I definitely can not narrow down one lecture as my favorite as there were so many topics that struck interest in me. However, I can list my favorite discussion as "Sports and the Economy," "Sports and Education: Collegiate Sport," "Sexual Bodies," and "Injured Bodies." I realize these all span a great breadth of topics, but each I found each topic intriguing for different reasons. The class on sports and the economy was extremely informational and definitely showed me the "dark side" of sports Killick often discussed and that discussion was the first time the dark side slapped me in the face. Prior to that class, I was rather naive and coming out of that class and the other lectures pertaining to money definitely changed my opinion on the sporting world as I now realize just how commercialized it is. Talking about collegiate sports was interesting to me for obvious reasons, but again this discussion introduced me to the darker side of the NCAA that I have experienced to minimal degrees, but definitely believe the amount of exploitation we learn about. The sexual bodies topic stood out to me because I had almost no knowledge on the subject, but after the discussions and paper I wrote on it, I find myself talking about the subject and thinking about it in other classes (Right now I'm in physiology learning about the reproductive system). Finally, discussing injuries in sport stood out to me because they do happen all the time and to everyone, but analyzing athletes' behavior in response to injury and the idea of injury was something I had not done before.
I am still surprised about symbiotic relationship between sport and the media; although I was aware of sport's reliance on the media prior to discussion, I had NO idea how much revenue sport brings in and contributes to the media's success. Discussions on the criminal and enhanced aspects of sport surprised me as I was introduced to research that was so far removed from my previous understandings of the topics. I still am not quite sure how I feel about the performance enhancing drug topic because I think its debate surprised me the most, but I am sure that I will continue to look into the subject after the semester because I want to reconsider my initial opinions.
Prior to the class, my perception of sport was extremely positive - it has given me access to higher education, a solid group of friends back home (every single one of my friends at home I met through softball, or because I play softball - ridiculous I realize, but it's not an exaggeration), job opportunities, a lifestyle centered around diet and exercise, the list goes on and on. After taking this class, my personal perception of sport has not changed greatly, but I definitely understand now that my situation is not the case of many athletes. Furthermore, I realize that sport is so much more political than I ever could have imagined.
I would ABSOLUTELY recommend this class to a friend, in fact I have already. I rave about Killick and the class regularly because not only are the subjects interesting, but Killick does an exceptional job establishing a positive atmosphere in the classroom as well as keeping conversation interesting.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Friday, November 28, 2014
Bigger, Stronger, Faster
The number of advocates and opponents for the current ban of steroids in sport is many and each side possesses an extensive list of reasons in support for its position. Those in support of the ban often argue that to use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) goes against good ethics as it is a form of cheating, children/young people are influenced to use substances they have no knowledge about because they are highly impressionable, and they are dangerous potentially putting athletes at higher risk for injury and death (Reardon & Creado, 2014, pg. 98-101). Additional arguments made include the innate unfairness of PEDS, which is heightened when it is considered that not everyone has access to their benefits (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 667-668). Ultimately, the World Anti-Doping Agency seeks to eliminate the use of illegal drugs that are performance enhancing, health risks, and violations to the "celebration of the human spirit, body, and mind" - also known as the "spirit of sport" (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 666).
As that list goes on, rebuttals in favor of the use of PEDs in sport are made and are just as extensive. This list generally begins with the fact that a number of elite athletes are using illegal drugs/cheating, thus in order to achieve a level playing field and a competitive atmosphere, one must take PEDs to keep up and push further (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 666). Not only do athletes often feel forced to take steroids in order to stay on track with other athletes, but also in order to attain greater levels of personal success, which is often the driving force in any highly performing athlete. An interesting argument made in favor of PEDs is that their use is, "Far from being against the spirit of body, [because] biological manipulation embodies the human spirit - the capacity to improve ourselves on the basis of reason and judgment" (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 667). This suggests that the creativity of humankind should be able to biologically influence sport to a greater degree than it already does. Furthermore, as medicine improves, it is becoming increasingly difficult to detect and therefore monitor drug use in sport, so removing the ban would eradicate the massive amount of money spent attempting to create this technology as well as administering the extensive tests (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 666). The argument that PEDs are unsafe to athletes is rebutted in a number of ways, including the proposition that if PEDs were legalized, the focus would shift from escaping detection to improving the safety of the drug (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 668). Though that is speculation, it is made on rather solid grounds considering the amount of research, time and resources put into hiding drug use.
This topic of PEDs in sport is the focus of the documentary Bigger, Stronger, Faster, which shows both sides of the argument in attempt for a man to understand his stance against the use of steroids. In this movie, the men and women shown take steroids for a number of reasons including compensation for shortcomings, improve functional and aesthetic musculature, health reasons, and influence from the competitive American culture. Bell challenges the dominant ideas around steroids by interviewing a number of people involved in sport and steroid use. He addresses the common belief that steroids are dangerous for a number of health reasons, but finds that a number of highly accredited health professionals deny that misconception and even finds that some support the use of steroids. Another interesting topic he tackled is the double standard of drug use by adults, despite the claim that "steroids aren't for kids." He does not understand how his little brother is a huge advocate for steroids, yet lies to the young men he coaches by denying his usage, because of the association between steroids and cheating.
Though I understand the arguments made in favor of allowing PEDs in sport because a number of athletes are already using and the eradication of the ban would potentially level the playing field, I still think that the ban is necessary. I found the movie insightful, but it did not affect my personal position much because I found myself imagining the same guilt Bell felt after taking steroids. PEDs are so deeply engrained in me as a way of cheating, which is why I do not think I could ever accept their use in sports.
Works Cited
Bell, C. (2008). Bigger stronger faster [Motion picture]. USA: Magnolia Home Entertainment.
Reardon, C. L., & Creado, S. (2014). Drug abuse in athletes. Substance Abuse & Rehabilitation, (5)95-105. doi:10.2147/SAR.S53784
Savulescu, J., Foddy, B., & Clayton, M. (2011). Why we should allow performance enhancing drugs in sport. Br J Sport Med, (38) 666-670. doi: 10.1136
Friday, November 21, 2014
Crime and Punishment
In February 2014, NFL player, Ray Rice, physically assaulted then-fiance (now wife) Janay Rice in a casino elevator. When word of this got out, NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, issued Rice a two game suspension for the 2014-2015 season. Some believed this punishment to be minimal, but it was not until video of the beating surfaced and became viral that extreme public outcry came. Following this uproar, Goodell issued a public statement saying that he had made the wrong decision the first time, which generated his revision of domestic violence policies (Zirin, 2014a). The release of this video also led to Rice's dismissal from the Baltimore Ravens. This incident, by no means, was an isolated case, but rather is reflective of broader trends in US sport - or at least that is what the media wants the American public to believe.
Recent studies have found that the rate of arrests for professional athletes regarding domestic violence/assault is less than half of the general population's rate and DUI rates are about half that of the rate for all young men in their 20's (Keane, 2013). Those number clearly indicate that professional athletes have reduced arrest rates for certain crimes, however the media makes it seem as though athletes are always getting in criminal trouble because it broadcasts every instance of crime. With that in mind, one must imagine if every crime across the nation was broadcasted, which is nearly unfathomable, if not completely beyond belief. The messages and values conveyed by these media representations are that athletes can not possibly separate their on-field lives and off-field lives, resulting in a violent and criminal nature.
A 2011 study found that the most common arrests with NFL, MLB, and NBA athletes are domestic violence/sexual assault, illegal possession of weapons and drugs/DUIs (Administration, 2011). Based on my own extrapolation of those trends, I think that there is an explanation behind those tendencies. Team sports, by nature, tend to rely more on contact or brute force than individual sports and activities that one might partake in extracurricularly. For this reason, I do not find it all that surprising that of arrests made in those three sports, domestic violence and sexual assault cases are among the highest rates. These athletes are conditioned to be highly aggressive in an intense situation (a game) so when an intense situation occurs off the field, some must revert to handling the situation in a way that is most familiar to them. Additionally, in rookie and player development programs, women are often not talked about as equals, but instead as a threat to players who will try to get impregnated by the athletes or make sexual assault claims (Zirin, 2014b). The conversation of women objectifies the gender, leading to decreased respect, which may explain the tendency of sexual assault. As for the illegal possession of weapons, I might explain this by the financial status of most professional athletes, or at least how they are made out to be by the media. Athletes tend to be well-off, by most standards, though not all are multi-millionaires, which causes them to feel as though they need an increased level of personal and familial protection, resulting in the purchase of weapons. Again, that is speculation, but if that is the case, then it could explain the number of illegal possession of weapons charges made to this group of people. Finally, the drug/DUI charges can be explained in part by financial situations, but perhaps more by the feeling of invincibility athletes receive from playing sports from a young age and being highly successful at what the American public deems extremely important.
