Debate: Dropping the Ball
Should more undergraduate schools follow in the footsteps of Spelman College and consider dropping intercollegiate sports programs?

Claim: Do not drop sports program in undergraduate schools
Reason: Sports programs are too expensive.
Warrant 0: sports programs draw sponsors and benefactors who could cover the costs of the programs
Warrant 1: sports programs do not draw sponsors and benefactors who could cover the costs of the programs
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Drop sports program in undergraduate schools
Reason: School sports have a place as long as academics come first.
Warrant 0: coaches can be trusted to put academics first
Warrant 1: coaches can not be trusted to put academics first
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Drop sports program in undergraduate schools
Reason: Sports teams represent a sense of togetherness and bring people together every Saturday on a football field.
Warrant 0: everyone can participate in that feeling of togetherness, avoid the feeling of exclusion
Warrant 1: not everyone can participate in that feeling of togetherness, leading to feeling of exclusion
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Do not drop sports program in undergraduate schools
Reason: If they didn't have to spend money on competitive sports it could be spent on research and education.
Warrant 0: athletics is far less important than research or education.
Warrant 1: athletics is far more important than research or education.
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Do not drop sports program in undergraduate schools
Reason: Money from discontinued sports funds other activities.
Warrant 0: the other activities need more funding
Warrant 1: the other activities don't need more funding
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Do not drop sports program in undergraduate schools
Reason: Intramural and interscholastic have a place but not college sports which just train athletes for professional teams.
Warrant 0: college's purpose isn't to train athletes
Warrant 1: college sports train athletes
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Do not drop sports program in undergraduate schools
Reason: Too much money is spent on a few gifted athletes while almost nothing is spent on gifted students.
Warrant 0: gifted students are on scholarship and need money
Warrant 1: gifted students are on scholarship and do not need money
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Drop sports program in undergraduate schools
Reason: School sports have a place as long as academics come first.
Warrant 0: academics never come before sports in practical life
Warrant 1: academics come before sports in practical life
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Drop sports program in undergraduate schools
Reason: Sports programs teach important things like leadership, discipline, and teamwork.
Warrant 0: colleges don't always have classes that teach those qualities
Warrant 1: colleges already have classes that teach those qualities
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Drop sports program in undergraduate schools
Reason: Sports programs teach competition and the will to succeed.
Warrant 0: these things can be taught through academic things
Warrant 1: these things can't be taught through academic things
Correct warrant: 0