Herbert wants athletics in proper context of University

IU President Adam Herbert loves sports. \nHe held season tickets for the Miami Heat and the Jacksonville Jaguars when he lived in Florida, and he's even made trips to the Super Bowl and Final Four.\nBut for Herbert, academics still come first at the University level.\nAlthough he might not be as outspoken as former IU President Myles Brand, Herbert said he is on the same page with Brand concerning the role of intercollegiate athletics. He said IU must continue to make sure athletics remain in the proper context of the University.\n"With athletics, the challenge is to ensure that the tail does not wag the dog," Herbert said. "Academics must always come first."\nIn his first months in office, Herbert has already shown his interest in the IU athletic teams. He has talked with all the coaches as a group to discuss the expectations and rules of IU athletics, and now he has plans to speak with each coach individually in order to discuss the role of the particular sport in more detail. \nAnd from a fan's perspective, he has attended several sporting events so far.\nAlong with his time spent as a spectator, Herbert has extensive experience with the administrative aspect of college athletics. Before arriving at IU, Herbert served as member on the Knight Foundation Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, as well as chairman of the NCAA Division II President's Council. \nIn light of recent college athletic scandals, like the suspension of Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett and the murder charges surrounding the men's basketball team at Baylor University, Herbert said he believes institutional control is especially important in maintaining the ethical and moral standards of athletics. \n"We need to be consistent with the core values of the institution," he said. "We comply fully with NCAA regulations."\nIn order to make sure the IU athletic department stays clean, Herbert said he and Athletic Director Terry Clapacs plan on working closely with one another. \nClapacs said a close relationship between the president and athletic director is necessary in order to ensure the University follows NCAA regulations. He also said it's necessary for the athletes and coaches to see that the president supports the athletic director and will back him up if certain changes need to be made along the way.\nMurray Sperber, an IU professor of English and American Studies, recently released the book "Beer & Circus: How Big-Time College Sports is Crippling Undergraduate Education."\nOver the past 15 years, Sperber said the NCAA has urged presidents to take more control over athletics. But despite the NCAA's attempts, Sperber said many presidents still do not assume a large role.\n"(Presidents) may not know much about sports, but they recognize that this is a highly irrational area and if you mess with it, it's at your peril," Sperber said.\nAlthough Herbert and Clapacs said they want to maintain a close relationship, Sperber said if they come too close, problems could arise. He said he believes the relationship between the two could be more effective if a system of checks and balances was imposed.\nBut in order for Herbert to be successful, Sperber said he should stick to the basics.\n"It seems what (Herbert) should do is what his predecessors did: Don't cheat, make sure the coaches run a clean program and that there are no scandals," he said.\nWhen it comes to sports, it won't be all work and no play for Herbert. He said he plans to continue attending events throughout the year -- both at home and on the road -- and his support won't favor the teams that generate the most money. Herbert said he intends to divide his time between the men and women's teams at each level.\nAlong with providing entertainment, Herbert said sports allow students to put things into perspective and provide them with lessons in leadership and teamwork.\n"You can't win everything," he said. "So how you handle victory as well as defeat is equally important."\nAnd while Herbert said he misses watching Jacksonville's team, he's willing to compromise now that IU is his home.\n"I guess now I have two favorite teams -- the Jaguars and the Colts," he said.\n-- Contact senior writer Colin Kearns at cmkearns@indiana.edu.