Recent studies have found that the rate of arrests for professional athletes regarding domestic violence/assault is less than half of the general population's rate and DUI rates are about half that of the rate for all young men in their 20's (Keane, 2013). Those number clearly indicate that professional athletes have reduced arrest rates for certain crimes, however the media makes it seem as though athletes are always getting in criminal trouble because it broadcasts every instance of crime. With that in mind, one must imagine if every crime across the nation was broadcasted, which is nearly unfathomable, if not completely beyond belief. The messages and values conveyed by these media representations are that athletes can not possibly separate their on-field lives and off-field lives, resulting in a violent and criminal nature.
A 2011 study found that the most common arrests with NFL, MLB, and NBA athletes are domestic violence/sexual assault, illegal possession of weapons and drugs/DUIs (Administration, 2011). Based on my own extrapolation of those trends, I think that there is an explanation behind those tendencies. Team sports, by nature, tend to rely more on contact or brute force than individual sports and activities that one might partake in extracurricularly. For this reason, I do not find it all that surprising that of arrests made in those three sports, domestic violence and sexual assault cases are among the highest rates. These athletes are conditioned to be highly aggressive in an intense situation (a game) so when an intense situation occurs off the field, some must revert to handling the situation in a way that is most familiar to them. Additionally, in rookie and player development programs, women are often not talked about as equals, but instead as a threat to players who will try to get impregnated by the athletes or make sexual assault claims (Zirin, 2014b). The conversation of women objectifies the gender, leading to decreased respect, which may explain the tendency of sexual assault. As for the illegal possession of weapons, I might explain this by the financial status of most professional athletes, or at least how they are made out to be by the media. Athletes tend to be well-off, by most standards, though not all are multi-millionaires, which causes them to feel as though they need an increased level of personal and familial protection, resulting in the purchase of weapons. Again, that is speculation, but if that is the case, then it could explain the number of illegal possession of weapons charges made to this group of people. Finally, the drug/DUI charges can be explained in part by financial situations, but perhaps more by the feeling of invincibility athletes receive from playing sports from a young age and being highly successful at what the American public deems extremely important.
Administration. (2011, April 4). Crime Rates in Pro Sports. Retrieved from http://www.uscollegesearch.org/blog/resource-articles/criminal-justice-info/crime-rates-in-pro-sports
Keane, T. (2013, July 2). The myth about crime and pro athletes - The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 21, 2014, from http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2013/07/01/the-myth-about-crime-and-pro-athletes/qlnKoSMkbhuImiS4pO87WJ/story.html
Zirin, D. (2014a, August 19). Here's What Happens When an NFL Player Beats His Fiancée Unconscious. Retrieved from http://www.edgeofsports.com/2014-08-09-940/index.html
Zirin, D. (2014b, September 5). Yes, I 'Question the NFL's Commitment' to Being a Force Against Domestic Violence. Retrieved from http://www.edgeofsports.com/2014-09-01-950/index.html
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Is Sport a Safe Place for LGBT Athletes?
In recent years, a lot of ground has been gained to make sport a safe environment for LGBT athletes, however to currently identify it as a "safe" place would be a stretch. Although more support for the LGBT community is being found throughout athletics and society, many athletes still have troubles feeling comfortable in their own skin and coming to terms with their sexuality. NBA center Jason Collins came out in 2013 and detailed his experience in an article published in Sports Illustrated. Collins has a twin, who is also in the NBA, and he first realized he was different from his twin just before his teen years, as he could not identify with his brother's attraction to girls. It was not until he was 33 that he came out for the first time, which was in confidence to his aunt who revealed that she knew for years of his sexual orientation, she just also knew that he needed to come to terms with it before addressing it. In 2012, Collins decided he was finally ready to come out to the public when the Boston Marathon bombing made him realize, "Things can change in an instant, so why not live truthfully?" (Collins, 2013). However, Collins decided that he would wait until the end of the 2012 season to go public with his announcement because he made a commitment to his team and did not want his personal life to interfere with his athletics, which is probably an attitude shared amongst many LGBT athletes.
Collins also touched base on the stereotype that gay players must be "soft"; he quickly identified himself as a example against that common misconception as he is known to be an aggressive player on court. He attributes that feature of his game to his desire to win and do everything he can to help the team and mentioned that he hopes after making this announcement that players will not see him differently on the court, in the locker room, or outside the basketball world. That concern is legitimate as others' perceptions of one's sexual orientation is often the reason that individual works so hard to hide the truth and once ready to face the truth, he/she must learn how to actually handle the attitudes of those around them. Many LGBT athletes have identified the loss of support from teammates and the public as one of the most troubling barriers preventing them from coming out during their careers, as well as the fear of being "ambushed" via social media and "humiliated" on camera (Zirin, 2014, pg. 13).
Near the end of his article, Collins states that we are living in a more accepting time, but there is still a ways to go and that everyone has the power to take action. This idea is shared by the You Can Play Project, which is an organization who mission is to "Ensure equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation" (Mission Statement, 2014). This program appreciates the recent support from professional athletes of all sports leagues and their public statements addressing such support, as it positively impacts locker rooms and every other sporting realm (Price, 2014). I can see why the announcement of professional athletes' support for the LGBT community has such a great influence on society and I think that it has the ability to shift the attitudes of those who follow and participate in sports.
Statistically, I am not sure if certain sports/standards of competition are safer than others for LGBT athletes, however being a collegiate athlete, I have what I consider a good understanding of which sports are and are not inclusive. I have noticed that women's sports tend to be more accepting of LGBT athletes, a trend that I also observe in professional athletics. Additionally, I have noticed a drastic shirt in attitudes between my high school and college careers; collegiate athletes are much more supportive of LGBT athletes and non-athletes, which I attribute to the greater self-confidence most achieve during their college years both in sexual orientation and attitudes regarding such issues. Softball has been stereotyped as a lesbian sport, a tag that I have also heard placed on women's basketball, and though I disagree with coining any sport as such because it is done in a disrespectful manner, I do believe that both sports provide very safe environments for LGBT athletes. Due to this "safe" environment, I have found that LGBT athletes have an easier time coming out to teammates in these sports, which I admire and hope spreads throughout the sporting world because not only does it provide a better culture for the LGBT community, but it also teaches those outside the community.
Works Cited
Collins, Jason. (2013, April 29). Why NBA center Jason Collins is Coming Out Now. Sports Illustrated.
"Mission Statement." You Can Play Project. You Can Play, 2014. Web.<http://youcanplayproject.org/pages/mission-statement>.
Price, N. (2014, January 8). National Hockey League Becomes First With All-Team Support For Gay Athletes And Fans Through You Can Play. PR Newswire US.
ZIRIN, D. (2014). THE LGBT MOVEMENT TAKES AIM AT SOCHI. (Cover story). Nation, 298(6), 12-17.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Hoop Dreams: Is sport a viable way out of poverty?
Hoop Dreams is a documentary following two 14 year old, Chicago-native boys throughout their high school experiences. Both are identified as potentially star basketball talents and the movie details the differences between the two paths they go down. At the start of the film, both William and Arthur say that the NBA is their dream and once they make it, the first thing they would do is buy their moms a new house and get themselves cars. In support of their sons' dreams and the potential to make it big, both families put the boys' basketball careers first and in Arthur's case, this actually means that his mom could not put food on the table at times because she had to pay off his debt to St. Joseph's. For William, basketball brought he and his brother, who missed his shot at collegiate and professional hoops, together, but by the end of the film, it is revealed that William did not appreciate his brother living through him vicariously and that he actually lost most of his passion for the sport due to the intense culture at St. Joe's.
