Involvement in athletics can contribute to the total growth and development of students by promoting leadership skills, physical fitness, sportsmanship, teamwork, and discipline.
Athletic participation can also help students grow physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.
In addition to the benefits derived by the student participants, college athletic programs can also generate recognition and support for the institution in its local community, throughout the State, and regionally or nationally. College athletics can also serve as an important focal point for student life on campus and can help build loyalty and commitment to the institution by students and alumni. Because athletes are often highly visible, those who project a positive image can help establish a positive image of the institution by the general public. In recent years, however, numerous problems have been created in American higher education by the over-emphasis on intercollegiate athletics at many colleges and universities. These problems include the diversion of scarce institutional resources from academics to athletics.