The cost of college sports

Joe Castiglione, athletics director
University of Oklahoma
Bloomberg News

"(The NCAA) wants to create this socialistic society where the playing field is level for everyone, where we create leaders in our communities, where there is a good spirit. But the very nature of athletics is to compete and to crown winners.

"Part of that competition is to offer better salaries to lure the best coaches, and to build better facilities to attract the best athletes. So there's philosophy, and then there's reality."

DeLoss Dodds, athletics director
University of Texas at Austin
Bloomberg News

"Our constituency wants us to win. It's difficult for a president to tell those supporters that, 'Hey, we're adopting a new philosophy where winning and being competitive isn't that important anymore.'

"We'll keep looking for the very best coaches, and that will continue to cost us, just like it costs people to hire great professors and great CEOs."

Eric Hyman, athletics director
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Discussing alcohol advertising at college sports contests and on college sports broadcasts:

"Is it a mixed message? I would say that it is, but there are mixed messages that TCU probably sends out, too. Each institution has to do what's right for them, and they each have different philosophical parameters.

"It's not to say what is right or isn't. I'd like to take out all advertising inside stadiums, but that isn't realistic. Those are things that take place in an ideal world, but in reality you end up having to be creative to create revenue streams to make ends meet."

Academic Progress Rate

Jim Calhoun, head men's basketball coach
University of Connecticut
The Day (New London, Connecticut)

"The Big East and (other major conferences) are trying to get information to (NCAA President) Myles Brand that we like what the NCAA is doing, but they've got to understand that the spring semester for the exceptional athlete, for the quarterback in football ... they just go. It doesn't affect (football) as much because they have more scholarships. In basketball, 0-for-2s really get you. If we continue to do what we're doing recruiting-wise, we're in trouble unless they make changes."

Lamisha Augustine, basketball student-athlete
San Jose State University
San Jose Mercury News

Discussing the unique challenges scholarship student-athletes face in earning a degree:

"It's extremely hard to stay awake in class after a tough practice because you're so tired. People think that I don't have to go to class and the professor is going to pass me because I'm an athlete. The reality is I earn my grades just like any other student -- because I'm working my tail off. ...

"I won't be able to play basketball eventually, but I'll always have my degree."