Ohio University is a special place I've fallen in love with during my ten years in Athens. I'm reminded on almost a daily basis of why I am proud to work for the university and live in this wonderful community.
When I try to explain to out-of-town friends and colleagues why this place means so much to me, I describe the beauty of the campus and region, the quality of our students and programs, the sense of community that exists and how theAthens Bubble prevents any of us from quickly going to the grocery store or Farmers Market, because we end up chatting with so many friends and neighbors.
When I attended Ohio's football game at Tennessee this weekend, I was reminded once again about how many other people share my passion for this special place. My family and I exchanged greetings, hugs and high fives with many Bobcats during the weekend.
More importantly, we shared the story of Ohio University with dozens of people we met in Knoxville. I beamed with pride as the Marching 110 once again won halftime along with the hearts of many Tennessee fans. I also got chills and had tears in my eyes as I sangAlma Mater
Ohio with our entire football team and several hundred fans after the game.
It is difficult to objectively capture the impact intercollegiate athletics has on fundraising, admissions, brand awareness, the local economy or on the quality of life for those of us that work and live in this community. However, I can assure you that thousands of people in Tennessee now know a whole lot more about our university, our community and our spirit. And for me, it provided another opportunity to brag about my college, share my passion for the university and create another meaningful family memory.
I don't know anyone, including myself, who believes athletics is a core part of our university's academic mission. Athletics should be kept in perspective and we should ensure that our student-athletes continue to graduate at high rates and represent us well, both on and off the field.
So, to my friends and colleagues on campus that are passionately representing their stakeholders during these challenging times, I'd like to ask a favor. Please stop using Ohio Athletics as an easy scapegoat for the budget challenges we face. We should hold athletics accountable, and it should be part of ongoing budget conversations. However, it is not fair to frame athletics as the key to solving our fundamental budget problems or to ignore the many positive benefits we receive from athletics.
To all faculty, staff, students and community members, I encourage you to attend an upcoming Bobcat athletic event. You will have fun and be extremely proud of the student-athletes that represent our university and community. Go Bobcats!
Chris Moberg is chair of the marketing department in the College of Business 4
Opinion
Letter to the Editor
