THESE words from our University's founder, Thomas Jefferson, are emblazoned above the entrance to the AFC: "Give about two hours a day to exercise, for health must not be sacrificed to learning. A strong body makes the mind strong." Jefferson recognized the relationship between mental and physical fortitude: Mr. Jefferson knew that healthy, youthful vigor could not be limited or isolated either to the classroom or the playing field. In the spirit of the Enlightenment era of which he was a product, Thomas Jefferson proudly espoused the unification of intellectual agility with athletic prowess in the lives of his students.
Likewise, the NCAA prides itself on the reputations of its "student athletes." The NCAA has spent millions of dollars promoting its idea of the student athlete and working through educational institutions to propagate the ideals inherent in athletic competition that spill over into America's classrooms. The NCAA, like our founder, ostensibly believes in the unity of an active mind and body.
According to a recent ruling from the NCAA's governing board, all Jefferson Scholars are ineligible to compete in varsity sports because the scholarship money comes from Alumni Hall -- a source outside the University. Those student-scholars who earn a stipend bearing Mr. Jefferson's name at his University are being denied their opportunity to prove the validity of his statement that "a strong body makes the mind strong." In effect, the NCAA is asking Jefferson Scholars to choose between a scholarship to the University and the sport that they love.
The NCAA has ruled that if -- and only if -- the Jefferson Scholar Foundation agrees to institutionalize their scholarships (that is, the program must be administered through the Office of Financial Aid), then -- and only then -- will Jeff Scholar-athletes be allowed to compete in varsity sports. Due to the NCAA's unwillingness to compromise with the Athletic Compliance Office, the ball is now in the hands of the Board of Directors of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation. The Board has found itself in a Catch-22. On one hand, they risk the potential of losing some of their autonomy to the Financial Aid Office. On the other, they risk letting the NCAA restrict what type of student they have in their program by eliminating serious student-athletes from accepting the scholarship.
The prestige of the scholar-athlete is reinforced by the Rhodes Scholarship. Arguably the most prestigious scholarship program in the world, one of its requirements -- beyond the highest academic standards -- is a fondness and proficiency in sports. Like Thomas Jefferson, Cecil Rhodes knew that a strong body and mind are inseparable. Not by coincidence, Jefferson Scholars have received three out of the last four Rhodes Scholarships awarded to University students. Though athletic ability is not a specific component in winning a Jefferson Scholarship, clearly the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, and the University, should seek to recruit students to whom physical and academic discipline go hand in hand.
It is unfair to both the students involved and the Jefferson Scholars Foundation that the NCAA is completely unwilling to consider a compromise to this situation. But given the NCAA's intransigence, the Board has been left with only one reasonable response: The right course of action for the Board is to institutionalize the scholarship. It is regrettable that the NCAA is forcing the University's brightest athletes to sacrifice their scholarship funding, but it is in the best interests of the Jefferson Scholars program and the University community to capitulate to the NCAA's demands.
In accordance with the standards for student merit recognized around the globe, multifaceted and multidimensional education should continue to be a hallmark of learning at the University. The NCAA is threatening to restrict some student athletes from exercising their bodies and minds, and the Jefferson Scholars program has a responsibility to the University and its students to defend the importance of sports and scholastic excellence. Neither the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, nor the University, can afford to lose one or two scholar-athletes every year until the program is institutionalized.
The Jefferson Scholars Foundation chooses students who demonstrate excellence and exceptional potential in the areas of leadership, scholarship and citizenship; the scholarship is based on its recipients' abilities to contribute to many different aspects of the University community. The NCAA would like to impede upon the autonomy of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation and its most well rounded student-athletes, but with the help of the Board, Jefferson Scholars can and will continue undeterred to distinguish themselves and the University both on and off the field.
(Jason Bernd is a third-year Engineering student, wrestler and Jefferson Scholar. Andy Oldham is a third-year College student and Jefferson Scholar.)
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