Following Nicholls loss, Kansas law professor suggests dramatic move for football program
Kansas football has been in the doldrums for years, and an embarrassing season-opening overtime loss to Nicholls has left one Jayhawk professor suggesting a dramatic move.
The Jayhawks on Saturday fell to Nicholls in their season opener in a game most expected them to win. It’s another loss for a program already in the shadows of the nationally successful men’s basketball program.
This is considered a make-or-break year for coach David Beatty, who has won less than three games in each of his previous three seasons at the helm. Kansas last won three games in 2013, and haven’t won as many as five games since 2009 under Mark Mangino.
Corey Rayburn Yung, a law school professor, suggested Sunday morning in a series of tweets that the university spend money in other places around the “cash-strapped university.” Saturday’s loss was a tipping point for Yung, who admitted some Big 12 obligations, but wanted to join other schools who focus solely on basketball.
“Life-altering injuries and cumulative brain damage are inevitable,” he wrote. “Wouldn’t this money be better spent elsewhere.”
The Jayhawks have played in just four bowl games since 2003, and none since 2008.
What's the argument for continuing KU football (serious question)? It's an enormous money loser for a cash-strapped university. Life-altering injuries and cumulative brain damage are inevitable. Wouldn't this money be better spent elsewhere (e.g. more scholarships)?
— Corey Rayburn Yung (@CoreyRYung) September 2, 2018
Certainly, there are Big XII obligations, but shouldn't KU explore other options? Why can't we join the 100's of other Div. 1 basketball schools that don't have a football team? The basketball team is enormously profitable and can subsidize other sports.
— Corey Rayburn Yung (@CoreyRYung) September 2, 2018
Continuing to charge KU students higher fees to support the football team (the biggest drain on KU's athletic budget) just seems wrong. With yesterday's loss to Nicholls St., it seems like an appropriate time to ask: why have a football team?
— Corey Rayburn Yung (@CoreyRYung) September 2, 2018