Sport in Society

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41654762395535447852012-01-29T13:45:24.332-05:00Sport in SocietyThe blog of Sport in Society is a forum for dialogue, discussion and debate on social issues in sport and in society.George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.comBlogger581100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-73068185899031099422008-12-11T09:35:00.005-05:002008-12-11T09:46:58.041-05:00Athlete Actions On and Off the Field

In today’s society, communities need aspirations of hope for better times and role models with authority that are willing to make an impact on the world. Sports provide a sense of unity and have this power. Athletes have the choice to become catalysts for the positive and powerful sport and social change movement that is currently on the rise. There has been an array of community outreach

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com187tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-45940458768782928572008-11-17T11:53:00.000-05:002008-11-17T11:54:24.958-05:00The Bystander Approach

Sport in Society’s Mentors in Violence Prevention Program educates students of the bystander approach in their men’s violence against women trainings. There are various feature characteristics the approach fosters to enhance participants’ learning and future activism.The bystander approach treats each person not as a perpetrator or a victim, but rather as someone who can make a difference. In

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-27454451098928388142008-10-29T11:25:00.003-04:002008-10-29T11:29:33.697-04:00Are Women’s Sports at a Standstill?

Despite the titanic leap women’s athletics has taken over the past three decades, men’s sports still receive more coverage on television news and sports highlights shows. As a recap, Title IX, enacted in 1972, is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity at any educational institution that is a recipient of federal funds. It is recognized as a

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-28816263784856514672008-10-09T19:55:00.000-04:002008-10-09T19:58:28.051-04:00The Positive Power of Music and Sport

Music plays a considerably significant role in sports. Whether it’s increasing an athlete’s motivation and productivity during a training session, setting the tone at a sporting event, or unifying a team with a CD of specifically selected tracks, music and sport have the power to find common ground for people, bring them together, cross generation gaps and language barriers. Sport in Society’s

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-50003275273319978132008-09-30T11:05:00.000-04:002008-10-04T07:39:26.245-04:00Does the Olympic Flag Belong to EVERYONE?

In early August 2008, President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, made a statement about the meaning of the Olympic flag, “It belongs to everyone… It’s one of the most striking and important symbols…It’s an expression of universality and brotherhood of the world.” The Olympic flag is said to be for all of humanity, even persons with disabilities. If this is so, then why is

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-49112624196910453352008-09-22T10:11:00.000-04:002008-09-22T10:15:25.873-04:00What Happened to the LPGA?

For years women have fought discrimination in sport, and now, a league of their own, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) has decided to discriminate amongst their own, against those who cannot speak English. This rule not only applies to international players, but could also apply individuals that are deaf or hard of hearing that happen to be phenomenal golfers as well.The LPGA’s

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-20726287491950658952008-08-22T15:07:00.000-04:002008-08-22T15:08:23.222-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 17

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-51705702851858745412008-08-22T15:06:00.000-04:002008-08-22T15:07:24.824-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 16

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-55868126790443449772008-08-21T16:58:00.000-04:002008-08-21T16:59:10.167-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 15

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-67061446004269684802008-08-21T16:57:00.000-04:002008-08-21T16:58:21.901-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 14

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-83538931008006984992008-08-19T19:12:00.000-04:002008-08-19T19:13:15.705-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 13

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-13842062681244360562008-08-18T19:42:00.000-04:002008-08-18T19:43:12.943-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 12

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-87995804791100464302008-08-17T17:15:00.000-04:002008-08-17T17:16:13.193-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 11

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-67343752998515179412008-08-16T11:10:00.001-04:002008-08-16T11:11:22.102-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 10

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-86410629232946253852008-08-16T09:16:00.001-04:002008-08-16T09:16:46.859-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 9

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-24863256846270911782008-08-14T23:11:00.000-04:002008-08-14T23:12:20.573-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 8

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-55758382227079420382008-08-13T18:53:00.001-04:002008-08-13T18:53:56.534-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 7

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-22827237655249735552008-08-12T21:06:00.000-04:002008-08-12T21:07:20.556-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 6

