"> No one is saying athletics have no place in university.
burgerbrain seems to be saying this"
Absolutely incorrect. I merely believe they should not receive disproportionate funding, compared to other non-academic clubs; and assert that like other non-academic clubs, they should play absolutely no role in acceptance.
"Tie in differently, not better"
BULLSHIT. Journalism (newspaper club) is a respected academic study. Tackling dudes on a lawn over a ball is not. Drama, debate, and music are similarly intellectual endeavours, not sports.
"What I am saying is that sports do educate people"
Spoken like a true meathead. Even if they did educate, which is a laughable claim, they have no place in the curriculum of universities.