I just got this e-mail from SHU president JoAnn Boyle:
"I am delighted to tell you that The Kresge Foundation has announced a $400,000 Challenge Grant to Seton Hill University in support of the Recreation Complex. Thanks to all who helped position us to receive this significant award and special gratitude to Chris Mueseler, the Institutional Advancement Team, Paul Roman, and Paul Edsall for outstanding support in developing the proposal."
A "challenge grant" is a fund-raising strategy that says "we'll give you X dollars if you can get X dollars from other sources."
That's a lot of money. What does it say about the role of athletics at Seton Hill?
can of worms. Yah, that about covers it. I was a bit (how shall I say this politely?) "erked" at the fact that I am only receiving a mere $10,000 a year (the Valedictorian scholarship, mind you) for my 4.2897 GPA; however, I am aware of several sports players that are getting "full-rides" for their spot on a team. Sure, I played softball in high school--I was the only pitcher that we had, and I captained us to the play-offs last year, but I wasn't scouted. (!) So, I get to SHU in August, and all-of-a-sudden, they need a pitcher and come running to me. I'm not interested. It's not only the fact that I won't be getting any money out of the deal, it is an insult to me that I'm an after-thought, a runner-up. Second place is first loser in my book, and I am nobody's second place.
wow, that felt good to get out there :) Sorry about the hostility, but can anyone see why I'd be a bit angry??????
Bringing up the new recreation complex and the role of athletics at SHU is like opening a can of worms. I've noticed that some opinionated students are already addressing these subjects in their blogs.
I've had conversations with my father about Seton Hill's attempt to attract athletes. He insists that SHU is no different than any other school, and athletic programs are just an attempt at attracting more students.
I'd gladly welcome a more diverse student body, but I wonder if we're jeopardizing the education of so many other students by putting such an emphasis on athletics. We're at school, after all -- shouldn't our top priority be academics? A great percentage of student debt could be diminished by that $400K.