Conclusion - Week 15

This class has been a great learning experience for me. When I first took the class it was just the most interesting thing to me on a list of option electives. Now that I have taken it, I can honestly say I am glad. There is so much history I had no idea about and applying the things I have learned about in class with actual experiences in sport have been a great discovery process! Before taking this class, I knew a little bit here and there about a sport or a bit about a certain person. Now after taking the class, I am confident that i could actually carry on a conversation about those topics. I am also glad that I learned more about racism issues in things like the Redskins or mascots. That was just the start of the semester but I had never considered the Washington Redskins to be a racist name for. This class has opened me up to so many similar ideas and concepts. I don't think I could pick just one thing that will be most useful to me from this class, but I'll try. I guess I would say the video clips were most useful. It's great to sit and class and learn about some of the things I just discussed, but the videos are a great source for backing up that information. The supplemental information in the videos, especially the history ones, were great because you are hearing what we are learning about from people who were actually there.
Keeping a blog during this class was great! It was such a good way for me to be able to reflect further on topics that we talked about in class and allow me to really go into detail about my opinions. Especially since a lot of times in class I know we would get to talking about something and then lose track of time. This gave us the opportunity to reflect on things even if we didn't have time in class. My blog also allowed me to think about concepts and how they could be related to my life and my personal experiences.
As far as ethical presentations go, I think the majority of the ones that I saw were very informative. It was another way to get a little more perspective on an issue that we may not have otherwise had the time to do in class. I think ethical presentations are also something that other students and myself like because it means that there is more for debate and for you to draw your opinion from what is presented. Even though our opinions were hardly discussed during the Q & A portions of their presentations, I know that if there was something I felt strongly about, i would take the time to use my blog to give my opinion on the issue.
Even though my career is event planning, I think i will be taking a little bit of everything from this class. Maybe someday i will work in a position where I will be planning events for a sports related company and I will wow them with my impressive history of sports! But really I think that learning about the historical and philosophical developments in sport are important to move forward with developments in the future and I now feel prepared to do so.

"Saving Players for the Playoffs" - Week 14

This week I have decided to blog about how stupid I think it is that teams "save" their better players during the last couple season games for the playoffs. I think the whole concept is ridiculous. The players in the NBA are professional. During the regular season they go out and play game after game without holding back. Many times those games are even back to back. Resting the players so there is no injury to risk is just an unnecessary precaution. I don't think that Lebron James sitting out of one game would seriously make him play any better or worse in the playoffs.

The main reason this happens to bother me so much this year is because I got to go to the Cavs final home game for fan appreciation night this year. To my dissatisfaction, when I arrive, I come to find that Lebron James, Mo Williams, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Joe Smith did not play. Also, Delonte West and Anderson Varejao played for only the first half. I was so upset because I didn't even get to watch my favorite players at my first live Cavs game. I understand that there is a risk for injury, but there is always a risk. They are taking a risk in practice too.

I guess I am also so mad because they lost. The final score was 110-111. The 76ers had won. Even though Gibson had a chance to take the game and the Cavs were given the perfect opportunity to win in overtime after Miller actually missed a set of free throws, it was hard to be mad at him. After all, without his 3 pointer, they wouldn't have been in overtime to begin with. Then again, if the starters had played the game, they would have blown the 76ers out of the water and tied the Boston Celtic's 1985-86 team with the all-time home record of 40-1. Instead, they are 39-2. It just doesn't sound as good.

Finally, I just want to say that I am never going to go watch my favorite teams at the end of the regular season again, just in case they need to be "rested."

