In the late 1980's, the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics (funded by the Knight Foundation) was formed in reaction to a number of scandals (recruiting violations, graduation rates under 30%, and severely under-educated athletes) that negatively impacted the public's perception of higher education and college athletics. Congress became concerned and there was a possibility they might get involved in some sort or regulation of college sports.

"It was an effort by University presidents," explained Executive Director Amy P. Perko, "to say, 'Let's clean up our act and let's show that college presidents can get this on the right path.' And the right path needs to be through presidential control with an emphasis on academic integrity, fiscal integrity and a certification process to verify that integrity." The work of the Commission culminated in the publication of a 1991 report that implored university presidents and chancellors to take control of college sports.

In an interesting (though somewhat meandering) article, the Kansas City Star's Blair Kerkhoff wonders whether or not presidents have gotten too involved. "In its update in 2001," writes Kerkhoff,

position papers portrayed an ideal college sports world, some might say mythical, but at least provided a moral compass for presidents, who, as [Kansas Chancellor]Hemenway said, “used to hide behind a firewall when something went wrong.”

Presidents no longer dive for cover. When it comes to major sports issues, they’re more often seen front and center, in some cases at their own peril.

Does that mean presidents have taken their eye off the ball when it comes to reform?

Perhaps.