A high school talent scout finds both boys prior to entering their freshmen year of high school and brings them to St. Joseph's, a private school in a seemingly affluent suburb. On his way to visit the school for the first time, Arthur vocalizes his concern regarding a mostly white school in a nice neighborhood and how he will not know how to act. For this reason, both boys were shy and perceived as quiet upon their arrival to St. Joe's, especially in the classroom because they were far behind their peers. Arthur's feeling of being an outsider potentially foreshadows his ultimate fate at the school as one study found, "[…] Proximity [to one's hometown] may increase recruit performance by facilitating learning, trust-building, and social commitment," all factors that Arthur failed to posses (Barden, 2013). As William lived up to the hype on court, he was treated as an asset to the school and in return received a full scholarship when his family was in financial trouble and he was at risk of dropping out. With this guaranteed educational stability, William started to do better in the classroom, ultimately making him a realistic collegiate recruit. Additionally, the wealthy, white couple that provided William with academic financial support also gave him a summer job in order to contribute to his and his family's incomes. Unfortunately, Arthur did not live up to his athletic potential while at St. Joe's and when his family got in financial trouble, the school did not offer the same help and he was forced out of the private institution.
West Garfield and the neighborhood around St. Joseph's appear to be polar opposites in terms of socio-economic status. Gang activity and drug deals seemed to be omnipresent in West Garfield as shady activity was often seen on screen, however when the neighborhood around St. Joe's was shown, it tended to just be nice houses with nobody walking around. In West Garfield, no houses were seen, but instead rundown apartments, stores and basketball courts. Based on the contrast between these two areas, it should be clear to every viewer that the class identities are extremely different and that West Garfield residents do not have bright futures, while those around St. Joe's are seemingly successful. Additionally, the people in these two areas are shown dressed extremely differently as all the adults around St. Joe's are shown in standard business attire at all times, while those in West Garfield are seen wearing worn down clothes or shirtless.
This film had me feeling optimistic that these two boys would achieve their dreams due to the build up and the hardships they seemingly overcame, but the end did not fulfill my expectations to the degree I would have liked and after further research, I sadly learned that neither made it to the NBA. However, I think it is inspirational that both William and Arthur received degrees from four year colleges despite their respective difficulties. Hoop Dreams definitely made me reconsider the idea of sport as a passport out of poverty because although it worked out, to a degree, for these two players, both lost a lot on the way and it became apparent that not all good talent receives the same opportunities. The apparent emphasis on education seemed to offer both guidance they needed and in both cases, basketball was their reason to continue putting in some sort of effort to school, which absolutely contributes to potentially escaping poverty.
Barden, J. Q., Bluhm, D. J., Mitchell, T. R., & Lee, T. W. (2013). Hometown Proximity, Coaching Change, and the Success of College Basketball Recruits. Journal Of Sport Management, 27(3), 230-246.
A high school talent scout finds both boys prior to entering their freshmen year of high school and brings them to St. Joseph's, a private school in a seemingly affluent suburb. On his way to visit the school for the first time, Arthur vocalizes his concern regarding a mostly white school in a nice neighborhood and how he will not know how to act. For this reason, both boys were shy and perceived as quiet upon their arrival to St. Joe's, especially in the classroom because they were far behind their peers. Arthur's feeling of being an outsider potentially foreshadows his ultimate fate at the school as one study found, "[…] Proximity [to one's hometown] may increase recruit performance by facilitating learning, trust-building, and social commitment," all factors that Arthur failed to posses (Barden, 2013). As William lived up to the hype on court, he was treated as an asset to the school and in return received a full scholarship when his family was in financial trouble and he was at risk of dropping out. With this guaranteed educational stability, William started to do better in the classroom, ultimately making him a realistic collegiate recruit. Additionally, the wealthy, white couple that provided William with academic financial support also gave him a summer job in order to contribute to his and his family's incomes. Unfortunately, Arthur did not live up to his athletic potential while at St. Joe's and when his family got in financial trouble, the school did not offer the same help and he was forced out of the private institution.
West Garfield and the neighborhood around St. Joseph's appear to be polar opposites in terms of socio-economic status. Gang activity and drug deals seemed to be omnipresent in West Garfield as shady activity was often seen on screen, however when the neighborhood around St. Joe's was shown, it tended to just be nice houses with nobody walking around. In West Garfield, no houses were seen, but instead rundown apartments, stores and basketball courts. Based on the contrast between these two areas, it should be clear to every viewer that the class identities are extremely different and that West Garfield residents do not have bright futures, while those around St. Joe's are seemingly successful. Additionally, the people in these two areas are shown dressed extremely differently as all the adults around St. Joe's are shown in standard business attire at all times, while those in West Garfield are seen wearing worn down clothes or shirtless.
This film had me feeling optimistic that these two boys would achieve their dreams due to the build up and the hardships they seemingly overcame, but the end did not fulfill my expectations to the degree I would have liked and after further research, I sadly learned that neither made it to the NBA. However, I think it is inspirational that both William and Arthur received degrees from four year colleges despite their respective difficulties. Hoop Dreams definitely made me reconsider the idea of sport as a passport out of poverty because although it worked out, to a degree, for these two players, both lost a lot on the way and it became apparent that not all good talent receives the same opportunities. The apparent emphasis on education seemed to offer both guidance they needed and in both cases, basketball was their reason to continue putting in some sort of effort to school, which absolutely contributes to potentially escaping poverty.
Works Cited
Barden, J. Q., Bluhm, D. J., Mitchell, T. R., & Lee, T. W. (2013). Hometown Proximity, Coaching Change, and the Success of College Basketball Recruits. Journal Of Sport Management, 27(3), 230-246.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Interrogating the Presentation of Gender in Sports Advertising
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN_5myhJmlM
This commercial aired on Tuesday, October 21st, during Game 1 of the 2014 World Series. It is unique compared to the majority of sports commercials as it focuses entirely on a female athlete, however underlying gendered messages become apparent when it is analyzed critically. The first two images of Mo'ne do not identify her as a female as she is shown from far away and behind, however her gender is identified as soon as she begins talking. This was most likely done to surprise viewers and ultimately make a greater impact in the fight for gender equality in sports as the majority of people were expecting the commercial to be about young male baseball players, but instead are told the inspirational story of a 13-year-old girl. In a 20 second span of this minute long commercial, she mentions being a girl in some regard four times because that evidently is the focus of this commercial, which is reinforced at the end when this message appears on screen, "Chevrolet celebrates Mo'ne Davis and those who remind us that anything is possible."
Although this commercial seeks to inspire viewers both young and old, which are also words that come out of Mo'ne's mouth, gendered messages are exposed when the material, presentation and commentary are analyzed. Commercials with men tend to focus on physical aggression as seen in the numerous ones showing men hard at work and sweating, while women's tend to focus more on the beauty of any game (Kristiansen, 2014, pg. 17). This trend is definitely apparent in this commercial as Mo'ne only discusses how hard she works at multiple different sports, while she is only shown actually doing athletic activity in brief actions - half court shot, hitting a ball of a tee, and throwing a fast ball. The reliance on her commentary to express her physical prowess is an indication of the idea that women cannot exhibit athletic competence solely based on performance. In commercials focused on male athletes, quite the opposite is observed as they do not have to discuss their athletic competence because in most cases it is already known and then it is reinforced when shown scoring a touchdown, hitting a home run, etc.
Another gendered message displayed in this commercial is the idea of hyper-femininity. She by no means is stylized to the same extreme as other female athletes several years her senior, however she is still presented in a way meant to be perceived as more attractive. Currently, the power and presence of female athletes are reframed in the media in a way that will be found heterosexually appealing because the male audience is the most important in sport (Kristiansen, 2014, pg. 19). In Mo'ne's case, she is made out to be more "appealing" with the addition of eye makeup and straighten hair that is left down the entirety of the commercial. This contradicts her actual on-field presentation where she was seen during the 2014 Little League World Series with her hair pulled back and in braids. Unfortunately, this feminized stylization of Mo'ne undermines the ad's intent for gender equality because research has found that coverage highlighting or enhancing a female athlete's attractiveness, actually generates the perception that she is less talented, athletic and heroic than athlete's whose athleticism receives more attention (Daniels, 2011). Thankfully she was not extremely hyper-feminized, which allows the public to potentially receive her as a heroic female athlete.
