Buffalo, NY - Canisius University President Steve Stoute shared a sobering critique of contemporary collegiate sports during a recent University of Toledo panel discussion, warning that fundamental educational values are being eroded by increasing commercialization.
Drawing from his personal experience as a former student-athlete, university president and NCAA committee member, Stoute argued that the intrinsic purpose of intercollegiate athletics is being compromised by the increasing monetization of athletics. "We are at risk of losing sight of the very core purpose of intercollegiate athletics, at least at the Division I level," he emphasized.
The panel, which included prominent sports figures like Kansas City Chiefs hall-of-famer Nick Lowery, former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck and sports executive Peter Roby, explored the seismic shifts transforming collegiate sports. At the heart of their discussion was a growing concern about how monetary interests are reshaping athletic programs. The conversation referenced recent developments like Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules and the transfer portal, which Stoute argued "distract from sports' traditional character-building role." He continued, "Athletics is not merely a competitive endeavor but a critical mechanism for student development and character formation."
Nick Lowery echoed these concerns, noting that the professionalization of sports is causing fundamental values like teamwork, persistence, and character development to "take a back seat to money."
Peter Roby, who has held numerous leadership positions in sports including roles as a coach, athletic director, and NCAA consultant, suggested that universities are facing "hard choices" that could potentially deviate from higher education's core mission.
The panel, titled "Perspectives: The Cultural and Economic Impact of Sports," was hosted by the University of Toledo and The Toledo Blade. It was moderated by David Shribman, a Pulitzer Prize-winning, nationally syndicated columnist and executive editor emeritus of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
Click here to watch the full discussion.
