Letters: When the tail wags the dog

Among the many issues in the debacle at the University of Missouri — and there are many — the football team’s position seems to have been decisive: refusing to practice or play until the Mizzou president resigned. Published speculation emphasized looming revenue loss, though loss of face in the newly acquired SEC membership may have played a part.

So, is it possible that a “major” state university’s core values and teaching, research and service have been compromised in some way by dependence on football and basketball revenue, and sports prowess?

Crucially, does the tail now begin to wag the dog in NCAA Division 1 revenue-producing sports?

This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 12:55 PM.