Jim Haney, executive director
National Association of Basketball Coaches
Los Angeles Times

"Clearly, within college athletics, there is a line where basketball, football, maybe even some other sports, go from being an amateur competition to being a business. It's about winning, about putting people in seats.

"On the other hand, if you have a Fortune 500 company making lots of money, it doesn't mean that company shouldn't, or doesn't, behave ethically. But the money does make things more complex. A lot of people with a hunger or thirst for money let that hunger or thirst affect their bottom line as to whether or not to make an ethical decision. It's a real challenge."

Tom Gabbard, associate athletics director
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Daily Press (Newport News/Hampton, Virginia)

"It's incredible. We're going as hard as we can just to catch up. If you want to see a hall of fame, go to North Carolina. Look at the University of Florida. They have 84,000 people in their stadium, and they're adding more seating.

" 'Arms race' is a good way to put it. If you want to see a football locker room, go to the University of Texas. You're going to swear you're in the most expensive executive club in America. Mahogany, hand-rubbed, unbelievable lighting. Ours is nice, until you go there."

Robert McCormick, economics professor
Clemson University
Daily Press (Newport News/Hampton, Virginia)

"In my research, I've found that spending on athletics facilities enhances the reputation and quality of the entire academic experience. Instead of enemies, I find academics and athletics to be allies. But that doesn't mean we wouldn't be better off spending the money on something else."

Dave Chambers, associate athletics director
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Daily Press (Newport News/Hampton, Virginia)

"You don't need a mansion to get the job done. If you're a coach and your livelihood is riding on success, if you're going to take a selfish attitude, the view would be spend, spend, spend. That mentality, I think, comes back and catches you.

"We really get too far away from our mission, and that's to educate young people, provide good experiences for them athletically, and allow our fans an opportunity to come back and participate in campus activities. When you take it to the Roman Empire mentality, that may ultimately be our history."