Every year about this time, somebody or the New York Times dusts off old numbers and again concludes that college sports exploit student-athletes – taking what they can give, selling millions of tickets, souvenirs and seatbacks and soliciting additional donations, completely cashing in on all the excitement, feasting on profits, then failing to deliver the implied reward, an education.

College administrators in fingertip touch with reality don’t say much. Professorial types atop ivory towers (graduate assistants, down below, do the teaching) shake their heads in dismay. So many scholarships, so few diplomas.

Now and then, somebody does something. Richard M. Southall is removing his College Sports Research Institute from the University of Memphis because the Tigers aren’t exactly buffing their academic image.

Incidentally, until the departure announcement, I didn’t realize Richard or the research institute were in Memphis. I have no idea what they have accomplished for the good of mankind.

Year after year, my humble research in Big Orange Country, mostly east of Memphis, reveals a cold, blunt, Oakland-type academic attitude: Just win, baby. Fans aren’t terribly concerned about whether Volunteers are black or white or Chinese. It is good if they can sign autographs and not say “uhh” during TV interviews. What really matters are frequent Southeastern Conference championships. And some nationals.

Tennessee fans smile and nod their approval of community service by Volunteers. Fans are strongly opposed to negative publicity, especially news of arrests. Most prefer to win honestly. They still cast aspersions at Alabama for buying football players – and getting caught.

I do believe that most Tennessee fans want to be proud of old Vols forever and ever, amen. They care about character and morals and where are they now. Some, just a few, express modest concern about those who do not graduate.

When I raised the question of higher learning, two in my small e-mail circle selected Demetrice Morley as their poster person. He excelled at University High non-School in Miami, was miraculously accepted at Tennessee and somehow made it past the NCAA clearing house. After several significant accomplishments on the football field and not so many in classrooms, Morley was ushered out. The exit visa was called lack of academic progress. He was redirected to Pellissippi State, rehabilitated and readmitted as a Vol defensive back.

Idealists say young people go to school to learn. Realists say they go to prepare to earn a better living. Cynics say a few million up front from a pro team might guarantee a brighter future than four years in liberal arts. LeBron James-types who skip college distort this discussion.

Morley has a chance to be more than an interesting cultural statistic. He can play. And, he says he’s learning to study. And he greatly appreciates this second chance. When he made it back into the locker room, he knelt for a prayer of thanksgiving.

It is possible to win big in both worlds. Since the coming of Pat Head Summit, Tennessee women’s basketball leads America in academic and athletic achievement. Tennessee football is above average. Tennessee men’s basketball is under-degreed, if that’s a word. The university is working on the challenge. Thornton Center for bonus learning is state of the art.

OK, it took a hit when several football Vols missed the bowl game.

Actually, Volunteers have a pretty good record in playing well while going to school. Lang Wiseman is a perfect example. Back in the early 1990s, he averaged 10 or 12 points in baskets and 4.0 in finance. He was three times academic All-American, the Anson Mount national scholar-athlete.

Before that, Bert Ackermann snapped the football on the correct count, blocked his man without holding, earned excellent grades, won two Herman Hickman scholarships and created a company.

In more recent times, quarterback Peyton Manning (remember him?) and tackle Michael Munoz graduated early and won the Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy as the country’s top scholar athlete. Center Bob Johnson achieved scholastic immortality. He’s on the all-time academic All-America team. Best I recall, he wasn’t too bad in football.

Through the years, football Volunteers have received large headlines for trouble and small headlines for good grades in strong subjects. Once upon a time, tackle Charley Rader was very good in chemistry, guard Bill Johnson in business administration, tackle Mack Gentry in accounting, safety Tim Priest and tackle Tim Irwin in pre-law.

Defensive end Mike Terry finished A+ in business. Fullback Will Bartholomew had a 3.53 grade-point average in finance. Quarterback Erik Ainge is going away with a winning record in political science. Kickers and punters helped academic and athletic standings: Jeff Hall, David Leaverton, Allen Duncan and James Wilhoit came up big.

Trusting memory (this is really dangerous), basketball guards Bill Justus and Mike Edwards were excellent students. Published author Dane Bradshaw wasn’t bad. Hurdler Bill High was outstanding. Outfielder Bobby Tucker made great grades.

Former Vols who became successful parents, teachers, doctors, lawyers and merchant chiefs must have awakened most mornings and dropped in on an occasional class. I’m not convinced they were exploited. Well, not much.

There’s an interesting list of success stories on Tennessee’s Wall of Fame: dozens of Lady Vols plus Tim Townes, Bill Emendorfer, David Allen, Jim Haslam, Don Denbo, Nick Showalter, Mike Mauck, Richmond Flowers, Jim England, Lester McClain and Mark Jechura (swimmer, aerospace engineer).

Charley Coffey, Neyle Sollee, Benson Scott, David Moon, Chip Linebarrier, Scott Fontis, Brent Watson, Vic Dingus, Hal Bibee, Scott Galyon, Phillip Fulmer, Eric Still, Eddie Brown, Steve Robinson, Charles McRae, David Rudder, Bob Neyland Jr., Randy Sanders, Dick Williams, Mike Jackson, Murray Armstrong, Mike Masters – long list and still growing.

There are so many others – Andy Kozar, Jimmy Hahn, Steve Robinson, Dennis Wolfe, Darris McCord, Mike Stratton, Hank Lauricella, Curt Watson, David Moon, John Majors, Ernie Grunfeld, the list goes on and on – who gave good effort, gained commendable results and received satisfactory return on investment.

I can’t say for sure but, after asking around, it appears that those who come to the University of Tennessee in search of knowledge find some. This is very important but not absolutely critical.

(Marvin West invites reader reaction. His address is westwest6@netzero.com).