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-51687873485794455112008-08-11T18:17:00.000-04:002008-08-11T18:18:29.882-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 5

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-51306097235395766132008-08-10T16:22:00.000-04:002008-08-10T16:23:44.687-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 4

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-39290691538748947332008-08-09T21:15:00.001-04:002008-08-09T21:16:05.032-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 3

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-78448676586252721552008-08-08T17:16:00.000-04:002008-08-08T17:17:08.808-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 2

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-18862552538185040652008-08-08T07:15:00.000-04:002008-08-08T07:27:38.120-04:00Spirit of Olympism - Day 1

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-22466646521217835772008-08-07T07:03:00.000-04:002008-08-07T07:32:53.427-04:00Power of Sports in Society

Sports can have a great impact on people and society. Watching sports such as Olympic Games and the soccer/football World Cup inspires people with excitement. Playing sports can give people joy. Some people work as professional players, and some people work in areas which are related to sports. Besides these positive and well-known effects of sports on people and society, sports play very

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-35451021448837534872008-08-06T21:28:00.000-04:002008-08-06T21:29:57.519-04:00Steroid Use in Music and Sport

Music and sport share a common trait which plays an integral role in both industries and that is the emphasis on performance. Whether it is a star athlete or an acclaimed musician, they are willing to push themselves in order to give the best performance they possible can. Lately, there is growing concern about how far they are going in order to enhance their performance. We have all been aware

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-36389568699894741832008-07-07T17:41:00.001-04:002008-07-07T17:45:42.355-04:00Speaking Out on Chinese Human Rights Violations?

The IOC charter section 51.3 states, “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.” IOC President Jacques Rogge has reiterated this point, as has the Chinese deputy communications director of the Beijing Olympic Organizing Commmittee, Sun Weide saying, “The Olympic games are a celebration of sport, not a political

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-69961699349193749892008-04-09T18:09:00.000-04:002008-04-10T07:05:45.053-04:00The Beijing Olympic Games: A Relay for Dialogue and Social Change

In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.” The 2008 Olympic Games, if approached prudently, are a potential catalyst for peace and the promotion of human rights. Over the past few months, protestors have attempted to leverage the upcoming Beijing Games to raise awareness around human rights atrocities in China,

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-14629360196580162132008-02-04T15:40:00.000-05:002008-02-04T15:43:21.021-05:00Power of Sport Summit - June 14 & 15, 2008

Dear Friends,On behalf of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society, we would like to cordially invite you to the first Power of Sport Summit: A Participatory Forum on Sport and Social Change on June 14th and 15th, 2008 to be held at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. The Summit will be an interactive meeting of academics, practitioners and advocates working together to define

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-70856920279830876392008-01-15T01:57:00.001-05:002008-01-15T19:22:33.680-05:00Oscar Pistorius: A Call for Fair Play

It is the stance of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University that the International Association of Athletics Federations' decision to deny Oscar Pistorius, a double amputee sprinter from South Africa, the right to compete in the Olympics was premature. The IAAF concluded that his state-of-the-art carbon fiber prosthetics give him an unfair advantage over able-bodied

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-23042905919897297252008-01-02T16:33:00.000-05:002008-01-02T16:36:36.502-05:00How does the federal government impact professional sports in America?

The federal government’s impact on professional sports is a lot greater than just investigating scandals and conducting congressional hearings. The foundation of all of the major American professional teams is government influence.Regional governments provide a large amount of funding that is used to build sport facilities, be it paying for a facility or turning over land to a team owner who

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-55504225029418175732007-11-29T12:43:00.000-05:002007-11-29T12:44:52.961-05:00Support Choice for Athlete Activists!

