Consider what might be accomplished if local and state residents gave as much attention and involvement to issues such as education, good government, job opportunities and the performance of those in elective office as they give to competitive high school and college sports.

And, if there was time, they might give more attention to national issues such as protecting our national borders, the growing involvement of the federal government in the lives of most Americans, along with education and medical issues.

Competitive sports are good in many ways because they involve a broad slice of society and generate enthusiasm and school spirit that often increase private fiscal support for the schools. They also demonstrate what can be accomplished by team efforts, practice and training, the importance of playing by the rules, the penalties for breaking the rules and the intense joy of winning.

Why not apply these same principles, benefits or positive spin-offs to other team efforts? How about city commission and school board “teams” or maybe the Kansas Board of Regents team or a team called the Kansas Legislature? Shouldn’t there be just as much concern and interest for how theses teams and their team members operate, their wins and losses, the eligibility or performance of the players (officeholders) and the penalties if they do not perform or play their games by the designated rules?

The nation’s near-obsession with sports at all levels continues throughout the year. The current NCAA post-season basketball tournament lasts about three weeks, and, within days, professional major league baseball teams will open their almost-six-month season capped by the World Series. By that time, professional and college football will be underway, closing with bowl games and national championships. And it will be basketball season again. Through the year, there are a host of other sports such as golf, soccer, tennis, hockey, softball, track and field, swimming, winter or summer Olympic games every two years and the television-generated X or extreme games and competition.

Consider the millions of Americans involved in sports at one level or another plus the businesses and their employees who rely on sports to sell their products from beer to jerseys, or the millions of dollars spent on tickets, arenas, scholarships, salaries, playing fields and uniforms, along with the millions won or lost in sports-related gambling.

It’s a huge business, growing bigger and bigger every year.

Economists claim the national economy takes a hit during the NCAA tourney with sports fans taking time off to watch the televised games, workers not paying attention to their jobs and millions who are more concerned about their bracket predictions than their jobs.

The puzzle is how to generate the same degree of interest in education and government and how to develop “winners” and winning teams in these extremely important endeavors. For example, think about the time and money spent by colleges these days to discover, recruit and land superior football and basketball players. Consider the recent attention given to whether a knee injury was going to keep KU’s star basketball player, Perry Ellis, out of several games. Is any similar level of concern given to the health or performance of a KU teacher or researcher or a Kansas legislator or governor?

Do search efforts for major academic players, such as a new dean, at KU measure up in any way to the scouting and recruiting of a top high school athlete? Consider the number of athletic coaches who recruit and use the school’s jet to fly throughout the country looking for talented players. Which is more important: a superior, “five-star” dean who is top in his or her field or a “five star” athletic recruit?

Academic efforts should exceed, or at least match, athletic efforts. Likewise, why not hold those who serve as regents, educators, state legislators, city commissioners, governor, chancellors or school board members just as accountable as we do sports teams and rank them on their performance and achievements?

Could it be sports provide a convenient and enjoyable diversion from the frustration, disappointment and anger often triggered by the actions, or lack of actions, by those in government at the local, state and national levels and in higher education?

It’s OK to fire a coach or dismiss a player for poor performance but far more difficult to fire a chancellor, dean, state legislator, regent or governor for poor performance. In the sports world, disciplinary action is almost immediate where it takes far more time and backbone to trigger dismissals in the academic and government worlds.

Granted, some of the situations mentioned above may be overstated, but the general concern is valid.

Far more public attention, involvement and passion is directed to competitive sports than is directed to local, state and national government and education. There is far more emotion associated with sports than with government and education and far quicker resolve to correct poor performance in sports than in government and education.

In the long run, which is more important?