God forbid a college devote time and energy on an academic pursuit, instead of say, an athletic one (I know, off-topic, but just an analogy). Personally, I've

God forbid a college devote time and energy on an academic pursuit, instead of say, an athletic one (I know, off-topic, but just an analogy). Personally, I've found many benefits to competing (or even practicing for) programming contests. Not least of which is personal enjoyment and mental exercise.