The views of 65 university presidents about athletic programs, the administration of their athletic programs, and the impact of problems of athletic program on university leadership were studied in spring 1985. Ten of the presidents responding to the survey were from private institutions, while 55 were from public universities. On the average, they had eight men's and seven women's sports programs; all of the institutions belonged to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I-A. Case studies were also undertaken with four universities under NCAA sanction and four institutions with acknowledged success in blending excellence in both athletics and academics. Lack of internal control (including confused and fractured lines of responsibility) was found to be a critical factor contributing to problems in school athletic programs. Additional findings include: (1) some presidents do not have board backing for "taking charge;" (2) presidents, on the average, are planning to do something besides being president within five years or less; (3) presidents see money pressure to win, and over-zealous supporters, including alumni, as the key factors in athletic problems; and yet (4) presidents see alumni and corporate support growing in importance in the future if academic quality is to improve. (SW)