuries,' said Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer. "You can teach these things, but in the end you've got to do the activity in a total way. It's like trying to play golf and not playing 18 holes, in my opinion.' "Coaches can't be blamed for digging in at the heels. Their scholarship quotas have been pared over the years from 120 to the current 85. Gender equity is pounding on their door. They can't scrimmage with impunity in the spring anymore. Some -- players among them -- would do away with spring practice altogether. That prospect gives coaches a splitting migraine. " 'Can you live without it?' said Grant Teaff, who once patrolled the sideline at Baylor and is now executive director of the American Football Coaches Association. 'You can live without anything. My question would be, can you live without it on Saturdays in the fall? Can you live without the proper training and preparation?' "Or, as Virginia's George Welsh put it, 'It would hurt the product. I think we've pared it down as far as it can go.' "Well, maybe not. The next step would be to trim the scrums and scrimmages from the agenda. For now, the new restrictions -- while helpful -- still leave players vulnerable to off-season hits and devastating injuries."
Gambling
Michael Franzese, former organized crime figure Discussing gambling with student-athletes at the University of Texas at Austin: "If you bet with a bookmaker, even a student bookmaker, you've got a problem.... Everybody in organized crime is connected in some way, shape or form with gambling. Gambling is the main business of organized crime. It always has been; it always will be."
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