For young people watching this commercial, Mo'ne will most likely be seen as a role model due to her influence and success in the male dominated Little League baseball organization. However, due to the reliance on her commentary to portray her athletic competence, instead of showing her in action, may cause young athletes to focus on the end result and stardom as opposed to the hard work it takes to become an elite athlete.
Kristiansen, E., Broch, T. B., & Pedersen, P. M. (2014). Negotiating Gender in Professional Soccer: An Analysis of Female Footballers in the United States. Choregia, 10(1), 5-27.
This commercial aired on Tuesday, October 21st, during Game 1 of the 2014 World Series. It is unique compared to the majority of sports commercials as it focuses entirely on a female athlete, however underlying gendered messages become apparent when it is analyzed critically. The first two images of Mo'ne do not identify her as a female as she is shown from far away and behind, however her gender is identified as soon as she begins talking. This was most likely done to surprise viewers and ultimately make a greater impact in the fight for gender equality in sports as the majority of people were expecting the commercial to be about young male baseball players, but instead are told the inspirational story of a 13-year-old girl. In a 20 second span of this minute long commercial, she mentions being a girl in some regard four times because that evidently is the focus of this commercial, which is reinforced at the end when this message appears on screen, "Chevrolet celebrates Mo'ne Davis and those who remind us that anything is possible."
Although this commercial seeks to inspire viewers both young and old, which are also words that come out of Mo'ne's mouth, gendered messages are exposed when the material, presentation and commentary are analyzed. Commercials with men tend to focus on physical aggression as seen in the numerous ones showing men hard at work and sweating, while women's tend to focus more on the beauty of any game (Kristiansen, 2014, pg. 17). This trend is definitely apparent in this commercial as Mo'ne only discusses how hard she works at multiple different sports, while she is only shown actually doing athletic activity in brief actions - half court shot, hitting a ball of a tee, and throwing a fast ball. The reliance on her commentary to express her physical prowess is an indication of the idea that women cannot exhibit athletic competence solely based on performance. In commercials focused on male athletes, quite the opposite is observed as they do not have to discuss their athletic competence because in most cases it is already known and then it is reinforced when shown scoring a touchdown, hitting a home run, etc.
Another gendered message displayed in this commercial is the idea of hyper-femininity. She by no means is stylized to the same extreme as other female athletes several years her senior, however she is still presented in a way meant to be perceived as more attractive. Currently, the power and presence of female athletes are reframed in the media in a way that will be found heterosexually appealing because the male audience is the most important in sport (Kristiansen, 2014, pg. 19). In Mo'ne's case, she is made out to be more "appealing" with the addition of eye makeup and straighten hair that is left down the entirety of the commercial. This contradicts her actual on-field presentation where she was seen during the 2014 Little League World Series with her hair pulled back and in braids. Unfortunately, this feminized stylization of Mo'ne undermines the ad's intent for gender equality because research has found that coverage highlighting or enhancing a female athlete's attractiveness, actually generates the perception that she is less talented, athletic and heroic than athlete's whose athleticism receives more attention (Daniels, 2011). Thankfully she was not extremely hyper-feminized, which allows the public to potentially receive her as a heroic female athlete.
For young people watching this commercial, Mo'ne will most likely be seen as a role model due to her influence and success in the male dominated Little League baseball organization. However, due to the reliance on her commentary to portray her athletic competence, instead of showing her in action, may cause young athletes to focus on the end result and stardom as opposed to the hard work it takes to become an elite athlete.
Reference List
Daniels, E., & Wartena, H. (2011). Athlete or Sex Symbol: What Boys Think of Media Representations of Female Athletes. Sex Roles, 65(7/8), 566-579. doi:10.1007/s11199-011-9959-7
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Exploring the Hegemonic Gendering process
Jennifer Aniston is a woman who comes to mind when I think of an example of an ideal woman as far as the dominant US societal norms go. For two decades she has dominated the Hollywood scene due to her looks and personality. Her blonde hair, blue eyes, tan skin, good smile and slim figure distinguishes her as a beautiful individual in the eye's of the American majority. Additionally, her personality is known by those who pay some sort of attention to celebrity gossip as sweet, caring and genuine - at least that is how I have perceived her through interviews. Her young adulthood was certainly her prime, however she is still a highly sought after actress, especially as she strives to redefine herself as an actress and a person. The most recent news I have seen about her have been about her fitness and healthy eating habits, which she is sharing with Americans who are listening because she is iconic in the US.
My idea as to how a real/ideal man and woman is supposed to look, behave and be like was largely generated via mass media consumption. Everywhere I look, there are pictures of slim, beautiful, young women and chiseled, well-groomed, young men, reestablishing the look of dominant US societal norms. Interviews, TV shows, and magazine articles support those notions and take them to another degree because they introduce what the American majority considers ideal behavior and personality. Through the mass media, I have learned that it celebrities are kept in the best light when they kept their opinions to themselves regarding racy material and also when they avoid any drastic changes to their physical appearances. This is because they are supposed to be pleasing to the public's eye, but in reality people have opinions and preferences that might not agree with the large majority.
This is a picture of my older brother AJ and he without a doubt is who I think of when asked to give an example of a real or ideal man. He is my biggest role model due to the way he looks at life, treats people, and carries out his action. By no means does he match dominant US societal norms, but in my eyes he is the greatest person I know. My brother was blessed with good looks, but I have noticed that as he matures, he relies less and less upon them and more upon how intellectual he is. My version of a real/ideal man challenges the societal norms probably because I have known my brother for my entire life; I have seen him grow and vice versa, while also influencing each other's upbringings and seeing that growth has allowed me to appreciate the confident, passionate and awesome man he is now. AJ's ability to articulate and express his opinions in a non-imposing manner sets him apart from other people I have come across, which makes me view him as even more real and ideal, however that behavior is definitely frowned upon in most societal settings.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Interrogating inequalities in Sports Media: Examining gender representation in Sports Illustrated
Thus far in 2014, Sports Illustrated has published 87 magazine covers, of which, women are the focus in only six. Although there are two covers that do not represent either gender, but rather historic events such as the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing and the 60-year anniversary of Sports Illustrated, the remaining 79 covers establish men as centerpieces (Sports Illustrated, 2014). After analyzing this year's covers, a few of the image's qualities became trends that distinguished men from women and the ideas surrounding each gender in sport. Not included in this count on Sports Illustrated's website is the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2014, as that issue has a webpage all to itself due to the popularity and message it conveys. It is important to know that Sports Illustrated does not include images of men in swimsuits, but rather focuses solely on women in risqué swimsuits. Why that edition is even in existence for a sports magazine is questionable, but occasionally female athletes appear in it and ultimately create a broader imbalance of gender equality in sports media.
The only time a male exposes an abnormal amount of skin on a cover is when 49'er quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, appears in a cropped t-shirt with a 6-pack (of abs) displayed (Sports Illustrated, 2014). Gaining on-field popularity since the 2012 season, Kaepernick's popularity with society and the media has exploded due to his appearance, which has made him somewhat of a sex symbol. Johnny "Football" Manziel and Kobe Bryant are two other notable male athletes whose appearance on their covers appear stylized both in fashion and hair/makeup, which parallels the off-field focus of those specific issues (Sports Illustrated, 2014). On the other hand, apart from Little League baseball's Mo'ne Davis who was the only female athlete shown in action, every female on a cover was highly dressed and done up, suggesting that their appearance is as important as their role in sports. Additionally, 5 out of 6 women appear smiling compared to the 12 out of 79 men, or groups of men, photographed while smiling. In 19 out of 31 staged photos, males are displayed with an aggressively stern face or a smirk rather than a smile, which suggests the constant competitiveness male athletes possess and their intellectual prowess over counterparts, respectively (Sports Illustrated, 2014).
The majority of both genders are shown in uniform, which upholds the idea that the most important aspect of these individuals is their role in sport and this finding is congruent with recent research conducted on the presentation of athletes, in or out of uniform in collegiate sports catalogs, which found that there is not a significant statistical difference between the genders (Buyssee, 2013). However, what exactly they appear to be doing in those uniforms differs greatly. Professional baseball, football, basketball, hockey, golf, NASCAR, soccer and ski athletes, as well as collegiate football and basketball men are captured in action 48 out of 79 covers featuring male athletes. For females, the 1 out of 6 covers showing an athlete in action sharply contrasts that trend, which again speaks to the current notion of where genders belong (Sports Illustrated, 2014). This finding is supported by the same study mentioned before, as it found, "[…] men are significantly more likely to be portrayed as competent athletes than women" (Buysse, 2013).
