Darwin's Athletes

The difference between the Hollywood African-American athletes, and those portrayed in Hoop Dreams is the idea of reality.  In the movie White Men Can't Jump, Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes are portrayed as comical characters who play basketball to pay their bills.  Although it is a very funny movie, the film does not exemplify the struggle and reality one experiences to become a professional athlete and get paid for playing your sport.  One must overcome extreme hardships and challenges to accomplish these kinds of goals.  White Men Can't Jump makes a mockery out of those challenges while Hoop Dreams brings them to life.

Reflecting on the Shame of College Sports: Should NCAA Division I Basketball and Football Players Get Paid?

Over the years, the debate on whether or not college athletes should get paid has increased dramatically.  From my personal experience, including different speeches from classmate athletes, I believe that collegiate athletes have every right to be paid for their services to the university.  These athletes make sacrifices not just for themselves, but for the pride of their schools.  Laura Pappano (2012) writes,  "Classes are cancelled to accommodate broadcasts schedules, and new research suggests that fandom can affect academic performance" (2).  The growing broadcasts of games have affected the reputations of universities by attracting students strictly for their sporting events as well as the crowds they attract from the general public.  Students and the general public are coming to see their favorite collegiate athletes perform and these athletes deserve to be rewarded for the sacrifice and performances.

I have often thought about this topic because sporting events here at CU as well as any university brings the students together more than any other event of their college careers, other than commencement and welcome week.  These events are affecting me and the University I attend and the athletes my friends and I are going to see deserve all the credit for making that happen.

Once the Cheering Stops: The Life of a Retired Pro-Athlete

From the readings, it seems as if in many ways the life of a retired pro-athlete can be mentally and emotionally draining. Athletes are confused after their sport careers as to how to manage their time and resources.  Even more mentally challenging is the idea of not being at the top anymore.  Jeff Chadiha (2012) was quoting Tiki Barber when he said, "it's hard for an athlete because you take a different path when you leave college than other kids.  Once you get into that game [corporate business], your peers are much higher than you and you're 30-something years old.  You feel like you really can't catch up" (7).

Aside from the injuries and hard hits athletes experience throughout their careers, they have been guided and told what and how to do things their whole lives and this is why I believe it is a hard transition for them.  Now, it is up to them to make the decision as for what move needs to be made next.  No longer are they able to go to their coaches and ask how they can improve on their job.  Now, they must turn to the resources they have and find whatever success they can with them.

This is a very difficult subject to develop an opinion on.  One the one hand, you look at the successful sport careers of many of these athletes and you can only praise them for the hard work and dedication they put into their job.  Then, you have to look at their 2nd careers outside of sport and judge them on how well they can perform a task off the field.  The real question I think we need to ask about them is "was it all worth it?"      

Sports, Politics, and the Olympics

In the Summer of 1996 during the Olympic games held in Atlanta, a man by the name of Eric Rudolph had detonated three pipe bombs on the Centennial Olympic Park and was held responsible for killing 2 people and injuring 111.  Sources believe that the motive of Rudolph was related to the Government's sanctioning of abortion during this time.  After discovering the ALICE Pack in which the pipe bombs were being held in, security guard Richard Jewell informed the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.  Originally, Jewell had been a suspect in the crime by the FBI, but was later dismissed of all charges one year later after another similar bombing took place in 1997.  Rudolph had then become the top suspect by the FBI.

I believe that Sage and Eitzen's use of the Olympics as a site for political demonstrations and violence is best connected with this incident, specifically with Eric Rudolph's motive behind the crime.  Because Rudolph felt that our government was depriving him of something, he took direct action to demonstrate backlash against the government.  The authors suggest that "sport and sporting events were used by revolutionaries and reformers to attack racism and American involvement in Vietnam" (203).  Instead of attacking racism and our war in Vietnam, Rudolph had been attacking abortion laws in the US.

I disagree with the idea that sport is pure and free of politics.  After all, professional sport and Olympic sport are multi-billion dollar industries in which the stakeholders wish to be paid the appropriate amount.  However, I will say that early on, sport may have been more pure relative to today's sport industry; nevertheless, it has always been a business and will continue to be affiliated with politics.

Sociogenesis of Hockey

Hockey, or ice hockey as it is referred to in most countries, was first originally played western Europe by the Vikings.  However, the more modern style of the sport has said to have evolved from British soldiers and immigrant into Canada.  The sport had originally developed from the more common "stick and ball" games.  According to most sources,  in 1875, the first indoor organized game was played in Montreal.  Although, this theory has been disputed over history.

Moreover, instead of a ball, the participants in this game used a hard rubber puck. In regards to the equipment used, the players did not wear helmets or as many pads as they do today.  The only player to wear a mask was the goalie and even still, this mask was said to be thin and not very protective.

The NHL today requires all first year players to wear a helmet with a visor attached to help protect their face.  In fact, although it is not required, players also have a metal chin guard attached to their helmets.  The goalies masks have changed dramatically in terms of their size and thickness.  Like many contact sports today, ice hockey faces many injury challenges.  The main concern from board members is the safety and protection of the players.  In two words, one significant event that has occurred over the history of this sport would be Wayne Gretzky.  Gretsky's sensational play has impacted the game to this day.  He is the record holder for most points, goals, assists, and has accomplished so many other achievements that have not even come close to being achieved by any other player since.  Hockey is a great sport to watch, and even better to participate in.    

Sport in the Ancient World

The types of sports played in the ancient world are ones that measure a person's strength and physical ability.  Today, sport requires an athlete to develop both physical and mental strength.  The rules to ancient sport were much different as well.  Also, I noticed that there really was no social control to sport as there is in today's society.  There seemed to be less politics involved in sport; however, the athletes were forced to swear to Zeus that they would abide by any rules of the game.  There was much more religious content involved back then compared to today's sport in society.  Those who participated in the ancient games were among the elite and strongest persons of the community.

Sport, Society & Me

My connection with sport means a great deal to me.  It allows me to construct an identify of myself with certain teams, players, and where I'm from.  This connection I have with sports has just been handed down from my parents and family.  My father used to sneak me into Chicago Bulls games by having me sleep on his shoulder so he wouldn't have to pay for a ticket for me.  My parents also got me into basketball at a very young age and I couldn't be more appreciative of that.  I also developed this connection through my friends at school.  Many of us were fans of the same teams which allowed us to relate with each other and watch the games together.

I believe that sport plays a positive role in US society.  It brings individuals and communities together of all ages.  Enormous arenas and stadiums brings cities together.  Getting children involved in spots allows for them to understand competition and fairness.  Sport also teaches us the values of commitment  and dedication.  It allows for us to set goals and work hard to achieve those goals.  Eitzen writes, "the fact is that achieving a professional sports career is extremely difficult, no matter how hard the individual works" (Eitzen, 9).  Watching our favorite athletes and listening to their stories teaches us that nothing in this world comes easy and no matter what background or town you come from, with hard work and commitment, anybody can become a successful athlete.  Because most athletes act as role models to their fans and upcoming athletes, I do believe that they are very much valued in our society.