Academics often discount the value of top-rated sports programs

When James E. Rogers declared, “Academics often discount the value of top-rated sports programs in helping to develop a campus life and in contributing to the overall success of a college or university. Like it or not, the sports programs a college or university has are the front page of that university,” he was unveiling a truth that many intellectuals resist, yet history affirms. His words remind us that while books shape the mind, it is often the banners of sport that shape the spirit and visibility of an institution. The gridiron, the court, and the field—these become stages where the name of a university is carried into the world, louder than any lecture hall.

The origin of this quote rests in Rogers’ own work as an educator, philanthropist, and businessman, deeply tied to higher learning. He had witnessed firsthand the tension between academics and athletics, and he sought to bridge the divide by pointing to reality: sports are a university’s front page. When the world glances quickly, they do not always look at research papers or academic rankings. Instead, they see the roar of the stadium, the march of mascots, the televised triumphs of teams that carry the school’s name into millions of homes.

Consider the story of Notre Dame in the early 20th century. Before its football program rose to prominence under Knute Rockne, it was but one of many Catholic colleges, largely unknown outside its region. But when the Fighting Irish triumphed against powerhouses and became a national symbol, the reputation of the university soared. Enrollment increased, alumni support flourished, and Notre Dame became a name known not only for faith and scholarship but also for glory. In this, we see Rogers’ point made flesh: the front page was written not by scholars, but by athletes.

Yet, Rogers’ statement is not to devalue scholarship, but to recognize the unity of spirit and visibility. Sports are not enemies of learning; they are amplifiers of community. A great research institution may nurture knowledge, but without a unifying spirit, it risks isolation. Sports bring students together in shared pride, draw alumni back into loyalty, and foster bonds that enrich campus life. They are not a substitute for academics, but a complement—a heartbeat that gives rhythm to the intellect.

At the same time, Rogers’ words carry a challenge. If sports are the “front page,” then institutions must ensure that this front page reflects honor, discipline, and excellence. Too often, scandals or corruption in athletics stain the name of a university. Just as a dishonest headline discredits a newspaper, so too can a dishonorable sports program discredit a school. Thus, the cultivation of athletics must be matched with integrity, so that the power of sport builds rather than diminishes the institution.

The lesson, then, is this: embrace the reality of sport’s influence, and wield it with wisdom. Do not dismiss athletics as distraction, nor exalt it as idol, but see it as a mighty instrument. Let the victories on the field inspire unity, let the values of discipline and teamwork echo into classrooms, and let the visibility of sports programs serve as gateways through which the world learns of the university’s deeper achievements.

So, let the children of learning and the champions of sport walk together. For as Rogers reminds us, “sports programs are the front page of the university.” Let that front page be one of honor, passion, and pride, drawing the eyes of the world, while within the pages, scholarship and discovery write the deeper story. In this way, a university is made whole—not by choosing between intellect and sport, but by uniting them in the service of community, legacy, and greatness.