I’m not disputing that there are significant costs associated with an athletic program.

What I think is odd for BYUI, and frankly sad, is practically every other university of its size (and a huge amount far smaller), elect to field competitive athletic programs. A great many do not have anything resembling what would be BYUI’s built-in recruiting advantages either.

People keep going there, sure. Good for them. To me, it’s a significant detriment to the school, such that I’ve had zero interest in BYUI for my kids, etc.

I think we go in the wrong direction when we elect not to even engage with the rest of the world, particularly in something like competitive sports. Athletic programs build alumni loyalty, can greatly enhance the college experience, and offer the university a platform from which to sell itself. When we decline to participate and retreat into our own insular community, it only fuels people’s negative perceptions. We remain weird in a great many, if not most, people’s eyes.