Sports personality Bob Costas will be coming to Penn Nov. 18 to headline Academic Integrity Week, an annual series of events promoting academic honesty hosted by the University Honor Council.
"He is someone who appeals to everyone universally," UHC Co-Chairwoman and College junior Rachel Kohn said. "Everyone can relate to sports ethics."
Yet, many students said they are not familiar with the longtime sportscaster.
"I think it wouldn't appeal [to most students], because most people wouldn't know who he was unless they watch sports," said College sophomore and women's club soccer team captain Amanda Graham, who said she has watched Costas' show.
Others questioned Costas' connection to the topic of integrity.
"Integrity is inherently important to journalism in general, but how much it applies to sports journalism, I'm not sure," College junior Andrew Gray said.
However, some students disagreed, saying that Costas would have something to bring to the table.
"He may be a good person to speak on [integrity], because I'm sure he has had his integrity challenged many times," College junior Katie Boeck said.
Others said Costas would be able to address specific integrity issues in the sports industry.
"I want to know what he thinks about steroids in baseball," College sophomore David Berger said.
Costas has been a fixture at NBC since 1979 and has covered all major sports, but is most noted for his coverage of the Olympics and baseball. He currently hosts his own HBO show called On the Record with Bob Costas.
Costas is "respected in the industry, so I'm sure anything he has to say on those issues would carry a lot of weight with fans," College senior Justin Bogatch said.
The Social Planning and Events Committee's Connaissance group facilitated Costas' upcoming appearance. Past Integrity Week speakers have included Patch Adams and Bob Woodward.