Jackie Robinson - Week 13

Today in class we watched a video about Jackie Robinson and the things he had to overcome in his professional baseball career. It's hard to believe that Jackie was a strong enough person to just sit back and take all of the name calling and isolation from his opponents, fans in the stadium, and even his own teammates. I knew that Jackie broke the color barrier and that his playing for the Dodgers paved the way for generations of colored athletes to come. What I didn't know was that Jackie also opened the door for other colored athletes in other sports like hockey, tennis, and golf. Jackie Robinson's silence during his days of verbal abuse serves as a symbol for the beginning of civil liberties and equalities in sport.
In my last blog I wrote about Athletes today as role models. You couldn't find a better role model than Robinson. He is the epitome of what a role model should be. Not only did he set a good example off the field which is where most athletes have a problem today, he set a good example on the field. In his case, on the field is where he needed to use the most restraint and he most certainly did. Also of course he was a great baseball player which helps with the role model status.
After all is said and done, I just hope that as Jackie Robinson's legacy was continued this year, it will continue to be remembered in the future because it's a story that needs to be told.
As far as the video we saw in class. I don't think at all that it shouldn't have been played. History is exactly that and it should not be altered or sugarcoated in any way, shape, or form. The only way to learn from the past is to get the proper facts and details, no matter how upsetting, can be crucial to someone's understanding of what Jackie Robinson was up against.

Athletes As Role Rodels- Week 12

After the presentation in class about athletes being role models, I decided to write my blog about it. Athletes are most definitely role models whether they want to be or not. I'm going to go ahead and suggest that most athletes out there either don't consider the repercussions of their actions or think they are above the law because they are athletes. When they sign their million dollar contracts, they should consider what comes along with it. It's not like Pro Athletes don't realize they are setting an example for the younger generation. When they were kids they had sports heroes that they looked up to as well. So even though it's not fair, it's life. As everyday people who have "ordinary" careers, the things we do wrong don't impact the lives of millions. For athletes, especially the very popular ones, it does.
I can understand that constantly being in the spotlight and having your every move on watch would get annoying. I do plenty of things when I am with my friends that I would never do in front of my little brother because I don't want him to get the wrong idea. He looks up to me. (Don't worry, I don't do anything too horrible!) The difference between me and Pro Athletes is that I can choose what he sees and what he doesn't. The athletes lives are pretty much an open book. Being a professional athlete requires a level of professionalism that all athletes should be required to fulfill.

Michael Jordan & The Hall of Fame - Week 11

I came across a couple of articles on Yahoo! Sports this week that were about Jordan being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. Obviously there is no question that Jordan deserves his spot there. The controversy is over what exactly he deserves. Michael Jordan is a legacy. He was the NBA MVP five times and won six championships with the Bulls. He deserves more then a plaque in the Hall of Fame. Jordan is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, he was a national sports hero and he has earned a special spot in the Hall of Fame. He should get something more then a simple induction with 4 other athletes. I'm not trying to belittle the accomplishments of the other inductees because I'm sure they are very deserving of their inductions, I just believe that Jordan's talents should be recognized on a higher level. Jordan's plaque will list his accomplishments and records, but the other important things won't be there. For example the excitement that was brought to fans from watching Jordan play or his presence on the court. Air Jordan was a legacy, a phenomenon, and a sports hero. He deserves the recognition that he has earned.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AjM4Za9NqKatA2A2bWrY6OI5nYcB?slug=ap-halloffame&prov=ap&type=lgns

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-jordanhalloffame040609&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Athletic Opponents - Week 10

After completing the discussion question for this week, I decided to blog a little more about the issue. When it comes to an opponent, I see them as just that, my competition. It's not about personal relationships or anything else when I'm out there on the court or the field. In high school I never really considered the possibility of starting a friendship with my opponent. They were just the other team, the other school. Thinking back even, we never had a solid opportunity to try and make friends anyways. Before the game you were warming up and trying to stay focused. Then after the game you were slapping hands, changing, then boarding the bus or heading home. I think it might be a good thing for you to not be friends with the opposing team anyways. It will keep you focused and you have nothing else to worry about.

In college I once played intramural basketball. It was a lot of fun and we were good and even won the championship, but even though I had the opportunity, I still never took the time to make friends. I think it's just a mental thing for me. Opponent does not equal friend.

Another thing we discussed was respect for one another. I believe you should always give the other players the utmost respect. They are out there playing their hardest, just like you. Respecting your opponent is just like showing your respect for the game. I love basketball and I would never want to compromise it. However, you have to give respect to get it. So if there are other girls on the court throwing elbows and getting away with dirty plays, then they just lost my respect. The game should be played with integrity in my opinion!

Also on a side note, my dad got me Cavs tickets! I will be attending the last Cavs home game of the season (Fan Appreciation Night) on April 15th versus the 76ers!!