The consequences of these findings are obvious; as women continue to seek equality in sports, the mass media in undermining the revolution and is doing so because female athletes agree to present themselves in the expected manner. These findings support existing academic research on the subject, as well as the social norms the US mass media conveys to the public.
The only time a male exposes an abnormal amount of skin on a cover is when 49'er quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, appears in a cropped t-shirt with a 6-pack (of abs) displayed (Sports Illustrated, 2014). Gaining on-field popularity since the 2012 season, Kaepernick's popularity with society and the media has exploded due to his appearance, which has made him somewhat of a sex symbol. Johnny "Football" Manziel and Kobe Bryant are two other notable male athletes whose appearance on their covers appear stylized both in fashion and hair/makeup, which parallels the off-field focus of those specific issues (Sports Illustrated, 2014). On the other hand, apart from Little League baseball's Mo'ne Davis who was the only female athlete shown in action, every female on a cover was highly dressed and done up, suggesting that their appearance is as important as their role in sports. Additionally, 5 out of 6 women appear smiling compared to the 12 out of 79 men, or groups of men, photographed while smiling. In 19 out of 31 staged photos, males are displayed with an aggressively stern face or a smirk rather than a smile, which suggests the constant competitiveness male athletes possess and their intellectual prowess over counterparts, respectively (Sports Illustrated, 2014).
The majority of both genders are shown in uniform, which upholds the idea that the most important aspect of these individuals is their role in sport and this finding is congruent with recent research conducted on the presentation of athletes, in or out of uniform in collegiate sports catalogs, which found that there is not a significant statistical difference between the genders (Buyssee, 2013). However, what exactly they appear to be doing in those uniforms differs greatly. Professional baseball, football, basketball, hockey, golf, NASCAR, soccer and ski athletes, as well as collegiate football and basketball men are captured in action 48 out of 79 covers featuring male athletes. For females, the 1 out of 6 covers showing an athlete in action sharply contrasts that trend, which again speaks to the current notion of where genders belong (Sports Illustrated, 2014). This finding is supported by the same study mentioned before, as it found, "[…] men are significantly more likely to be portrayed as competent athletes than women" (Buysse, 2013).
The consequences of these findings are obvious; as women continue to seek equality in sports, the mass media in undermining the revolution and is doing so because female athletes agree to present themselves in the expected manner. These findings support existing academic research on the subject, as well as the social norms the US mass media conveys to the public.
Reference List
Buysse, J., & Wolter, S. (2013). Gender Representation in 2010 NCAA Division I Media Guides: The Battle for Equity was only Temporarily Won.Journal Of Issues In Intercollegiate Athletics, 61-21.
2014 Sports Illustrated Covers. (n.d.). Retrieved October 9, 2014, from http://www.si.com/more-sports/photos/2014/06/18/si-covers-2014#87
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Reflecting on the Shame of College Sports
The NCAA is a ruling body whose mission is to provide a fair playing field for amateur student-athletes across the board by enforcing rules pertaining to conferences, universities, coaches, alumni, current student-athletes, and their fans. It claims commitment and responsibility to give its student-athletes the chance to not only perform collegiately, but also plan for a future on or off the field. Unfortunately, despite the claim of this mission, the NCAA is often accused of not adhering to its own goals at the expense of student-athletes in most situations. The NCAA was created to serve the student-athlete, however when under fire in court, the NCAA crushes the very student-athletes who support its industry because it is determined to maintain the utmost amount of power and control due to the amount of money college sports generate annually (Branch, 2011). The billions of dollars student-athletes in Big-Time College sports generate for the NCAA, their universities, and private companies has caused much debate in recent years because the players are not earning any money for themselves, despite the amount of work they put in to their sports.
However, when suggested that Big-Time student-athletes should get paid, the NCAA immediately turns down the very thought because that would remove the "amateur" status of its participants, which allows them to profit vast amounts of money. The terms "amateurism" and "student-athlete" are of critical importance to the NCAA because time and time again, it is able to win court trials based upon the ideas those words convey. The ambiguity of "student-athlete" supports the NCAA's prowess because as athletes, young men and women are not held to the same academic standards as their non-athlete counterparts, but because they are still students, they do not receive any sort of compensation for their labor (Branch, 2011). That notion has allowed the NCAA to avoid workmen's compensation for injuries athletes sustain while in college because the "student" aspect of a student-athlete insures that these young people are not employed by the university or NCAA and this is supported by the fact that NCAA athletes do not pay taxes on financial aid (Branch, 2011). This is a topic that I believe should be reconsidered because playing collegiate sports is a high risk commitment and although athletes must sign waivers acknowledging the potential risks, the NCAA should stay true to its word and do its best to help provide its current and former athletes with a successful future, which I think should include financial support for life-long injuries sustained while on the collegiate playing field. On the subject of signing documents, student-athletes must sign a contract that waives their right to any proceeds made from merchandise involving their name or picture, which undermines the NCAA's claim that there are no property rights involved in amateur, collegiate sport (Branch, 2011). The amateur title should not be removed from all NCAA athletes, however the 1% of student-atheltes in Big-Time sports who generate 90% of the NCAA's commission should be paid (Branch, 2011). The removal of amateur status from those athletes could seek to make amends to the current problem of unpaid labor, though the problem of commercialism in collegiate sports requires a solution far greater than paying a portion of NCAA athletes a fraction of the money they generate annually.
Coaches, by nature, are accountable for their players and therefore should protect student-athletes and amateurism at all costs, but this is not the case as they too have been lured by the amount of money brought in by commercializing Big-Time College sports. Due to lucrative contracts, which have basketball coaches at top programs earning more that $4 million per year and football coaches earning more than $2 million annually in addition to benefits and bonuses, coaches have lost sight of what should be their main concern - the student-athletes - and are immune to oversight (Branch, 2011). That oversight causes coaches to see passed potentially rule breaking and/or illegal activity, which when caught, is all over the media. Recent scandals include the 2011 University of Miami football players who were caught accepting cash and services from a booster due to their role on the team, 2013 Rutger's men's basketball coach being fired after caught mentally and physically abusing players, the 2001 Georgia men's basketball coaches forging grades in order to maintain eligibility for players (Scandals, 2013). Though these scandals differ in nature, those very difference speak volumes to the gap between the reality of Big-Time College sports and the rhetoric of the NCAA mission statement. The NCAA claims to guide athletes on and off the field, as well as in the future, but these scandals are indicative of cheating and breaking laws because the main concern is not the athlete, it definitely is not the student-athlete's academic success, but instead it is all about winning championships and bringing home the most money.
However, when suggested that Big-Time student-athletes should get paid, the NCAA immediately turns down the very thought because that would remove the "amateur" status of its participants, which allows them to profit vast amounts of money. The terms "amateurism" and "student-athlete" are of critical importance to the NCAA because time and time again, it is able to win court trials based upon the ideas those words convey. The ambiguity of "student-athlete" supports the NCAA's prowess because as athletes, young men and women are not held to the same academic standards as their non-athlete counterparts, but because they are still students, they do not receive any sort of compensation for their labor (Branch, 2011). That notion has allowed the NCAA to avoid workmen's compensation for injuries athletes sustain while in college because the "student" aspect of a student-athlete insures that these young people are not employed by the university or NCAA and this is supported by the fact that NCAA athletes do not pay taxes on financial aid (Branch, 2011). This is a topic that I believe should be reconsidered because playing collegiate sports is a high risk commitment and although athletes must sign waivers acknowledging the potential risks, the NCAA should stay true to its word and do its best to help provide its current and former athletes with a successful future, which I think should include financial support for life-long injuries sustained while on the collegiate playing field. On the subject of signing documents, student-athletes must sign a contract that waives their right to any proceeds made from merchandise involving their name or picture, which undermines the NCAA's claim that there are no property rights involved in amateur, collegiate sport (Branch, 2011). The amateur title should not be removed from all NCAA athletes, however the 1% of student-atheltes in Big-Time sports who generate 90% of the NCAA's commission should be paid (Branch, 2011). The removal of amateur status from those athletes could seek to make amends to the current problem of unpaid labor, though the problem of commercialism in collegiate sports requires a solution far greater than paying a portion of NCAA athletes a fraction of the money they generate annually.
