Those who reflect on the status of intercollegiate sports in our country would do well to remember a little history.

The lineage of Western democratic thought can be traced to Greece. From that "cradle," democratic thought turned, twisted and progressed successively via the Romans, French and English, to rest now with the Americans, who have inherited the role as modern-day custodians of Greek idols.

Despite the many contributions Americans and the prior custodians have made to Western democratic thought, the most graphic architecture, literature and visual art expressions still are found in Athens. Those models vividly display the Athenians' "guide to life on Earth." Their "cherished way" is revered by most all of us even today.

Not only were their thoughts on self-government exemplary of the way people should live and interact, but through the preservation of the Acropolis, we can gain insight into their view of the ultimate utopian society. By examining the Acropolis' construction, many aspects of Greek philosophy may be interpreted.

The Acropolis' upper level included (a) the Agora (a meeting place), where oral debate was held; (b) the Parthenon, the Doric Temple, designed for religious worship; (c) the Theatron, where theater works were portrayed; (d) the Library, where in-depth, organized study was available; and (e) the Gymnasium and Stadium for physical culture and competitive-sport activities. Each of these beautiful physical structures accentuate in granite and marble the Greeks' most cherished values from their "master plan of life."

Democracy has moved measurably since its early origin in the Athens city-state. As Americans, we have fought for and safeguarded this form of government during our time on the watch. However, as we enter the 21st century, we should evaluate our stewardship. Have the Greek Olympic torches of debate, of religious principle, of great theater portrayal, of conscientious study, and of all encompassing physical culture and sport competition remained vibrant, bright and powerful, or are they flickering and becoming dimmed before our eyes?

The Olympic Games torch was revived by Pierre de Culbertin in 1896. Once again, sport became a viable element of man's search for conquest, physical happiness, and satisfaction. It was during this same period that athletics competition began to develop -- in track and field, football, baseball, basketball and boxing -- in towns, schools, colleges and universities both in the United States and around the world.

The modern explosion of those sports needed control and stability to create a pattern of order and to acquire a level of relativity. President Theodore Roosevelt and educators of the era saw sport as a viable pursuit and theorized that its lasting impact would be for the good of human life. For sport, in and of itself, this was great -- it ensured that sport would have a place in man's personal life, a rekindling of the Olympic flame, and a position as an integral part within a well-rounded society.

Our Greek forebearers would have been pleased and proud. They would have been even more proud when universities gave control of sport to learned faculty members who had a firm appreciation for the total education of society. Departments of physical education assumed the reins over university athletics programs and homage was paid to sport in the historic Greek manner. Sport was an element of the total man, and an individual who participated in athletics was fully developing himself.

As sport developed throughout the ensuing years, it became quite apparent that athletes who were specialized in their events became consistently more successful in their performance, even though they held relatively little knowledge of the total educational philosophy. Soon, athletics departments broke away from the physical education departments and became separate operations.

Of course, the athletics "Torch" grew brighter, but it had a new proprietor. Within the new athletics departments, the emphasis changed from education to a focus on winning and success. This emphasis translated into the need for more money.

The result has been to relegate nonrevenue sports to "minor sport" status or, in some cases, to abolish them entirely from the university sport scene.

The original Greek Olympics were discontinued because of corruption and cheating.

Philosophically, the competitors and organizers were no longer adhering to their original ideals of competition. Today, we are dangerously close to a departure from the "Western rules of conduct" that were put in place by Theodore Roosevelt and the many educators and coaches whom he enlisted early in the 20th century.

The original Greek code was good. Our modern day sports founders' concepts were good. Let us not confuse success and fulfillment.

Those terms can and should be congruent. Success alone can be misleading, yes, even destructive. Let us fortify our Acropolis. We do not want to narrow our spectrum of life. Let us provide a total opportunity for human fulfillment.

Stan Huntsman formerly was the head track and field coach at Ohio University; the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and the University of Texas at Austin.