We at the Center for the Study of Sport in Society believe it is critical for athletes to have a choice about speaking publicly on social issues and social change. We are concerned that some National Olympic Committees, for instance, Britain's Olympic Association, has said that any team member who makes a public protest in Beijing risks being thrown off the team. Simon Clegg, chief executive of

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-74089444647000836442007-11-15T06:43:00.001-05:002007-11-15T06:43:54.313-05:00Sport in Society's Rhythm & Flow Initiative bridges music, sport, and society

The Rhythm & Flow Initiative is dedicated to the study of how music and sport intersect in society. It aims to discover how music and sport have been used and might be used to combat discrimination and promote human rights for all. “Music and sport have shared a history of marketplace competition, commodification, and of course, globalization,” said principal researcher and Northeastern

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-31472273482466391392007-11-09T13:40:00.000-05:002007-11-09T13:42:23.478-05:00“No Fun League”? Or is it the “No Funeral League”?

Reacting to today’s headlines, it is clear that the NFL still wants its players to promote the NFL brand, above all else and will punish them if they prioritize themselves over the all-mighty NFL shield. This is how the NFL has acted for years, and it doesn’t surprise me that the league chose to fine Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens, $10,000 for waving a personalized towel during his

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-43449839549031072242007-10-25T17:51:00.002-04:002007-10-29T10:19:57.878-04:00The NFL Looks to Europe - Will Europe Look Back?

On Sunday the 28th of October, the National Football League’s New York Giants and Miami Dolphins will play their regular season contest in Wembley Stadium, in London, England. The NFL refers to this game as their most recent experiment with growing the popularity of their league, but will the English care? Earlier this year when NFL Europe collapsed, it was clear that European sport fans didn’t

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-16040294156150321142007-10-23T08:49:00.000-04:002007-10-23T08:51:14.724-04:00Why does America love the Cinderella?

Why is America so infatuated with the underdog? For years and years sports fans in this country always want to pull for the team that isn't favored to win, the team that doesn't have a chance. Is it because we really want to believe that anything can happen? Or is it because we are sick of the best team winning each year? This years World Series is a perfect glimpse of this. A team that was

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-11481150662060920692007-10-23T08:45:00.000-04:002007-10-23T08:49:13.436-04:00Touching the Heart?

2007 has seen more than its fair share of bad stories in the world of sports, but finally one comes that will touch the heart. Eli Florence is a sophomore at Lake Fenton High School in Michigan, he is dying of leukemia. Eli was nominated to be a part of his school's homecoming court, an honor normally reserved for seniors. He was nominated against four football players and a golfer, there was a

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-63997539022517035262007-10-11T22:11:00.000-04:002007-10-11T22:20:59.221-04:00Landis Guilty or Innocent?

Floyd Landis is going to take his case before the Court of Arbitration in the coming months. This is his last chance to get his 2006 Tour de France title back. Landis has gone through every court imaginable so far, to get his title back, and every one has ruled against him. Lance Armstrong believes he is innocent, but the court system does not. Landis has one step left and that is the Court of

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-25071978155687574572007-10-03T19:44:00.000-04:002007-10-03T19:46:31.531-04:00Being A Team Player

Criticizing Teammates. It's a practice that happens all to much these days. Players lose and/or don't preform the way they should and instead of sucking it up and saying "my bad" they lash out at others. One person and one person only is responsible for the performance an athlete puts out on the field, that athlete. Terrell Owens said several times last year that he wasn't getting the ball enough

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-25485610411951195422007-09-20T20:41:00.000-04:002007-09-20T20:42:04.798-04:00Vote 756

The bidding war for home run number 756 is over, now what to do with it is in the fans hands. Marc Ecko the clothing designer, bid $750,000 well above most estimates, to get the ball. Ecko decided that this ball is historic and that the fans of baseball should decide what to do with it, so he set up a voting website Vote756.com. Fans can chose a) to send the ball to the Hall of Fame as is, b)

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-15895362454023733782007-09-07T05:58:00.000-04:002007-09-07T06:06:37.409-04:00Where are the picket lines for violence against women and children?

Picket signs, proposed boycotts, using Mike Vick number 7 jerseys to clean out dog kennel stalls. These were just some of the things that occurred during the Vick saga that now know all too much about. But when a woman or child is hit, where are there picket signs, where are there boycotts? In fact there are more dog shelters in the United States than there are women's shelters. The FBI got

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-91305699847402784502007-08-29T18:46:00.000-04:002007-08-29T18:50:56.240-04:00Is competition such a bad thing?