The Olympics & Politcs don't Mix - Week 9

In class this week we talked about whether or not politics should be involved in the Olympics and watched a clip of Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. After watching the video and reading chapter 12, I can say that my opinion is that politics should not be any part of the Olympics. The Olympic games are about finding the best athletes in each country that train their absolute hardest to compete against the best of the best from nations all across the world. Being a part of the Olympic games is an honor and the opportunity o a lifetime and the athletes deserve to be part of something that is about them, not politics.
However, after reading the chapter I also realize that it may be impossible to completely separate politics from the games. In the 1936 Olympics, Germany spent countless dollars to invest in the proper facilities to host the games. Also, according to Rader, because of the political animosities that arose from WWI, some of the countries were excluded from the following games. Even though politics may always be a part of the games, I think that there is a way for athletes to overcome some of it. That is to go for the gold. Proving yourself on the field is the best way to get back at any political injustices such as Hitler not congratulating Jesse Owens after he received the gold in 1936.

The Great Bambino - Week 8

For week 8 we talked a lot about baseball so I decided to write my blog over baseball and "The Great Bambino," "The Sultan of Swat," Babe Ruth. In my opinion Babe Ruth is probably one of the most controversial players in baseball history. When it comes to the stats he is an excellent player. Babe's records surpassed all other players of his time. What becomes an issue here is what should be taken into account when deciding if a player like babe Ruth should be considered as one of the greatest athletes of last century. Dr. Spencer mentioned in class that ESPN did a special on the 50 greatest athletes of the century and Babe Ruth came in second behind Michael Jordan. This is an issue because even though his stats are outstanding, his social life of being a drinker and being with several women was very well known. He was living the life so to speak. In fact he made more money than the President which was very uncommon at that time. Even though Babe led a reckless lifestyle, I believe that being a great athlete is strictly about how well you do on the field, not what you do off the field. I believe that Babe Ruth deserves his spot at number two on that list regardless of his lifestyle choices.
Another thing we went over in class was how radio announcers and sportswriters built up the legacies of great athletes like Babe Ruth. Sports agent were also just coming around to help the athletes build an image and establish themselves as sports heroes. Even though Babe Ruth was an athlete during this great sports writing era, I still believe that Babe would have become the ultimate national sports hero without them. His social life could have destroyed that image all on it's on but it didn't.

College Athletes Getting Paid - Week 7

In this week's class, we had a presentation over whether or not college athletes should be paid. In my opinion, the athletes should not be paid for something they are choosing to do in the first place. Playing a sport is their choice and it's their fault they don't have time for a part time job. I realize that the athletes bring in a lot of revenue for the university and the athletic department but the university also does a lot for student athletes. A majority of college athletes get college scholarships and living stipends among other perks of simply getting to be on the team. They don't need any extra compensation.
I’m not trying to be cruel about it, but I just don’t think that students should get extra compensation for something they already get so much for. Students get financial aid from the school that is basically the same as a check. Many of them also get other forms of compensation such as free housing and meal plans. College Athletes also get the opportunity to network themselves through sports to potential professional sports teams. That is something that will help those athletes with their future endeavors.
Another way to look at it is if the athletes are going to get paid for playing sports then students in organizations on campus should get paid for their time and dedication that they put in. Athletes put in time at practice and the student orgs put in office hours each week. Both athletes and students in organizations have to put in a lot of extra time after classes so it would only be fair to pay them both, not just the athletes.

Sports & Character - Week 6

In this week's class we were posed with the question of whether or not sports build character? This is a tough question because on one hand, as a child, sports teach kids a lot about character and integrity. Then on the other hand, you read stories about professional athletes making wrong choices all the time, such as steroid use, gambling, or choices that make them a bad role model. Therefore sports could help to build up a good image and outlook for yourself or it could have a negative effect on your character.
Having character is about having qualities that make you who you are and define your moral and ethical standings in my opinion. Sports play a large role in building these qualities. As a child, you grow up on sports teams, learning the rules and what is right and wrong. You are taught about how to play fair and be a good sport. You learn about teamwork, pride, mental and physical strength, and determination. One of the most important lessons you can gain from sport is discipline. If you really want something, you have to be willing to work at it and practice hard. You're going to have to give up some things you want to do to make time for practice and truly dedicate yourself. This type of discipline can apply to your everyday life because if you want to be successful at something you're really going to have to work at it and commit to it. It builds good character to participate in something that is bigger than you and ultimately you better yourself because of it.
On the other hand, we see so many examples of pro athletes that character has been questioned because of things they have done. So even though sports give you the opportunity to build your character, it also allows for the public's opinion of you to become questionable. Every time an athlete make a bad decision or a mistake, it reflects badly on their character and they lose a little respect from their fans.

