NBC sportscaster Bob Costas visited campus last night as the keynote speaker for the University Honor Council's Integrity Week. His presentation, which was largely based on questions from the audience, addressed myriad issues pertaining to integrity in sports and sports media.
"My goal is to make you aware that integrity is an important component of everything we do," Costas said to a large audience in Irvine Auditorium.
Costas began his career with NBC in 1979. He has since won numerous awards for his work in broadcasting and is best known for his coverage of baseball and the Olympics. Costas also hosts On the Record on HBO.
One particularly pertinent topic he addressed was the racy lead-in to this week's Monday Night Football game involving the Philadelphia Eagles' Terrell Owens and Desperate Housewives actress Nicollette Sheridan.
Costas made the point that one must consider "what is appropriate in a given context." What may be acceptable on Desperate Housewives, he said, might well be inappropriate for an audience expecting to see football.
According to Costas, this incident reflects a disturbing trend in entertainment as a whole.
"A lot of what we're getting is so dumbed down," he said, adding that "gratuitous belligerence is everywhere."
"Young athletes," he said, "might think that they are being edgy, or real. ... We've confused schtick for style."
Costas also commented on the corruption of college athletics, specifically the special treatment of and lax academic standards for some athletes. While he noted that "big-time college sports are pretty close to irredeemable," he suggested solutions such as eliminating freshman eligibility and creating better minor league systems for athletes.
Student reactions were mixed on Costas' prescription for college sports. Many admired his ideas but, like Costas, doubted that the plans could be implemented.
Other topics Costas addressed include the gambling-related exclusion of baseball great Pete Rose from the Hall of Fame, the commercialization of sports, the use of performance-enhancing drugs and the difficult task sportscasters must face in balancing honest reporting with the conflicting agenda of their employers.
Costas repeatedly induced laughter with anecdotes about broadcasting mishaps and his often sardonic comments on trends in the media and society.
Students enjoyed both Costas' personality and his presentation. College sophomore Dave Linder remarked that "he didn't hold back."
"I think the guy's hilarious," he added.
College senior and former UHC Co-Chairwoman Caitlin O'Neil echoed those sentiments, saying, "He really spoke to the audience."
College junior and current UHC Co-Chairwoman Rachel Kohn said that Costas was selected to give the keynote address because "we were looking for someone who could address a different type of integrity. ... Everyone can relate to sports."
The Connaissance division of the Social Planning and Events Committee joined the UHC in bringing Costas to speak.
Former Integrity Week speakers include Patch Adams and Erin Brockovich.
