My choice to attend the University of Indianapolis was partially due to the belief I would leave the university a more well-rounded person. A half credit course, the “Lecture/Performance Series,” helps students do this.
Although I’m not particularly interested in jazz music or art galleries, the usual events offered for LP credit, I recognize and appreciate the value these events bring to the university and beyond. I believe it’s necessary to experience the unfamiliar and uncomfortable, because that inspires growth. That being said, I can’t understand why athletic events are not included as credits in the Lecture/Performance Series course.
As a sports management major and a lifelong sports fan, I have witnessed and experienced several moments in athletics that have made me a more well-rounded individual. If that is the goal of LP credits, I believe sports should be included. The world of athletics stretches far beyond competition itself. It teaches discipline, teamwork and resilience. Even for those not actively playing the sport, there is pride and comradery in rooting for a team that you feel you belong to. Surely this involvement in rooting for fellow Greyhounds is beneficial to a comprehensive student experience.
Furthermore, learning the rules of a sport is valuable in itself. When I watched my first UIndy theater production, I was introduced to multiple facets of the show I hadn’t previously considered. For example, I witnessed people doing lights, organizing sets and assisting with costumes. All those parts created a performance that introduced me to new ideas, leaving me a more versatile student. I can now see past the actors in a play and see valuable skills like teamwork and communication. Similarly, when you watch a football game, you can learn that the quarterback and the linebackers have very different jobs, but they are both important in order to have success. Understanding that people have to collaborate and cooperate in order to achieve success is a transferable skill.
Athletics are also valuable in a cultural sense. From football tailgates to 7th inning stretches in baseball, there is tradition in sports that is relevant to developing culturally aware individuals. Sports allow people to look past their differences, act as a beacon for change and inspire community. A person who understands this phenomena is far more receptive and open-minded than a person who would write sports off as juvenile competition, and that is what makes a well-rounded person. However, a large part of understanding those aspects of sports comes from attending games and experiencing the atmosphere.
I understand that the arts are often under-appreciated when compared to athletics, and the LP credit course works to combat this. However, I still believe that if the goal of this course is to foster well-rounded students, adding athletic events to the LP catalog should be considered.