The Flutie Effect - Week 5

This week I decided to do a little research over Doug Flutie and "The Flutie Effect" after watching a YouTube clip in class of the Hail Mary pass with one second on the clock. The link to the YouTube video can be found by clicking here: Flutie Effect.
Just a little history on arguably the single greatest play in college football of all time: Doug Flutie was the quarterback for Boston College in a 1984 game versus the University of Miami. In the final minutes of a very back and forth game, Miami drove to score and lead Boston College 45-41. The last play by Boston College began with six seconds on the clock and ended with Doug Flutie throwing that famous pass for a BC touchdown and the game! That play sealed the deal for Flutie and he went on to win the Heisman that year. After college, Flutie went on to bigger and better things and ultimately became known as a sports hero. (www.dougflutie.info)

Everything I just said is pretty much what everyone already knows. What most people do not know is who that Hail Mary pass was caught by in the middle of three defenders. His name is Gerard Phelan. I looked all over the internet for more information on Phelan, but frankly, there isn't very much. I found that he was drafted by the New England Patriots in 1985 in the fourth round but a serious knee injury ended his NFL career before it really even got started. I think that is probably the reason we don't hear very much about Phelan or why it doesn't seem as significant to know who caught that ball. Doug Flutie went on to play professional football and was very well known, and that's why we remember him.

Another thing that we touched on in class was that the applications for admission to Boston College increased drastically by 30% the following year after that very dramatic game. After a little research I found that this is sometimes referred to as the "Flutie Factor." This basically means that a University can significantly increase the recognition and value of a school if it has a winning sports team. The authenticity to this claim is something i'm not so sure of. Yes, BC's applications increased following that memorable game, but I found research stating that BC "in the previous decade had embarked on a program to build national enrollment using market research, a network of alumni volunteers, strategically allocated financial aid, and improvements to residence halls and academic facilities, says John Maguire '61, Ph.D.'66. (http://bcm.bc.edu/issues/spring_2003/ll_phenomenology.html) Because of this information, I have trouble believing that admissions to BC was solely because of that game, however, it is possible I suppose!

Super Bowl History -Week 4

In honor of the Super Bowl this past Sunday, I decided to do a post over a little bit of Super Bowl history. I got all of my information from NFL.COM. First I'll start with the most recent game being Super Bowl XLIII with the Arizona Cardinals vs the Pittsburgh Steelers. I'm going to go ahead and throw it out there that I was not happy with the result, but overall it was a great game and I can't complain from a fan point of view. The 100 yard touchdown and famous catch with less than a minute to go will most definitely be memorable moments in Super Bowl history. In class we went over some of the basics such as when the first Super Bowl was played, where at, who was in it, and the final score. All of those facts I have heard before. January 15, 1967. Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. Kansas City Chiefs vs. Green Bay Packers. 10-65. What I didn't know however was that the attendance at the game was so low that the fans were encouraged to move to center of the stadium so that when the cameras flashed the crowd, it would look packed. This would have been literally impossible for me to imagine if I had not seen the actual video because today's Super Bowl event is such a huge deal and tickets to the event are always sold out. I thought the video we watched in class was very interesting because it also showed us some of the other problems that the Super Bowl encountered besides attendance. For example I had no idea that NBC and CBS both covered the first Super Bowl game. I have never known of that to happen and I'm sure there are contracts set in stone for what station the game will played on for years to come. Another thing I thought was interesting that I found while looking at the history was that the half time show used to consist of marching bands for entertainment. Today, the half time show is almost as big of a spectacle as the commercials. ;) Overall, the Super Bowl started out as something small that grew into the spectacle that it is today. It is almost an American holiday these days.