Coaches, by nature, are accountable for their players and therefore should protect student-athletes and amateurism at all costs, but this is not the case as they too have been lured by the amount of money brought in by commercializing Big-Time College sports. Due to lucrative contracts, which have basketball coaches at top programs earning more that $4 million per year and football coaches earning more than $2 million annually in addition to benefits and bonuses, coaches have lost sight of what should be their main concern - the student-athletes - and are immune to oversight (Branch, 2011). That oversight causes coaches to see passed potentially rule breaking and/or illegal activity, which when caught, is all over the media. Recent scandals include the 2011 University of Miami football players who were caught accepting cash and services from a booster due to their role on the team, 2013 Rutger's men's basketball coach being fired after caught mentally and physically abusing players, the 2001 Georgia men's basketball coaches forging grades in order to maintain eligibility for players (Scandals, 2013). Though these scandals differ in nature, those very difference speak volumes to the gap between the reality of Big-Time College sports and the rhetoric of the NCAA mission statement. The NCAA claims to guide athletes on and off the field, as well as in the future, but these scandals are indicative of cheating and breaking laws because the main concern is not the athlete, it definitely is not the student-athlete's academic success, but instead it is all about winning championships and bringing home the most money.
Reference List
Branch, T. (2011). The shame of college sports. The Atlantic, (3). 80.
Most significant college sports scandals. (2013, September 13). Retrieved October 2, 2014.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Once the cheering stops: The life of a retired pro-athlete
They are seen everywhere - TV, billboards, and magazines - "they" are professional athletes and contrary to the dream life they live as the media portrays, several athletes face an identity crisis upon leaving their sport. This identity crisis is triggered because athletes must face reality when their time at the top is over and unfortunately, "immaturity, dubious investments, profligate spending, poor financial planning and shotgun marriages," all play a role in a retired athlete's struggle to find a new normal (Wallis, 2012, p. 2). Due to the expendability of players, their careers are generally over before they anticipate and with little plan for the future. Filing for bankruptcy is becoming increasingly popular trend for retired athletes and one study found, "78% of NFL retirees have gone bankrupt or are under financial stress within two years of their career ending because of joblessness or divorce" (Platt, 2014, 118). Another problem is the increasing number of ex-player suicides. Within a three year span, between 2010-2012, 12 ex-pros committed suicide for reasons that some attribute to excessive head injury resulting in emotional trauma and suicidal tendencies, especially when coupled with social and psychological factors (Tinley, 2012, 2). Those "social" and "psychological" factors are the result of facing the "real" world following a sports career and although cases of suicide are still uncommon enough to shock the public when they occur, the number of former pros dealing with similar issues is endless. In order to understand how athletes struggle with retirement, it is important to look at the power and place sports hold in American society (Tinley, 2012, 1). The American public places professional athletes on one of the highest social pedestals and when a younger, faster, and better athlete comes up, the initially described athletes are forced off that high ground and are sent crashing down to a reality they have never faced.
After committing to a time intensive routine of practice, weights, competition and rehabilitation at a young age, most athletes tend to find developing a daily routine after retirement difficult because their schedule is not outlined in detail, leaving them with more time on their hands than they have had at any point of their adulthood (Chadiha, 2012, 4). This is an issue that I have considered at times during my collegiate career because it is hard to imagine a life, or even a week, where my life is not dictated by practice schedules and team meetings. However, due to the student aspect of my student-athlete title, I am creating a plan for my post-graduate life with the hopes that I do not find myself with the problem of too much time on my hands. Another challenge athletes face as they transition from their professional lives to their retired lives is the way they have been "hard-wired;" focusing on one task, dismissing distractions, and quickly forgetting about costly mistakes are all critical components in a competitive athletes game (Chadiha, 2012, 3). However, those characteristics do not generally translate well into the business world where individuals must know how to multi-task, draw information from multiple sources, and make adjustments to past mistakes. Athletes must also adapt how they act and react to certain social situations, which can prove problematic because they were worshiped by the American public for a large portion of their lives (Barker, 2014, 261). I had not thought of this problem as part of the difficulty in transitioning, however I understand why it is common for former players because successful athletes tend to have big egos.
Because the majority of these superstar athletes come into a ridiculous amount of money at a young age, they are unaware how to take care of this money and blow it on materialistic items. This problem is amplified when they unknowingly put their earnings in the hands of dirty agents and entrepreneurs who end up stealing or losing the athletes massive amounts of money because they do not know who they can and cannot trust (30 for 30, 2012). It seems unfathomable to me how people can burn through millions of dollars in the blink of an eye, but due to the competitive nature of athletes to be the best and have the best, it seems to make more sense and it is obviously possible. Here, sports are a microcosm of society as players being to make more money than they have ever had before, they tend to spend it to have what is perceived as a better life, and that ultimately ends in their loss and social ruination (30 for 30, 2012). That parallel is easier for me to swallow and it is definitely a concern of mine as I head into self-supporting adulthood and through my education, future career, and proactivity, I plan to avoid that route at all costs.
Word Count: 783
Reference List
Barker, D., Barker-Ruchti, N., Rynne, S., & Lee, J. (2014). Moving out of Sports: A Sociocultural Examination of Olympic Career Transitions.International Journal Of Sports Science & Coaching, 9(2), 255-270.
Chadiha, Jeff. (2012). Life after the NFL is a struggle for many former players. ESPN. p. 1-7.
Platt, L. (2014). Life after the game. Sports Illustrated, 121(1), 116-122.
Tinley, Scott. (2012). Why did Junior Seau kill himself? Exploring athletes and depression. Sports Illustrated. p. 1-3.
Wallis, D. (2012). Help for Pro Athletes When the Cheering Stops. The New York Times. p. 1-5.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Sport, Politics and the Olympics
The 1968 Mexico City Olympics were Games of national and international turmoil and have become known for the Tlatelolco student massacre and the "black power salute." Ten days prior to the opening ceremonies, the Mexican army opened fire on a group of about 10,000 students, workers and bystanders, killing about 100, during a peaceful student rally gathered due to the government's recent violent actions (Sellers, 2012). Mexico City's selection in 1963 to host the Games five years later marked the first time in history that the Olympics would be held in a developing country and for that reason, the Mexican military was not going to let anything get in the way of them, not even the lives of its citizens (Brewster, 2010). This is because the Mexican elites hoped that the Games would help project a positive image of the country across the globe, which is an example of a political use of sport in the form of propaganda (Eitzen, 2009, 198). In other words, the ruling elite in Mexico pushed to hold this international competition because they wanted to unite the masses and shed new light on the nation as a whole.
Six months prior to this massacre, the United States faced the assassination of African-American civil rights activist, Martin Luther King Jr. During a time of racism in America, this murder generated additional national and international attention and activism (Sellers, 2012). Fighting for the same cause was the founder of the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR), Harry Edwards, a student-athlete at San Jose State University. OPHR drew national attention to the dangers black collegiate athletes faced, the lack of black collegiate coaches, and the discrimination of blacks in college towns (Murphy, 2008). Tommie Smith and John Carlos were also athletes at SJSU where they ran track and supported Edwards' project. Those two men went on to win gold and bronze, respectively, in the 200-meter sprint at the 1968 Games and while on the podium, they each raised a gloved fist during the Star Spangled Banner in attempt to silently protest treatment of blacks back home (Murphy, 2008). That gesture became known as the "black power salute" and caused the two men to lose their awards due to their disrespect to America, however years later, the men are now recognized as heroes for the bravery of their silent protest on an international stage. This event was indicative of two different types of political uses of sport including sport used as a vehicle for change and the relationship between sport and nationalism. Edwards proposed black American athletes boycott the Olympics in order to raise awareness of the racism present in the US and although this was not a realistic request, that idea inspired Smith and Carlos to carry out their action on the Olympic stage, ultimately using sports as a vehicle for change (Eitzen, 2009, 210). Due to the close relationship between sport and nationalism in which sport is used to unite a nation with pride through the militaristic pageantry, when Smith and Carlos raised their fists, the United States Olympic Committee determined their gesture as disrespectful and punished the athletes, despite their claim that the Olympics are not a political event (Murphy, 2008).
