As the end of the semester draws near, and continuation on this blog ceases following this entry, I believe it is necessary (not to mention required) to reflect on topics of discussion and readings from the Fall '09 edition of Dr. Spencer's SM 2210 - History & Philosophy of Sport.
At the beginning of the sememster, the class was asked to write about a historical event or figure in sport that we would like witness in person. My selection was to see Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt smash the World Record in the 100m at the 2009 World Championships of Track & Field. Revisiting this subject, watching Bolt outrun his competition would still be quite the experience for me. In addition, I would also like to place attending the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver on my must-see-event wish list. The competition for the gold medal in Men's Ice Hockey may be the most hotly contested battle of the games. Also, Vancouver could be the last time players from the NHL are used in Olympic Hockey because the National Hockey League has yet to commit to the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia. To my knowledge, the NHL is the only North American sport league that completely closes its doors to allow its players to take part in the Winter Olympic Games.
Speaking of the Olympics, of the topics we covered in class, I would have liked to spend more time discussing the history, impact, and importance of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games throughout the last century or more. I wrote about the Olympics in a previous post following a class lecture on the Politics of the Olympics (from an American perspective) from the 1930s through the 1980s.
While the discussion board, journal/blog entries, and ethical issues presentations gave the students a forum to speak about recent events in sport, I believe that including a lecture on the current and future direction of sport would have made for a lot of intriguing conversation. A lecture of this nature was never formulated due to time constraints, but perhaps it will be included in future installments of SM2210.
Overall, I found this class to be very interesting and it is obvious that Dr. Spencer has a passion for teaching and sport. I learned alot about legislation or measures that helped shape the governance of sport, how the games were played, and key events/figures of sport thoughout the years. I enjoyed reading about the history and philosophy of sport, and I look forward to applying some ideals from the course to whatever my future may hold in the world of sport.
Many thanks to Dr. Spencer for an enjoyable educational experience, and thanks to those who have taken the time out to visit this site.
Good day.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Art of Storytelling
Over the last few years, anyone that knows me personally can tell you how often I have voiced my displeasure with ESPN. In my opinion, the cable network operates more like the NFL Network and less like the "Worldwide Leader in Sports." Perhaps my unhappiness with ESPN stems from the fact that I am a life-long hockey fan, and the network rarely acknowledges the NHL throughout the regular season. Despite my stance on the television network, it is worth noting that I have the ESPN.com website set as the homepage on my internet browser.
Could I be classified as a hypocrite? Perhaps. However, compared to the competition, ESPN usually has the best coverage of all North American sports. Being a fan of sport, I simply cannot help myself. Although, my television viewership of the network has steadily decreased since the introduction of the NHL Network. Personal feelings aside, it would be most productive to get back to the purpose of this post.
While burying myself in studies over the weekend in preparation for final exam week, I took a minor break to find out who won the Heisman Trophy. As I turned on the television and changed the channel to ESPN, I caught the closing credits of the presentation and noticed Alabama's Mark Ingram holding up the prestegious award. What happened next changed my semi-strict studying schedule, and cost me a few hours of sleep as well.
Beginning in October, ESPN began the - 30 for 30 - campaign. Described on their website as "an unprecedented documentary series featuring thirty films from some of today’s finest storytellers. Each filmmaker will bring their passion and personal point of view to their film detailing the issues, trends, athletes, teams, rivalries, games and events that transformed the sports landscape from 1979 to 2009."
On this particular evening, the feature focused on how the University of Miami Hurricanes football program was transformed into 'The U.' For two hours, I sat and stared at the television, completely immersed. The story unfolded like the plot of a movie. "The U" was television at its finest. In fact, I was so enthralled with the show that I watched the encore presentation that night, which kept me wide-awake until 3:30 am.
