Quote of the week

The Ivy League is more about participation and the educational benefits of participating in athletics ... We want the same educational benefits, but we want to compete at a higher level.

That was Northwestern athletic director Mark Murphy speaking to the New York Times after his Wildcats demolished the Penn Lady Laxers in the national semifinal game a few days ago.

Now...

I think interpretations of the comment could go in a couple directions. Either Murphy was: a) Disparaging Ivy League athletics by saying that participation -- not winning -- is all that matters in the League; b) Pointing out a legit contrast between his school and the Ivy League's committment to getting the best athletes; c) Trying to cover up the fact that Northwestern is trying (and failing) to have it both ways; d) Some combination of a), b), and c).

Leaving aside the comments' validity, I think that Murphy needs to pay a lot more attention to what he says. Public statements like that demean Ivy League athletes, no matter what his intentions are.

On whether or not he has a point, I hope to get some official reaction in the coming week, and until then I encourage your feedback and thoughts in the comments section below.