Sports & Animals in Early America-Week 3

This week I decided to write my blog over what I see as cruelty to animals after watching the video in class about Michael Vick and reading about cockfighting and gandering in our readings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZYk91q0Tyk

That is the link to the Michael Vick video on dog fighting.
After viewing that video, I have lost all respect for Michael Vick. I had heard about the situation before, but I never looked into it very much. Dog fighting and killing dogs that did not meet his standards should in no way be considered a sport in my opinion. It's ridiculous that things like that still happen today. . In class we were posed with the question of what if it had been Tom Brady instead of Michael Vick? Would the turnout of the criminal case be any different? In my opinion, it wouldn’t matter who the charges were against, a crime is a crime and everyone deserves the same punishment. In the book we also read about "sports in early America" where cockfighting and pulling a gooses head off were considered favorite pastimes of the common people in southern colonies (American Sports, Rader).

Another thing I wanted to reflect on from class were all of the sports that were played during the revolution. I never realized that there were so many different games played for leisure during the revolution era. We listed over 20 of them in class from Bonnie Ledbetter's article Sport and Games of the American Revolution. I think it's interesting that there were quite a few that are still played today.

Mascots- Week 2

In class last week we watched a video about Native Americans views on using mascots and team names that they find offensive. One example that was used was the Washington Redskins. Honestly I had never really thought about the racism involved in their team name before now. After watching the video and seeing the reaction of the Native Americans and what shame and disgrace it seemed to bring to them, I agree that it is offensive and their name should be changed. Redskin is a racial term and should not be used by any team,, especially one in the National Football League.
In the video, many people were saying that it was an honor for sports teams to have such names as the "Cleveland Indians," but honestly when you feel as if someone is disrespecting your culture, family and heritage, it is not an honor. It is a disgrace.

Another aspect of the mascots is the face painting and dancing. The video said that often the painting and dancing was not authentic. This is not an honor or respectful to Native Americans at all. I feel like the Native Americans feel like they are being mocked, not honored. To take something that is very sacred to them such as tribal face painting and ceremonial dancing and turn it into something else is disrespectful and degrading.

As a regular fan of any sports team that represents Native American culture, many people see their mascot as a symbol of pride and something that is in no way negative. However, the fact is that some people find these blatantly offensive and it's an injustice to sit back and not do anything about it.

Introduction

For starters, my name is Brandy Rosebrock and I am an event planning/tourism major. I'm from Hicksville, OH which is about an hour west of Bowling Green. I am taking this class as an elective because I'm interested in finding out many things I'm sure I don't know. I am a big fan of the Miami Dolphins who I am very proud of (for the most part) this season and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Of course I support my Falcons as much as possible too. I also like the Cavaliers, but I am more into playing basketball than watching it. I don't know very much about the history of sports so I’m hoping this class will give me a good boost of knowledge.

Personally, I used to play soccer when I was in elementary school, softball from t-ball all the way up to my Senior year in high school, and basketball from jr. high to my Senior year. I have always loved playing sports, being part of a team, and of course winning. Basketball has always been my favorite sport to play. It's exciting and I love every second of it. I even coached 4th, 5th, and 6th graders throughout high school because I love helping them understand the game and I love seeing their excitement when they master a layup or hit their first jump shot.

As for my sports interests, being a Miami Dolphins fan wasn't really a choice in my household. I was dressed in Dolphins gear since I was a baby. My dad is a huge Dolphins fan so it just sort of fell into my lap. That’s ok with me because I love them too. I have only seen them play in Miami once but I definitely plan to make the trip again someday. Football is my favorite sport to watch and is really the only one I do so consistently. I'll catch a good NBA or WNBA game though every now and then.

If I could go back in time, the athlete I would most like to watch would be either Dan Marino or Michael Jackson. These two athletes are two of the greatest at their sports in my opinion and I would consider it an honor to watch them at their best.

In taking this class, I am hoping to gain a broader knowledge into the history of sport and its effect on our culture. Other than that, I am very interested in learning about the different aspects of sports that I don't usually encounter.