Teacher Questions Athletes’ Schooling

A Tennessee teacher says the university’s athletic department continues to manipulate the academic programs of its athletes in a “system tantamount to institutionalized slavery.”

Linda Bensel-Meyers, director of composition for the English department, reviewed the records of 39 athletes because she believed earlier complaints were only cursorily considered.

She said she found a pattern of questionable practices involving tutoring, grades, course selection and oversight.

She alleges that academic programs within the athletic department are not intended to provide disadvantaged students a better chance at an education. Rather, she claims, the programs are designed to protect the player’s eligibility “for the institution’s financial profit without concern for the athlete’s future welfare.”

Bensel-Meyers said she filed the report to the university’s faculty senate, Provost Jon Peters and other school officials.

University President J. Wade Gilley said in a statement that allegations of academic violations have been reviewed by the university, its general counsel and the NCAA in the past several months.

“In no case have any improprieties been discovered,” the statement said.