The next day, it seems as though I woke up singing 'It's all about the U.' I searched the programming guide on my television to find the next time that I could watch the documentary. The ESPNU network provided me with the fix I needed. After viewing "The U" for the third time in slightly over 24 hours, and interrupting my study time once more, I choose to watch story about a basketball phenom who never got the chance to shine on the NBA level. "Without Bias" was the story of University of Maryland star and Boston Celtics draft pick Len Bias, who tragically passed away from a cocaine overdose less than 48 hours after his dream of reaching the NBA came to fruition. Prior to watching the Len Bias documentary, I only vaguely knew of his story. It is a heart-wrenching tale and should serve as a reminder that second chances in life are not always guaranteed. According to "Without Bias", the passing of Len Bias also changed the penalty scale for first time drug offenders in the U.S. and initiated the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program - or D.A.R.E.
For as critical as I have been of ESPN, the two stories that pulled me away from my studies were well worth it. In terms of entertainment, educational value, and ability to feel moved as result of storytelling, ESPN certainly has it correct with "The U" & "Without Bias."
To learn more on the 30 for 30 documentary series, visit 30for30.espn.com
Good day.
Could I be classified as a hypocrite? Perhaps. However, compared to the competition, ESPN usually has the best coverage of all North American sports. Being a fan of sport, I simply cannot help myself. Although, my television viewership of the network has steadily decreased since the introduction of the NHL Network. Personal feelings aside, it would be most productive to get back to the purpose of this post.
While burying myself in studies over the weekend in preparation for final exam week, I took a minor break to find out who won the Heisman Trophy. As I turned on the television and changed the channel to ESPN, I caught the closing credits of the presentation and noticed Alabama's Mark Ingram holding up the prestegious award. What happened next changed my semi-strict studying schedule, and cost me a few hours of sleep as well.
Beginning in October, ESPN began the - 30 for 30 - campaign. Described on their website as "an unprecedented documentary series featuring thirty films from some of today’s finest storytellers. Each filmmaker will bring their passion and personal point of view to their film detailing the issues, trends, athletes, teams, rivalries, games and events that transformed the sports landscape from 1979 to 2009."
On this particular evening, the feature focused on how the University of Miami Hurricanes football program was transformed into 'The U.' For two hours, I sat and stared at the television, completely immersed. The story unfolded like the plot of a movie. "The U" was television at its finest. In fact, I was so enthralled with the show that I watched the encore presentation that night, which kept me wide-awake until 3:30 am.
The next day, it seems as though I woke up singing 'It's all about the U.' I searched the programming guide on my television to find the next time that I could watch the documentary. The ESPNU network provided me with the fix I needed. After viewing "The U" for the third time in slightly over 24 hours, and interrupting my study time once more, I choose to watch story about a basketball phenom who never got the chance to shine on the NBA level. "Without Bias" was the story of University of Maryland star and Boston Celtics draft pick Len Bias, who tragically passed away from a cocaine overdose less than 48 hours after his dream of reaching the NBA came to fruition. Prior to watching the Len Bias documentary, I only vaguely knew of his story. It is a heart-wrenching tale and should serve as a reminder that second chances in life are not always guaranteed. According to "Without Bias", the passing of Len Bias also changed the penalty scale for first time drug offenders in the U.S. and initiated the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program - or D.A.R.E.
For as critical as I have been of ESPN, the two stories that pulled me away from my studies were well worth it. In terms of entertainment, educational value, and ability to feel moved as result of storytelling, ESPN certainly has it correct with "The U" & "Without Bias."
To learn more on the 30 for 30 documentary series, visit 30for30.espn.com
Good day.
Monday, December 14, 2009
The World Stage
Chapter 17 of the Rader textbook - "American Sports in a Global Arena" - focuses on the politics of the Olympic Games. Former International Olympic Committee President Avery Brundage once said that "Sport, like music and other fine arts, transcends politics." In the years following WWII, the Olympic Games became grand spectacles for the international media (Rader, p.300). Athletes have always been required to represent their respective countries - not themselves - in Olympic competition. As a result, the Olympics served as a forum for "international politics and the expression of national identities" (Rader, p.300). The Olympiad temporarily, and somewhat inadvertently, grants each nation the opportunity to champion its political goals.
