Its very hard. Schools nationwide are focusing too much on numbers, athletics, money, and notoriety. Academics are often second thought.
Administration needs to consistently be reminded that students want a focus on academics, maybe even that they dont support the athletics changes. It has to be drilled in again and again. This can be done through organizations, rallies, demonstrations, news articles, letters, or just about anything. Just make sure they hear you and understand that its not just a small group of students that feel this way.