We're feeding the football frenzy

Because the Oak Park area is surrounded by several colleges and universities, it is important to take stock of the Penn State situation. As an avid college football fan, I have been so disheartened and jaded by the Penn State community's reaction to the NCAA sanctions handed down last week that I am seriously contemplating taking a 2012 hiatus from college sports.

I honestly can't help but feel that I, along with millions of other Americans, continue to perpetuate the culture that college athletics is king.

At the end of the day, money and bowl bids win over everything else. That's not unique to Penn State — it's everywhere. We say we're outraged now, but in a few short weeks, every Saturday we will buy tickets, paint our faces, tailgate, turn on ESPN Gameday, and line up to complain about the need for a playoff.

Dr. Emmert has it right — it's time for university and college presidents to take back higher education on campuses across America.

As long as we walk through the turnstiles by the millions every Saturday, then college coaches will continue to be the most powerful people in the state.

Dave Naze
Oak Park