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Lahey Speaks About Sports Controversies

Published: Friday, April 24, 2009

Updated: Saturday, April 25, 2009

 

Various rumors and controversies are burdening Quinnipiac, and the sports department is no different. So when University President John Lahey visited Professor Larry Levine’s Sports Studies 101 class, none of the students knew what to expect.

 

 

 

 

For senior Broadcast Journalism major, Michael Cea, this was a once in an undergraduate lifetime experience.

 

“I never really see the guy on campus, [it was] nice to meet him two weeks before graduation,” said Cea. “It was interesting to hear what he had to say about what he does, and what he does to run the school.”

 

“Basically he came in to speak about sports and their relationship to the university,” said sophomore Public Relations major Nicole Pappas.

 

 

Pappas claimed that Lahey spoke about how, “Academics need to come before sports at an institution.”

 

 

“What he wants to do here is academics first, and then athletics,” she continued.

 

 

 

“He doesn’t want to turn into a school like UConn where when you hear it you think of basketball,” said Cea, “He said he loves sports, and sports bring a lot of unity on the campus- but he thinks it’s better to have your school put academics first. I know personally that Ohio State puts more into its athletic department that we do our entire budget.”

 

Currently, the biggest controversy surrounding the athletic department is the ACLU’s lawsuit against the University for Title IX violations. The students in Professor Levine’s class were quick to inquire about the controversy.

 

“I felt like he didn’t want to talk a lot about it,” said Pappas. “He thinks that the way that they’ve cut programs at Quinnipiac has absolutely adhered to Title IX and they will end up ok with the lawsuit.”

 

“He said as far as he was concerned he thought everything was followed correctly,” said Cea.

 

Although Lahey feels that the Title IX is valuable, it seems to be having more unfortunate ramifications than helpful ones.

 

“He feels like its good but the longer it goes on, it’s taking more away from guys. It seemed good at first for collegiate sports, but it’s really only taking away men’s sports to help make women’s more equal—at least that’s the vibe I got,” said Cea.

 

Pappas agreed. “Basically it just seemed like they cut the two men’s sports to better adhere to Title IX. He mentioned that if they [the ACLU] did convict them [Quinnipiac] we would have to cut more men’s sports, once you cut a sport you can’t really bring it back.”

 

Another topic Lahey spoke about was utilizing the TD BankNorth Center for more than just concerts.

 

 

“He wants to have more things up there that better use the facilities. He actually went to the [Ludacris] concert, which is really weird if you can picture him there,” said Pappas.

 

By the end Cea was able to understand where the President was coming from. “If you’re smart right now you cut back, it’s unfortunate but it will benefit more in the long run to cut back now and then rebuild in the future."

 

Red Zmudzien contributed in reporting for this story

 

 

 

 


 

 

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5 comments

Senior
Tue Apr 28 2009 13:50
To the first comment...

Cut the spring concert and see how the university responds. It's a university tradition and it is a reward for students who have worked hard all year. It's a chance to celebrate the completion of another year, really. He supports student life here... that's what is being said. How many people go to golf and volleyball events? How many go to the spring concerts? Problem solved.

While I personally don't care about them, if Lahey he cut the concert people would be up in arms. He just can't win with you people... you criticize him for every decision he makes, even when it is clear that a decision has to be made and the alternative is just as ugly.

Get over yourselves and realize that Lahey has done more for this university than any single individual in its history (except of course the founder). Twenty years ago, you wouldn't have looked twice at QU in your college search... now, we receive 15,000 applications a year. As a senior, I have never seen such a whiny group of college students. From housing, to sports, to graduation... changes happen. It's life. Yes, we can all cry a river about it but in the end, life changes. Instead of spending all of your energy whining about it, make the best of the situation. I will miss this university like crazy when I graduate, but I will not miss the constant complaints coming from the underclassmen. The entire world is changing, the university has to change with it.

Your name
Mon Apr 27 2009 13:35
I think what Lahey meant when he said Title XI has caused more problems is that instead of adding to women's athletics, like Title XI intended to, universities have cut men's athletics. For example, Title XI would have preferred adding more women's teams than having to cut some men's teams. However that isn't conducive to budget cuts. It's a lose-lose situation, with less athletic opportunities for both men and women.
Your name
Sun Apr 26 2009 22:20
don't bash lahey....he is a great president.. you try juggling 7,000 students .... in my eyes hes doing a great job at this university
Michelle Agostini
Sat Apr 25 2009 21:43
He commented on how he wants the the TD Bank North center used for more than just sports? Does everyone know that SPB had to pay about $12,000 just for use of the facility that is owned by the school? The school's reasoning was that they had to pay facilities and for use of the lighting etc? At the facility? If he wants it to be used for more than just sports, he should make ir more available, considering that the students have already paid for the facilities creation.
Your name
Fri Apr 24 2009 22:25
I suppose the $95,000.00 that the Quinnipiac Chronicle stated that QU spent on the Ludacris concert was an example of cutting back in order to rebuild for the future. It also really represents putting academics first.

Title IX has been great for women in sports. Disagreeing with this fact is like saying that women should also not have been given the right to vote because it caused extra problems for men voters.







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