Under the Friday-night lights, the Ohio football team was victorious over the Big East's Pittsburgh Panthers. At the Bobcats' first nationally televised game in more than three decades -as well as the team's home opener -Ohio rose to the occasion and secured an impressive win on national television. The victory is a momentous success for the team, the university and the local area. However, the season is far from over and the challenges ahead are many. This is certainly no time for resting on laurels, but it is cause for celebration nonetheless.
This warning is not intended to cast a dark cloud over the frenzied atmosphere surrounding the Bobcats' victory, which was arguably one of the biggest in school history. Also, the players should take great pride in how the team performed. However, this is only one win. Moreover, stiffer competition lies ahead. If the Frank Solich-led Bobcats can put themselves on the map this year, it will be worth celebrating. Fans of Ohio should celebrate every win but also remember that the rebuilding of the football program will not happen overnight. It is important to give the coaches and players time to improve, and not suddenly expect too much out of the new coach. A one-year turnaround is not a certainty, but the team surely can use the victory as a foundation to continue the rebirth for which all Ohio fans are pulling.
Despite the victory, the administration should pursue athletic prowess carefully. According to a 2004 report from the Knight Foundation Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, the correlation between athletic prominence and admissions and fund raising is often exaggerated and overemphasized. With that in mind, OU's administration should not always equate athletic success with overall improvement. The two goals are not codependent, and the long-term emphasis should include not only improving sports programs but also stressing an institutional commitment to academic excellence. But for now, Bobcat fans can savor an improbable and impressive win.
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