Schools for Scandal

The Dysfunctional Marriage of Division I Sports and Higher Education (Sports and American Culture)

By: Sheldon Anderson

Narrated by: Marlin May

For well over a century, big-time college sports has functioned as a business enterprise, one that serves to undermine the mission of institutions of higher education.

This book chronicles the long and tortured history of the NCAA's attempt to maintain the myth of amateurism and the student-athlete, along with the attendant fiction that the players academic achievement is the top priority of Division-I athletic programs. It is an indictment of the current system, making the case that big-time college sports cannot continue its connection to universities without undermining the mission of higher education. It concludes with bold proposals to separate big-time college sports from the university, transforming them into on-campus business operations.

The book is published University of Missouri Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

©2024 The Curators of the University of Missouri (P)2024 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"So well does Schools for Scandals make its points that at times the reader is left dumbstruck by the sheer hubris by those controlling college athletics." (Chris Elzey, George Mason University)

"An extraordinarily honest and compelling book...essential reading." (David K. Wiggins, author of More than a Game)

NCAA corruption, how ways to fix it

"Schools for Scandal" isn't the first book devoted to the monopoly created by the NCAA, but it is well researched and offers possible solutions to fix the many issues that face college football and basketball. The book has three goals, first, expose the corruption that plaques division one athletics. Second, clear up the myths and misconceptions, such as the students come first, and the created term, student athlete. And lastly, suggests changes and reforms that are sorely need.

Anderson demonstrates the many NCAA hypocrites, and while many fans want to continue believing its amateur athletics, the harsh reality is it has become a business and should be treated as such. The days of being loyal to your school are long gone. Coaches will jump when offered more money. Many of the players aren't attending classes, or having their grades fixed to remain eligible to play. With the open-door transfer protocol, athletes have become free agents.

The book examines the pay inequities between football and basketball coaches and tenured professors. Anderson also explains how the rich are getting richer, as the major sports programs are luring talent away from the smaller conferences. Anderson does an outstanding job of shinning a light on blatant racism and sexism in college athletics. Women and minorities are often overlooked for coaching and administrative positions. The book notes that four out of five African Americans will leave their college days in financial debt.

"Schools for Scandal" lists the many examples of egregious cheating, with many of the top programs just receiving slaps on the wrist as punishment. The book includes a quote from a coach stating that nine out of ten universities are cheating, and the other is losing. Anderson lists overt rule violations involving escorts, sexual misconduct, grade fixing, fictitious classes, payments doled out to players and family members, etc.

Anderson offers many steps that can be taken to clean up the problems that plaque the NCAA. For example, the players forming a union would strength their ability to negotiate for their fair share of the money pie. He suggests moving football and basketball operations away from the campuses and treating them as businesses. Universities could still offer players course work and opportunities to earn degrees, but attending classes would become optional.

I recommend "Schools for Scandal" for all fans of college athletics.