...that generates both significant revenue and very difficult-to-quantify goodwill and positive publicity for the school.

As has been alluded to, BYU’s performance in competitive athletics has done more to “normalize” the school, which helps lend worth or credibility to those graduate degrees, than pretty much any other department could ever hope to. Without these programs, in the eyes of very many, BYU is little more a strange, remote school full of weird kids and faculty who most people don’t understand at all.

Get off your academic high horse. Schools benefit tremendously from what student athletes like Ty’son Williams (again an actual student athlete—he earned a degree) bring to the table. If
BYU can’t find him a spot, it’s both embarrassing and counterproductive for my alma mater.