The Knight Commission’s policy is to refrain from commenting on issues at a specific institution, which includes the sanctions recently announced for Penn State University’s football program. However, the Knight Commission believes this is an appropriate moment to comment more broadly on the current state of college athletics.
Recent action by the NCAA, including today’s announcement of unprecedented sanctions, and the recent adoption of stronger academic standards, are signals that a new level of accountability is being asserted. The integrity of higher education is at stake and the system must demand accountability that will place educational values and priorities above winning sports teams. The Knight Commission continues to advocate for the national policy changes in its Restoring the Balance report that will help put athletics in its proper perspective. As we work toward a new era of accountability, much work remains.