Campus Highlight: Kansas University Men's Basketball Team

(Each Monday during the academic year, I feature a "Campus Highlight": a unique, interesting, and noteworthy student organization, program, or initiative that demonstrates the amazing things college students do each and every day across the country.)

Even though I blogged about this topic a few weeks ago, I only did so generally -- and without mentioning Kansas University (Lawrence, KS).

For the third year in a row, the KU men's basketball team has reached the Final Four in the InsideHigherEd.com Academic Performance Tournament. (And, in fact, they won the entire thing this year and in 2010!) While the fun of the play-offs is increasing as the number of remaining teams dwindles, it's great to know that the KU team has maintained better-than-average academic standards for its men's basketball team. Way to go, guys!

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Campus Highlight: MSU and UNC's Men's Basketball Teams

(Each Monday during the academic year, I feature a "Campus Highlight": a unique, interesting, and noteworthy student organization, program, or initiative that demonstrates the amazing things college students do each and every day across the country.)

Given the tragic story that emerged from Penn. State last week, I wanted to use this week's Campus Highlight to focus on the positive and admirable aspects that college athletics has to offer. In honor of Veterans Day, the Michigan State University and University of North Carolina men's basketball teams played each other in a unique setting on November 11: on board the USS Carl Vinson in California.

The game highlighted some of the best aspects of college athletics: Teamwork. Sportsmanship. Pride. Leadership. Community connections. Even showmanship. As riots broke out at Penn. State, the hardworking men and women of the USS Carl Vinson prepared their ship for a major event. And the student athletes of MSU and UNC got ready to put on a great game. Thanks!

A very special thank you and acknowledgment, then, to the MSU and UNC men's basketball players. Even though the national spotlight was somewhere else, you played a great game and showed how awesome students can be in the amazing things they do every day.

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