ASU's most recent controversy has been with Grand Canyon University, a for-profit institution that is in the process of upgrading from Division II athletics to Division I.
This will put GCU on a level playing field with ASU Athletics and create competition in the Phoenix market that did not exist there before. ASU has monopolized college athletics in the Valley for decades, and GCU is about to become the trailblazer that changes that.
President Michael Crow has made it clear that he does not support for-profit universities shifting to Division I athletics, as it will allow GCU to benefit financially without contributing to the economy the way that ASU does — through research.
Not only has Crow expressed his lack of support, but all matches scheduled between ASU and GCU have been canceled.
GCU will now have access to recruits previously guaranteed to ASU with its new presence in the Phoenix pool — and is that such a bad thing? Yes, there's the probability that some funds originally garnered by ASU Athletics will move to the new Division I institution, but a little competition would hardly harm ASU. Not enough to have the University's president sounding off against the move.
ASU's 70,000-plus student population and millions of dollars in research investment surely could not be debunked by a private Christian university, not to mention our strong following of college sport enthusiasts.
Perhaps this is the way that college sports are moving — other Pac-12 teams will be playing GCU, but ASU gets the privilege of avoiding a single match? Both schools are accredited — you can achieve a bachelor's or master's degree at either. Current and former Sun Devils would likely be of the opinion that a degree from ASU (which has top-notch research facilities) is worth more than that of GCU (which, according to ASU officials, spends more money on marketing than research initiatives.) But, at the end of the day, anyone could make a similar argument against ASU in comparison to some other out-of-state university.
It's a matter of confidence that ASU will be chosen by recruits over GCU. With retired Suns player Dan Majerle as the Antelopes' basketball coach, it may seem the more attractive pick; but ASU's prestige and history ought to weigh a bit more.
Even with the allowance of Division I, GCU does not have a football team and therefore will not compete in Division I football — the sport that seems to garner the most ASU fandom.
We have the potential to be more gracious about GCU's promotion. Regardless of whether ASU is willing to play the Antelopes or not, the team has been welcomed to Division I. It's time to accept our new competition and get ready for a little bit of healthy rivalry.
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