University of Florida: Big News

In perusing the local newspaper, the Gainesville Sun, this weekend it's clear that there is one major concern. Will the Blue team or Orange team win the vaunted intrasquad spring scrimmage? Forget the fact that the University that the team supposedly represents is falling apart from within. Forget the fact that most of these student athletes will have to put food on their plates via some other means than athletics. The cuts proposed by UF are going to limit the options for these students and is going to diminish their degrees.

Look, I'm a UF alum so I'm all for college athletics and the pleasant diversions they bring and the loyalty they instill amongst the alumni. What I don't understand is when the athletics dominate the conversation over the mission of the University. Look at the Gainesville Sun forums. The cuts get maybe one or two comments whilst the orange and blue game is discussed like a war was taking place. It's an intrasquad scrimmage folks, that's it.

Well, this happens at other Universities. It will be interesting to see if the cuts are announced at the game with the request for fans to contact the Florida house. Right now the Senate budget would result in minimal damage whereas the House budget would devastate UF (and many other Florida Universities). It's too bad that UF alumni don't demand the same excellence from their academic programs as they do the athletic programs.
I've said nothing new here, I know but it makes me feel better to say it.

Cheers

Joe Meert