A coaches' influence
Not to take too big of a quantum leap here, but stick with me on this. It has been pretty widely accepted that a successful athletic program boosts pride in the student body and the institutional alumni. Those alums are the ones making financial contributions to the institution and those contributions are used for everything from building construction to funding the research that may go on in those buildings. Who knows what great and valuable things that happen in those buildings or what comes from that research. Any athletic programs apppearance on TV is potentially the greatest commercial that the institution can afford. Imagine how much UConn would have to pay for 2 hours of TV commercials. Instead THEY get paid to be on TV. I've often tried to convince principals (some agree and some don't) that it is no different in high school. While what goes on in the classroom may be more important in the grand scheme of life (somewhat debatable) the results of a students math test is ...