I'm not a fan of USC's football program by any means, but it's a damn good school. That the university allows certain athletes "special status" with lowered academic standards is reprehensible. That they turn a blind eye to improper dealings between student athletes and agents, marketing representatives and boosters is damnable.
There are, however, many, many opportunities for serious students; be they football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, rugby, futbol or ping pong players. Varsity, club, intramural or pick-up among classmates is of no consequence.
Painting with broad strokes is fine – if coating a wall quickly and completely is your goal. Not so if you intend to highlight (and vilify) just one aspect of a school's comportment.
The school's we love to hate all have their academic strong points. Any student, athlete or not, can take advantage and gain tremendously from them. Believe it or not, many schools have academic programs equal to or better than Notre Dame's in many areas.
Hell, I'd have been better off at USC (shudder!) since my interest was film and video production. ND dropped Communication Arts as a degree track just as I attempted to declare it my major. It has since been revived and is thriving, but I still feel a tad resentful and think "piss off" when I get invitations to attend events related to film and video programs at ND that always include a solicitation for contributions.
Condemn, rightfully, a school for its lax and abominable attitude (and oversight) in dealing with "student athletes." Guard against "throwing out the baby with the bath water."