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The Gospel According to Sonny Chronicle of Higher Ed July 28, 2010 If bookshelves reveal a person's character, consider the home library of Sonny Vaccaro, the man credited with revolutionizing-and destroying-youth basketball.

U.S.C. President-Elect Cleans House New York Times July 21, 2010 The University of Southern California swiftly rebuked the key figures who helped land its athletic program on probation, firing the athletic director Mike Garrett, returning Reggie Bush's Heisman Trophy, and beefing up the compliance staff. The university also plans to remove from campus jerseys and murals of Bush and the basketball star O. J. Mayo.  The university's president-elect, Max Nikias, announced the moves Tuesday in a letter he sent to university boosters. They are effective Aug. 3, when Nikias replaces Dr. Steven Sample, who is retiring.

Judge Rules Against Quinnipiac U. in Title IX Case Chronicle of Higher Education July 21, 2010 A federal judge in Connecticut has ruled that Quinnipiac University violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 by failing to provide equal opportunities for athletics participation to female students, and has called for Quinnipiac to produce within 60 days a plan detailing how it will come into compliance for the 2010-11 academic year.  The ruling also said that a varsity cheerleading team, which the university had said it would create next year, may not be considered a varsity sport for purposes of complying with federal gender-equity law.

Share of College Spending for Recreation Is Rising New York Times July 9, 2010 American colleges are spending a smaller share of their budgets on instruction, and more on recreational facilities for students and on administration, according to a new study of college costs.  The report, based on government data, documents a growing stratification of wealth across America's system of higher education.  At the top of the pyramid are private colleges and universities, which educate a small portion of the nation's students, while public universities and community colleges serve greater numbers, have fewer resources and are seeing tuitions rise most rapidly.

Is cheerleading a sport? Federal lawsuit in Connecticut could clarify Title IX guidelines Associated Press June 20, 2010 A federal judge is being asked to decide whether cheerleading can be counted as a sport by schools looking for ways to meet gender-equity requirements.  The issue is part of a lawsuit filed by five members of the volleyball team at Connecticut's Quinnipiac University and coach Robin Sparks last year after the school decided in a budgetary move to eliminate women's volleyball in favor of a competitive cheer squad.

Knight Commission Calls for College Sports Reform, Recommends Public Transparency of Finances and New Financial Incentives News Release June 17, 2010 Following an 18-month study of college sports finances, the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics released today a report that calls for financial reforms in college sports. It includes three principles for reining in spending: 1) requirefinancial reports be public and transparent; 2) reward institutions that make academic values a priority; and, 3) treat athletes as students first and foremost-not as professionals.

Reformers blast runaway spending in college sports Associated Press June 17, 2010 With spending on big-time college sports continuing to escalate and TV networks lining up to break the bank, a group of university presidents and campus leaders says it's past time for more of that money to wind up in the classroom.  The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics on Thursday released its latest call for a range of financial and academic reforms. Among its recommendations: NCAA schools should set aside at least 20 percent of the postseason money received from the football Bowl Championship Series for academic use.

College and Hospital Combine Forces to Revitalize Site New York Times June 15, 2010 In the next three to five years, Franklin & Marshall College and Lancaster General Health plan to transform their 77-acre industrial swath of Lancaster's northwest section into an "eds and meds" corridor. The college plans to turn its 47-acre share of the parcel into athletic fields and a football stadium. Lancaster General's plans include relocating its nursing school to the property.

IRS audits of schools might delve into salaries of coaches USA Today May 24, 2010 The IRS has begun audits of more than 30 colleges that could include examinations of how schools determine the compensation of highly paid employees, including coaches and athletic administrators, according to an agency report.  The audits could include scrutiny of business activities that potentially can be seen as unrelated to schools' primary purpose.  Among the activities is the sale of corporate sponsorship packages that include athletics or are arranged by athletic departments.

University of Washington's Emmert to take over NCAA presidency Seattle Post-Intelligencer April 27, 2010 University of Washington President Mark Emmert will become the new president of the NCAA.  The NCAA Executive Committee made the announcement Tuesday.  He is expected to take over duties from Interim President James L. Isch no later than Nov. 1, according the NCAA news release. Isch assumed the role after Myles Brand's death in September 2009.

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