I do not feel competition is a bad thing. In fact, conversely, I feel as though competition often drives people to succeed in whatever endeavor they choose. Personally, competition provides me with a constant “kick in the butt”. It forces me to get out of bed when I am tired. It motivates me to do an extra set when I am working out. It compels me to prepare thoroughly in the work that I do

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-73022017261440111752007-08-27T20:40:00.000-04:002007-08-27T20:45:30.702-04:00Olympic Courage

Olympic courageSending hope Wanting safety, security For the place we love For the people we love Reflecting and praying together with dear friends There is comfort in the unity We cherish the memories, the place, eachother The collective brings peace and warmth To our hearts Let us keep lifting and supporting The spirit of Olympism To help eachother, our minds, our tears

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-55397881189835610812007-08-24T06:48:00.000-04:002007-08-24T06:50:18.478-04:00Calling All Athletes

Billie Jean King. Carlos Delgado. Arthur Ashe. Bill Russel. Tommie Smith and John Carlos. Dave Meggyessy. What do all of these people have in common? They believed in something and they brought their beliefs to their respective athletic arenas in attempts to make a difference inside and out of the world of sports. Some would call this admirable, but many of these athletes faced severe

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-84002622952291446052007-08-20T18:21:00.000-04:002007-08-20T18:25:52.773-04:00Has Little League gone too far?

Every August eight teams from around the world arrive at Little League's Field of Dreams. South Williamsport, Pennsylvania has been the center of Little League baseball for 61 years, with two stadiums (Lamade, Volunteer), a museum and a hill, which can seat 20,000 and it does every year. The Little League World Series has been called the Late Summer Classic, and it has been nationally televised

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-51356931097791560942007-08-16T19:37:00.000-04:002007-08-16T19:41:04.968-04:00What is a leader?

How is it defined? Is it success on the field or is it how a person conducts themselves? Does the leader need to be the strongest on the team? Does the leader need to be the best? Does a leader need to win? Mark Messier, Kristine Lily, Derek Jeter, and Tom Brady are some of the names that are thrown out when talking about being a leader in sports. Another name that will emerge this year, is the

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-75995152629509999012007-08-13T16:24:00.000-04:002007-08-13T21:09:05.725-04:00Lip Service in Sport?

In his explanation of the Olympic values, Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), explains that “the Olympic games are only a means to a greater goal and the goal is to bring the educational values of sport to society.” He goes on to say that these values of sport include the “pursuit of excellence, respect of other, universality of this world, and building a

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-2883446991896152012007-08-08T00:33:00.000-04:002007-08-08T00:34:29.606-04:00What is the role of the sports fan?

Are they supposed to be quiet and dignified, like the Patrons at Augusta for the Masters? Or are they supposed to be dark, evil and scary like the Black Hole when the Raiders play? Are they supposed to scream, yell and intimidating like the Cameron Crazies at Duke, or are they supposed to be seldom and respectful like fans at Wimbldon? When Barry Bonds hits 756, are fans supposed to cheer for the

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-59312941733985927442007-08-06T13:33:00.000-04:002007-08-06T13:35:55.652-04:00ATHLETES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS OATH

I BELIEVE THE PRACTICE OF SPORT IS A HUMAN RIGHTI WILL PROMOTE AND DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS ON AND OFF THE FIELD I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY FORM OF DISCRIMINATION OR SEGREGATIONI WILL SERVE MY COMMUNITY I WILL BE A ROLE MODEL I WILL STAND UP FOR EQUALITY I WILL SPEAK OUT AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONSI AM AN ATHLETE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-72085085096149312062007-08-02T11:36:00.000-04:002007-08-02T11:43:36.434-04:00Are athletes role models?

Are athletes supposed to be outstanding citizens of society that we can all look up too, and base our actions off of? Are athletes even aware of the stature that they carry, and if they are or are not, how should they be judged? Sir Charles Barkley said in his infamous 1993 Nike commercial, "I am not a role model...Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids." Does

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-38730074136908385062007-07-30T20:24:00.000-04:002007-08-02T18:27:03.512-04:00Should Barry Bonds be Considered the All-Time Home Run Leader or Not?