These two examples in sports are indicative of the inaccuracy of the claim that sport is pure and devoid of political interference. Although these are two extreme cases in which politics and sports are intertwined with negative repercussions, I believe that sports require some degree of politics in order to exist as a social organization.
Six months prior to this massacre, the United States faced the assassination of African-American civil rights activist, Martin Luther King Jr. During a time of racism in America, this murder generated additional national and international attention and activism (Sellers, 2012). Fighting for the same cause was the founder of the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR), Harry Edwards, a student-athlete at San Jose State University. OPHR drew national attention to the dangers black collegiate athletes faced, the lack of black collegiate coaches, and the discrimination of blacks in college towns (Murphy, 2008). Tommie Smith and John Carlos were also athletes at SJSU where they ran track and supported Edwards' project. Those two men went on to win gold and bronze, respectively, in the 200-meter sprint at the 1968 Games and while on the podium, they each raised a gloved fist during the Star Spangled Banner in attempt to silently protest treatment of blacks back home (Murphy, 2008). That gesture became known as the "black power salute" and caused the two men to lose their awards due to their disrespect to America, however years later, the men are now recognized as heroes for the bravery of their silent protest on an international stage. This event was indicative of two different types of political uses of sport including sport used as a vehicle for change and the relationship between sport and nationalism. Edwards proposed black American athletes boycott the Olympics in order to raise awareness of the racism present in the US and although this was not a realistic request, that idea inspired Smith and Carlos to carry out their action on the Olympic stage, ultimately using sports as a vehicle for change (Eitzen, 2009, 210). Due to the close relationship between sport and nationalism in which sport is used to unite a nation with pride through the militaristic pageantry, when Smith and Carlos raised their fists, the United States Olympic Committee determined their gesture as disrespectful and punished the athletes, despite their claim that the Olympics are not a political event (Murphy, 2008).
These two examples in sports are indicative of the inaccuracy of the claim that sport is pure and devoid of political interference. Although these are two extreme cases in which politics and sports are intertwined with negative repercussions, I believe that sports require some degree of politics in order to exist as a social organization.
Word Count: 595
Works Cited
Brewster, C. (2010). Changing impressions of mexico for the 1968 games. Bulletin of Latin American Research, 29, 23-45.
Eitzen, D.S & Sage, G.H. (2009).
Sociology of North American Sport. Boulder, Paradigm Publishers: Chapter 9:
195-213.
Murphy, A. (2008). John carlos. Sports Illustrated, 109(2), 84-86.
Sellers, Susan. (2012). Remembering the XIX olympiad mexico city 1968. Horse Sport, 45(9), 42-45.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
China Factor: The Globalization of the NCAA
In late August 2012, the UCLA men's basketball team went international and played in China against local competition, whom they beat in all three scheduled contests (UCLA Bruins, 2012). There has been a recent push to expand the NCAA globally due to its ability to do so and the benefits of doing so. That ability largely comes from the massive amount of money - nearly $1 billion - the NCAA makes in a year, of which, over 80% comes from the Men's Division I Basketball Tournament (Alesia, 2014). Quite obviously, the NCAA's push for globalization is a refusal to accept limits, which is an aspect of the Sport Ethic, as it promotes schools, conferences and American sports beyond our borders (Hughes & Coakley, 1991, p. 309). The opportunity to travel across the globe is a unique experience that has the potential to set athletes, schools, and conferences apart from others, which is also a dimension of the Sport Ethic due to the desire to strive for distinction (Hughes & Coakley, 1991, p. 309). From experience, I know that certain games are capable of generating a unique eagerness to hit the field, whether it is who we are about to face, what is on the line, or even the very field that we are about to step foot on. It is for this seemingly innate excitement that the UCLA men's basketball team looked forward to their China trip with the hope that it would kickstart their year following a disappointing 2011-2012 season (Katz, 2012). Additionally, giving athletes the chance to immerse themselves in another culture is generally an unforgettable experience that may give rise to new interests and thoughts as well as reflecting well upon the university and organization that made such a trip possible.
Though the UCLA men's basketball team could have received a cultural experience elsewhere, China was chosen as their destination because basketball is the most popular sport in China (Katz, 2012). For this reason, Chinese teams offer good competition for American teams, as well as a potential tap for new, young talent. Recent trends in collegiate sports, including basketball, have coaches recruiting foreign talent to fill out the best teams possible, and the globalization of basketball has allowed coaches to find high-quality players in minimally exposed places (Winn, 2010). The Pac-12 commissioner also chose China due to the diverse demographic profiles UCLA and other conference schools possess, with the intent to help spread the NCAA outside of the US (Katz, 2012). Essentially what the commissioner did by choosing the recognizable flagship program UCLA men's basketball is, was generate a more diverse crowd overseas containing both alumni and current students, so as to spread popularity internationally. In order to help with this expansion, the commissioner has also made a few important hires including that of a Shanghai-native who now serves as a Pac-12 senior manager (Katz, 2012). This was done in order to help the NCAA in the business realm of the globalization process and I would not be surprised if the UCLA players and staff were taught certain cultural behaviors prior to the trip, as well as being provided with a few translators on the trip to help knock down the language barrier. Each of these assets costs money, however as previously mentioned, the NCAA has a rather deep wallet and the globalization of basketball is proving to be a priority of theirs.
Though all of this is being conveyed optimistically, there are certainly consequences of this globalization process. When facing another school, the players are playing for the name on the front of their uniform, however as soon as international borders are crossed, they are now representative of their home nation. This can be problematic because a new degree of emotion is mixed into the game for these young collegiate athletes, so much so that it could lead to violence as was seen when Georgetown's men's basketball team brawled with a Chinese team on Chinese turf (Katz, 2012). That fight was spun positively as a "bonding moment" for the team, but it ultimately reveals another element to the dark-side of this expansion - despite what may seem like bringing two nations together via sport, is actually more about the selfish betterment of the American school, conference and sport (Katz, 2012). As mentioned before, the unique opportunity of traveling outside the country gets people energized, however that excitement can also result in harm to the player due to the heightened feeling of needing to play through pain. For example, three months prior to UCLA's big trip, an incoming freshman had thumb surgery and although the coaches explained that they were not counting on him to make a return in time, they also did not count him out because the surgery was not as serious as anticipated (Katz, 2012). This is indicative of the "accept risks and play through pain" mentality that is an omnipresent dimension of the Sport Ethic (Hughes & Coakley, 1991, p. 308). With all of this in mind, it will be interesting to watch the globalization of NCAA basketball, as well as other sports, and the problems that may arise.
Alesia, M. (2014, March 27). NCAA approaching $1 billion per year amid challenges by players. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
Hughes, Robert, and Jay Coakley. (1991). Positive Deviance Among Athletes: The Implications of Overconformity to the Sport Ethic. Sociology of Sport Journal, 8, 307-12.
Katz, Andy. (2012). Trip to China Will Jump-start UCLA's Season. ESPN.
UCLA Bruins Official Athletic Site. (2012, August 29). Retrieved September 10, 2014.
Winn, L. (2010). The Luxury Imports Are Here. Sports Illustrated, 112(9), 58-61
Though the UCLA men's basketball team could have received a cultural experience elsewhere, China was chosen as their destination because basketball is the most popular sport in China (Katz, 2012). For this reason, Chinese teams offer good competition for American teams, as well as a potential tap for new, young talent. Recent trends in collegiate sports, including basketball, have coaches recruiting foreign talent to fill out the best teams possible, and the globalization of basketball has allowed coaches to find high-quality players in minimally exposed places (Winn, 2010). The Pac-12 commissioner also chose China due to the diverse demographic profiles UCLA and other conference schools possess, with the intent to help spread the NCAA outside of the US (Katz, 2012). Essentially what the commissioner did by choosing the recognizable flagship program UCLA men's basketball is, was generate a more diverse crowd overseas containing both alumni and current students, so as to spread popularity internationally. In order to help with this expansion, the commissioner has also made a few important hires including that of a Shanghai-native who now serves as a Pac-12 senior manager (Katz, 2012). This was done in order to help the NCAA in the business realm of the globalization process and I would not be surprised if the UCLA players and staff were taught certain cultural behaviors prior to the trip, as well as being provided with a few translators on the trip to help knock down the language barrier. Each of these assets costs money, however as previously mentioned, the NCAA has a rather deep wallet and the globalization of basketball is proving to be a priority of theirs.
