Essay 1

September 7, 2007
Laura Calderón
Writers Workshop
EAP2 C


American universities should be allowed to spend big amounts of money in sports

Today, in America most of the universities spend huge amounts of money on sports, which have become very important; not only official universities’ teams, but also amateur sports for all the students. This fact has many people that not support this expense because they think that it is useless. However, these people do not think about sports’ positive side. In fact, sports are very beneficial for health, help to keep students and staff away from addictions and are a very good way to achieve school’s unity, so is very important that universities spend enough money on them.

Universities should be allowed to spend a lot of money on sports because they are fundamental for students’ and staffs’ health. At first, practicing sports prevents obesity, which is a big problem in America due to bad nourishment habits and inactivity. In the article “Statistics Related to Overweight and Obesity” the author states that “two-thirds of adults in the U.S. are overweight, and almost one-third are obese”. (2007, para.1). That means that in each university at least half of the students need to lose weight. So, for example, if a student suffers from obesity, but is in a university that offers him the opportunity to play sports, to use a sport center and to have access to professional staff, he will be interested, get involved and lose weight. In addition, losing weight will not only be very good for his health, but will make him feel better about himself. Second, many studies show that practicing sports prevent many diseases like breast and colon cancer, diabetes and heart disease. For example teacher that practice sports regularly will have less chance to suffer heart attack. Consequently, sports are very important for human health and universities should contribute to its practice.

Universities should invest in sports because they help students to avoid addictions. First, students that practice sports smoke less than students that do not practice any sport. The fact of being occupied in other activities keeps them far of tobacco. For example if a student smoker joins the cross country team and gets very involved on it, after a certain time, he will realize that cigarettes do not allow him to run as well as he would like to and will have a good reason to stop smoking. After that, sport keeps students away from drugs and alcohol, which are very harmful. The fact of having and liking a sport, makes students spend their free time on it, so they do not have too much free time for using these substances. For example if a student plays basketball and meets other students that play basketball, too, they can enjoy their free time training and having together instead of being with other people that drink and use drugs for fun. Cigarettes, drugs and alcohol are very much used by students these days and universities, as education institutes, have the responsibility to do all that they can in order to keep their students away from those addictions. Without a doubt, promoting sports is a good solution to this problem.

Finally, universities should spend big amounts of money in sports, because they contribute to reinforce the school’s unity. Sports create a nice environment to meet people and make friends. For example, many freshmen go to the universities and do not know anybody to be with, which can make them feel depressed. If they join a sport’s club or team, they will have the chance to meet new people and start new friendships. Second, sports official teams make students feel part of the university and feel proud of it. For example, when there is a football game everybody gets exited, wear university T-Shirts, watch the match and support their team. Thus sports contribute to create an atmosphere of union and friendship, for these reasons, spending money on them will definitely be beneficial for students and for the whole universities, too.

Opponents to universities’ big expenses on sports claim that instead of spending money in sports, universities should make more investments in technology and academic staff. According to them, students should focus only on their studies and not ion other activities that may make them lose time. However, students should be able to practice other activities and have a social life outside of classes. In the article “Physical Activity” claims sport reduces anxiety, stress and depression. (n.d., para.7) So, if students are relaxed and happy, they will be able to concentrate in class and will have better grades. For example if a student ends classes at three o’clock in the afternoon and plays soccer until four, he will have a time to relax and think about other things, but will still have the time to do homework. In addition investments in sports will make students healthier, which means that they will not need to go to the hospital so often, and as a consequence medical costs will reduce on a long term for the state. Consequently, universities’ sports expenses are not so big as they seem and permit students to focus on their studies, but give them the opportunity of have fun in a healthy way.

In conclusion, American universities should be allowed to spend big amounts of money on sports because it is beneficial for students physical and mental health, keeps them away from addictions such as drugs, alcohol and cigarettes and contributes to school’s unity. For these reasons opponents to those expenses should start thinking about the numerous benefits that sport can bring to American students and universities’ communities. If universities do not make important investments on sports, students will be unhealthy, stressed and probably unhappy, which will be reflected on their grades. For these reasons academic work should be accompanied by sports in order to have excellent, healthy and happy students.





References
Physical activity. (n.d.). World Health Organization. Retrieved September 7, 2007, from: http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/facts/pa.en.

Statistics related to overweight and obesity (May 2007). Weight Control Information Network. Retrieved September 7, 2007, from http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/statistics/index.htm.