Well, that's a cynical view, which the "current environment encourages", although pretty much on target. No, there is nothing wrong with being entertained. I have known a number of actual college football players personally--Wisconsin, NU, NC, ND, Nebraska, as I'm sure you have as well. I would be very surprised if any of them would say their football experience was not a character building experience. I would also be very surprised if Fitz would say that. A small sample to be sure, but you can (and probably should) separate the experience of the player from the experience of the fan. Most if not all the best universities have strong athletic programs across the board, as well as strong intramural programs. Reason being, to educate well rounded people and help to build character. Football and basketball are not the exceptions to that, they are (perhaps extreme) extensions of that. Why not at least try, have this over-arching goal? If we give in to what the current environment encourages, might as well not even have universities.