A new study shows the percentage of black coaches of big-time basketball and football teams lags far behind both the percentage of black athletes on those teams and the percentage of head coaches in professional leagues for those sports. Some feel racial attitudes, a strong old-boy network, and black coaches' low profiles are barriers to hiring…

In its annual convention, the National Collegiate Athletic Association approved details of an organizational restructuring, granted athletes the right to work during the academic year, and offered fifth-year eligibility to students unable to compete in their freshman year. More trust was experienced by delegates than in previous years. Students…

In 1996, Oregon State University had the highest athlete graduation rate in the country, at 95%. Neither faculty nor alumni are impressed with the rate because the athletic teams are not performing well. The athletic director is committed to improving athletics while recruiting bright athletes and rigorously maintaining academic standards. (MSE)

Incidents of point-shaving and placing and accepting bets are evidence that professional gamblers are influencing college sports and campus life. Because of student athletes' competitive nature, they may be more likely to engage in gambling. The National Collegiate Athletic Association and individual colleges are examining and addressing this…

A National Collegiate Athletic Association study has found that the average athlete on a top college football or men's basketball team enters college in the bottom quarter of his class. Critics say the pursuit of success in athletics is corrupting higher education. Some attribute this pattern to racial bias in testing that skews athletes' test…

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will loosen its academic standards for college athletes with learning disabilities. By agreement with the Justice Department, the NCAA will certify special education classes offered to high school students with learning disabilities toward its initial-eligibility requirements, rather than…

The National Women's Law Center alleges that 25 colleges and universities are violating federal anti-discrimination law (Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972) by giving female athletes a disproportionately small amount of sports-related financial aid. In 1995-96, 27 institutions achieved "substantial proportionality" in financial…

As colleges cut men's athletics to provide more opportunity for female athletes and comply with federal mandates, male athletes are feeling shock and frustration. Since 1982, over one-third of colleges sponsoring wrestling have dropped their programs and men's gymnastics teams have decreased by half. Still, one study indicates only 10% of…