Bonds' is chasing the most prestigious record in all of sports, and as it stands now he is at 754, one away from tying, two away from breaking Henry "Hank" Aaron's record. In a recent poll conducted by the Associated Press, 55 percent of minority baseball fans, want Bonds to break Aaron's record. This number is in stark contrast to only 34 percent of white baseball fans who want Bonds to be the

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-41688994708833621112007-07-30T20:20:00.000-04:002007-07-30T20:21:19.732-04:00Paralympic Language Open Letter

Dear Friends, As the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games quickly approach, the Center for the Study of Sport in Society finds it important to reflect upon the term ‘para’ in the Paralympic Games. We would like to further inquire as to why the Olympic and Paralympic Games are ‘parallel’ to one another rather than two Games within one Olympic Movement. This thought process has led the Center

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-2820518633564433742007-07-26T16:26:00.000-04:002007-07-26T16:32:42.006-04:00Can Soccer Ever be a Major Sport in the United States?

No matter what way you look at it, there is no clear answer. The arrival of David Beckham has sparked an interest in the worlds most popular sport, but has it elevated it to the level of the NFL, MLB and NASCAR? Most countries throughout the world have one or two professional sports going on. The United States has six major professional sports, college sports and amateur leagues as well. For a

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-48187014461862073342007-07-23T12:22:00.000-04:002007-07-23T12:23:07.024-04:00Competition Versus Play in Youth Sports

Sports are a way for youth to expend their energy in a positive way while developing sport specific skills. More importantly, however, sports are a means to developing life skills at a young age. However, with the growing competition in high school sports and even more so at the college, professional, and Olympic levels, the competition among the programs that feed them has been increasing

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-57783794941058281132007-07-19T08:46:00.000-04:002007-07-21T16:49:04.789-04:00Oscar Pistorius Statement

On May 15th, the New York Times published an article entitled “An amputee sprinter: Is he disabled or too-abled?” that has sparked an intense debate about Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius and the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) ban of springs, wheels and other devices that may give the user an unfair advantage over another athlete. Pistorius, a 20-year-old bilateral

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-9669306162275935722007-07-16T11:38:00.000-04:002007-07-16T12:18:46.484-04:00Analysis of WWE misogyny absent from Benoit murder coverage

Media coverage of WWE star Chris Benoit's murder of his 7-year-old son and wife last week, followed by his own suicide, has largely focused on the wrestler's use of steroids. Numerous commentators have failed to point out that this tragic incident contains many characteristics of a classic domestic violence murder/suicide. It is even more rare in media coverage of the Benoit case to find any

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-45551433045263546702007-07-16T11:31:00.000-04:002007-07-16T11:36:09.932-04:00International Day of Sport

Given an emerging interest in a United Nations International Day of Sport, the Center for the Study of Sport in Society has prepared this essay articulating an analysis and rationale for such an International Day.Initiation of an International Day of Sport"It is imperative that the program, institutional and advocacy initiatives that advance sport for development and peace during the

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-66035640994315087922007-07-16T11:27:00.000-04:002007-07-17T17:39:30.964-04:00Getting to the Root of Political Correctness in Sport

From the comments made by John Rocker or, more recently, those by Don Imus to the ongoing controversy over Native American mascots, political correctness has been at the forefront of many social conversations pertaining to athletics. With the increasing amount of cases and, in turn, publicity surrounding political correctness, many people are becoming tired of hearing about it and feel that

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4165476239553544785.post-92223975010832336742007-07-06T12:57:00.000-04:002007-07-06T13:15:01.714-04:00Welcome!

Welcome to the blog of the Center for the Study of Sport in Society!In this blog we will discuss the current social issues and trends going on in the world of sport. Our hope is to create awareness from these issues and to show how they impact society on a whole. A lot is currently going on in sports that is worth discussing: the 35th anniversary of Title IX, to the recent creation of the Youth

George and Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18326256365110171662noreply@blogger.com0