Sports & Entertainment, Football (American), Sports Psychology, Higher & Continuing Education, Administration, Student Life 

In this fascinating book, Sperber uses original research culled from students, faculty, and administrators around the country, to argue that what universities offer instead of a meaningful undergraduate education is a meager and dangerous substitute: the party scene surrounding college sports that Sperber calls "beer and circus" and which serves to keep the students happy while tuition dollars keep rolling in. He explodes cherished myths about college sports, showing, for instance, that contrary to popular belief the money coming in to universities from sports programs never makes it to academic departments. Sperber's profound re-evaluation of college sports and higher education comes straight out of today's headlines and opens our eyes to a generation of students deprived of the education they deserve. Murray Sperber has been acknowledged for years as the country's leading authority on college sports and their role in American culture. In the wake of Indiana University's decision to fire head basketball coach Bobby Knight last year, Sperber was in constant demand across the country--on television, radio, and print media--to comment on the profound and tragic impact of big-time intercollegiate athletics on higher education. - from Amzon 

Animal House -- College sports winners and losers -- The NCAA, the tube, and the fans -- Corporate beer-and-circus -- Admissions office scams -- The Flutie factor -- Shaft the undergraduates -- The great researcher = great teacher myth -- New Siwash in red ink -- Student mix and match -- The faculty/student nonaggression pact -- Cheating -- Undergraduate education triage : honors program lifeboats -- Cheap beer : the oxygen of the Greek system -- Drinking off-campus and far off-campus (spring break) -- Party round the team -- Rally round the team--as long as it wins and covers the spread -- College Sports MegaInc.-- College Sports MegaInc. versus undergraduate education -- Who loves the jocks? -- The New 3 R's -- Conclusion: what should happen versus what probably will happen. 

Includes bibliographical references (pages 279-308) and index.