Though all of this is being conveyed optimistically, there are certainly consequences of this globalization process. When facing another school, the players are playing for the name on the front of their uniform, however as soon as international borders are crossed, they are now representative of their home nation. This can be problematic because a new degree of emotion is mixed into the game for these young collegiate athletes, so much so that it could lead to violence as was seen when Georgetown's men's basketball team brawled with a Chinese team on Chinese turf (Katz, 2012). That fight was spun positively as a "bonding moment" for the team, but it ultimately reveals another element to the dark-side of this expansion - despite what may seem like bringing two nations together via sport, is actually more about the selfish betterment of the American school, conference and sport (Katz, 2012). As mentioned before, the unique opportunity of traveling outside the country gets people energized, however that excitement can also result in harm to the player due to the heightened feeling of needing to play through pain. For example, three months prior to UCLA's big trip, an incoming freshman had thumb surgery and although the coaches explained that they were not counting on him to make a return in time, they also did not count him out because the surgery was not as serious as anticipated (Katz, 2012). This is indicative of the "accept risks and play through pain" mentality that is an omnipresent dimension of the Sport Ethic (Hughes & Coakley, 1991, p. 308). With all of this in mind, it will be interesting to watch the globalization of NCAA basketball, as well as other sports, and the problems that may arise.
Word Count: 856
Works Cited
Alesia, M. (2014, March 27). NCAA approaching $1 billion per year amid challenges by players. Retrieved September 10, 2014.
Hughes, Robert, and Jay Coakley. (1991). Positive Deviance Among Athletes: The Implications of Overconformity to the Sport Ethic. Sociology of Sport Journal, 8, 307-12.
Katz, Andy. (2012). Trip to China Will Jump-start UCLA's Season. ESPN.
UCLA Bruins Official Athletic Site. (2012, August 29). Retrieved September 10, 2014.
Winn, L. (2010). The Luxury Imports Are Here. Sports Illustrated, 112(9), 58-61
Monday, September 1, 2014
Sport, Society, & Me
I grew up on sports - watching, playing, and dreaming. What started as a group of four years olds following around black and white ball developed into a lifestyle centered around hitting a yellow ball as hard and as far as possible. Upon entering my double-digit years, I decided that softball was the sport for me and to this day it has not let me go. My eldest sister was and still is the most influential person in my athletic career as she is the one who initially sparked my interest in the sport and developed that spark into a full-fledged, fiery passion for the game. As I got older and more competitive, softball began to root itself deeper and deeper into my life by means of taking over my time, social group, and career interests. It went so far as to control my decision of which university I would attend and it was at this point that I experienced the greatest barrier of my athletic career. Growing up I was called a "tomboy" for playing sports and "unimpressive" for playing the feminized version of baseball, but the task of finding how and where I would continue to play the sport I love was by far the most challenging obstacle of all. I was constantly told that I was "too skinny," "not strong enough," "not fast enough," essentially, not good enough, to play at the competitive Division 1 collegiate level. Though at times that knocked me down, it ultimately fueled my fire and paid off with a spot on Pacific's softball team.
It was not until I reached college that I realized how much more there is to life than softball and sport and it was at that point that softball no longer played the most prominent role in my life. Entering my collegiate career may seem like the wrong time for that realization to take place, but I actually found it to ground me personally as I became more open to meaningful relationships and in a greater pursuit of my future, as well as connected to my game in a whole new way. Now I use softball as more of an outlet, an escape from academic and personal stress, whereas in high school it was just the opposite due to the multitude of stresses generated from softball. More generally, my love and interest in sports as a whole have led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in Sport Medicine and a career in physical therapy or some other profession involving athletes.
Sport clearly plays a large role in my life and it is due in part to the positive image shed on the sporting world during my upbringing. However, with age I have started to develop a greater understanding of the negative role sport plays in US society in terms of exploitation, cheating and general selfishness. I was always taught to be a team player, act courteous to all players, respect my elders and the game, dedicate myself, and above all - have fun. But in order to succeed at higher levels, an athlete in most cases is forced to put oneself ahead of the team, treat the opponent as the enemy, and handle the game as a job. Due to the pervasive manner of sport, it is no surprise how large a role it plays in American society, but it is surprising, to me at least, how omnipresent its "dark side" is, which takes away from the self-fulfillment, excitement and pure joy of sport, while uncovering the paradoxes of sport (Eitzen, 2006, pg. 4-6). With that said, I still believe that sport is of critical importance in American society because it has the potential to offer a multidimensional outlet from everyday life and social standing, an outline for the youth's character, and a sense of belonging. Additionally, sports introduce children to the importance of exercise and health and in organized sports, the requirement of a pre-participatory physical examination gives families more knowledge of their child(ren)'s current health status, which may prevent future injuries (Headlee, 2014, pg. 277).
Currently, athletes hold an important position in society due to how highly publicized sports are. Male athletes, especially those who play football, basketball, baseball, or hockey, collegiately and professionally, garner the greatest value and respect of the American public, which is made blatantly obvious through the massive amount of media coverage they receive. However, sociologists recommend that individuals critically examine all social arrangements that sports encompass so that they may reevaluate their perception of sport (Eitzen, 2006, pg. 5). That examination includes the myths, stereotypes, media claims and paradoxes that surround sports and due to this recommendation, I am going to challenge myself to see sports differently so that I might develop new attitudes.
It was not until I reached college that I realized how much more there is to life than softball and sport and it was at that point that softball no longer played the most prominent role in my life. Entering my collegiate career may seem like the wrong time for that realization to take place, but I actually found it to ground me personally as I became more open to meaningful relationships and in a greater pursuit of my future, as well as connected to my game in a whole new way. Now I use softball as more of an outlet, an escape from academic and personal stress, whereas in high school it was just the opposite due to the multitude of stresses generated from softball. More generally, my love and interest in sports as a whole have led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in Sport Medicine and a career in physical therapy or some other profession involving athletes.
Sport clearly plays a large role in my life and it is due in part to the positive image shed on the sporting world during my upbringing. However, with age I have started to develop a greater understanding of the negative role sport plays in US society in terms of exploitation, cheating and general selfishness. I was always taught to be a team player, act courteous to all players, respect my elders and the game, dedicate myself, and above all - have fun. But in order to succeed at higher levels, an athlete in most cases is forced to put oneself ahead of the team, treat the opponent as the enemy, and handle the game as a job. Due to the pervasive manner of sport, it is no surprise how large a role it plays in American society, but it is surprising, to me at least, how omnipresent its "dark side" is, which takes away from the self-fulfillment, excitement and pure joy of sport, while uncovering the paradoxes of sport (Eitzen, 2006, pg. 4-6). With that said, I still believe that sport is of critical importance in American society because it has the potential to offer a multidimensional outlet from everyday life and social standing, an outline for the youth's character, and a sense of belonging. Additionally, sports introduce children to the importance of exercise and health and in organized sports, the requirement of a pre-participatory physical examination gives families more knowledge of their child(ren)'s current health status, which may prevent future injuries (Headlee, 2014, pg. 277).
Currently, athletes hold an important position in society due to how highly publicized sports are. Male athletes, especially those who play football, basketball, baseball, or hockey, collegiately and professionally, garner the greatest value and respect of the American public, which is made blatantly obvious through the massive amount of media coverage they receive. However, sociologists recommend that individuals critically examine all social arrangements that sports encompass so that they may reevaluate their perception of sport (Eitzen, 2006, pg. 5). That examination includes the myths, stereotypes, media claims and paradoxes that surround sports and due to this recommendation, I am going to challenge myself to see sports differently so that I might develop new attitudes.
Word Count: 792
Reference List
Eitzen, D.S
(2006). Fair and Foul: Beyond the Myths and Paradoxes of Sport (2nd
Ed.). Oxford, Rowman &
Littlefield: Chapter 1
Headlee, D., Nord, W., & Huntington, M. (2014). Preparticipation physical evaluations in youth sports: a systematic review of current recommendations. South Dakota Medicine: The Journal Of The South Dakota State Medical Association, 67(7), 273-277.
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