Univ. Of Memphis Creates Independent Research Institute

The Univ. of Memphis has announced the creation of the College Sport Research Institute (CSRI), “citing a need for research on college sports conducted independently of the NCAA,” according to Mark Alesia of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR.  CSRI Dir Richard Southall said that “relying on the NCAA to research college sports is like relying on the airline industry to research Boeing.”  Although Southall is also a member of the Drake Group, an organization of academics that “often clashes with the NCAA,” he said the new institute does not have “an agenda other than the open exchange of knowledge.” The institute will sponsor a conference next year and a peer-reviewed publication called the Journal of Issues on Intercollegiate Athletics (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/19). The following lists the CSRI board members.