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In a November 18 editorial in the Roanoke Times (Editorial: The Highlanders aren't the Hokies), the editors of the Roanoke Times seem to want to deny Radford University the opportunity for enhancement of the educational experience offered by RU that could be available through enhanced sports programs.
The RT piece cites without any backup statistics that indicate athletic programs lose more money than they make and implies that academic programs suffer when athletic focus increases. I have no doubt that this can be true, but I think the warnings voiced in the editorial sound more like protectionism for the big Virginia Tech programs than thoughtful analysis. For example, in 1977, the year I came to Virginia Tech, student enrollment was about 15,000, and Blacksburg was a sleepy little village nestled in the mountains. The stadium seated 33,000 and was never full except on Homecoming and UVa Games. Virginia Tech gear, such as caps and sweatshirts was less visible on campus among VT students than was paraphernalia from other universities. As late as the early 1980s, VT football squads were still losing to VMI. In 1995, Frank Beamer’s unknown squad shocked the nation by beating Texas in the Sugar Bowl, and in the following five years established itself among the perennial contenders for national championships, leading up to acceptance into the ACC. During this time, the nation learned what a Hokie is, and the exposure gained by the sports programs at VT allowed them to compete for better entering students and further bolster their academic reputation. The effect on the local economy is incalculable, independent of whether or not the actual bottom line of the sports programs within VT is red or black. And whether you think Mike Vick is a hero or a heel, the success he achieved as a VT athlete coupled with his loyalty to his school helped provide Tech with some of those wonderful facilities. Why shouldn’t Radford follow a similar path? Not that they aspire to be as big as VT, but the path has value to both the university and the local economy. Penny Kyle has done a fantastic job in setting a new course for Radford. While this process has been painful, as it always is when a strong-willed visionary takes charge after years of lethargy, the results are now becoming evident. For example, the 2008 incoming freshman class at RU was larger than it has been for several years, even though the entrance requirements were significantly stiffened. That’s progress toward a better educational experience. The enhancement of athletic programs at RU would be another important step in a positive direction, if handled properly. Just as Beamer’s football program at Tech helped forge a stronger school identity for tech students and graduates, more and better sports programs at Radford would bring a better sense of unity to the school and its students and alumni. Let’s face it, while nobody doubts the value of having Nobel Prize winners on your faculty (which VT does not, by the way), strong and lasting memories (and donors) are created by exciting athletic contests. It’s about pride, and sporting events provide a shared experience between the participants and the attendees, creating the human drama that helps forge lasting bonds and cherished memories. And while trying to compete with Virginia Tech in the size and quality of its sports programs is probably not feasible, I think Radford would be well served to expand its presence in the athletic arena. Imagine being able to get a ticket to a college football game in the New River Valley! Michael Miller is a Montgomery County freelance writer.
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