Athletes that are fortunate enough to participate commonly wear the colors of their country with the utmost pride. On occasion, a small number of athletes choose to take a stand on the Olympic platform. American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos share the one of the most memorable moments of outspokenness in Olympic history. At the 1968 games in Mexico City, following the conclusion of the Men's 200m final, the gold medalist Smith and bronze medalist Carlos bowed their heads and held a clenched fist covered with a black glove to the sky. In addition, the United States medalists stood at the podium and received their medals shoeless – wearing only black socks (San Jose State University). The third man at the podium, silver medal-winning Australian sprinter Peter Norman, joined the silent protest by wearing the same ‘Olympic Project for Human Rights’ (OPHR) badge that was also being worn by Smith and Carlos (BBC News).
The Black Power salute and the OPHR exhibition was a protest against racial inequality at home and abroad. The Mexico City games took place only months after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
All three athletes faced ostracism from the Olympic counsel of their home countries in the wake of the protest. Worldwide headlines and negative media attention followed soon thereafter. Smith and Carlos were ejected from the Olympic Village and the 1968 games. Norman, who suggested that each man wear one of Smith’s gloves after Carlos forgot his in the dressing room – and – asked Smith and Carlos if they had an extra OPHR badge for his own use that day, faced even greater challenges in Australia. He qualified for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games and ranked as high as 5th in the world, but was not selected to represent Australia that year. By intentionally overlooking Norman, Australia failed to send a sprinter to the Olympics for the first time (BBC News). Additionally, during the ceremonies of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Norman was not recognized, despite being one of Australia’s best sprinters ever.
Tommie Smith, John Carlos, and Peter Norman forged a bond at the 1968 Games that remained intact until Norman’s passing in 2006. Both Carlos and Smith served as pallbearers Washington Post columnist Mike Wise revisited the story of Australia’s Peter Norman in an article that can be found here.
On a personal level, I have always found the Summer and Winter Olympic Games to be riveting. The games combine national pride and individual back-stories with incredible feats of athletic achievement for the entire world to see. As a spectator with more than casual interest, I highly recommend viewing the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, which begin in mid-February of 2010.
Good day.
Athletes that are fortunate enough to participate commonly wear the colors of their country with the utmost pride. On occasion, a small number of athletes choose to take a stand on the Olympic platform. American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos share the one of the most memorable moments of outspokenness in Olympic history. At the 1968 games in Mexico City, following the conclusion of the Men's 200m final, the gold medalist Smith and bronze medalist Carlos bowed their heads and held a clenched fist covered with a black glove to the sky. In addition, the United States medalists stood at the podium and received their medals shoeless – wearing only black socks (San Jose State University). The third man at the podium, silver medal-winning Australian sprinter Peter Norman, joined the silent protest by wearing the same ‘Olympic Project for Human Rights’ (OPHR) badge that was also being worn by Smith and Carlos (BBC News).
The Black Power salute and the OPHR exhibition was a protest against racial inequality at home and abroad. The Mexico City games took place only months after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
All three athletes faced ostracism from the Olympic counsel of their home countries in the wake of the protest. Worldwide headlines and negative media attention followed soon thereafter. Smith and Carlos were ejected from the Olympic Village and the 1968 games. Norman, who suggested that each man wear one of Smith’s gloves after Carlos forgot his in the dressing room – and – asked Smith and Carlos if they had an extra OPHR badge for his own use that day, faced even greater challenges in Australia. He qualified for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games and ranked as high as 5th in the world, but was not selected to represent Australia that year. By intentionally overlooking Norman, Australia failed to send a sprinter to the Olympics for the first time (BBC News). Additionally, during the ceremonies of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Norman was not recognized, despite being one of Australia’s best sprinters ever.
Tommie Smith, John Carlos, and Peter Norman forged a bond at the 1968 Games that remained intact until Norman’s passing in 2006. Both Carlos and Smith served as pallbearers Washington Post columnist Mike Wise revisited the story of Australia’s Peter Norman in an article that can be found here.
On a personal level, I have always found the Summer and Winter Olympic Games to be riveting. The games combine national pride and individual back-stories with incredible feats of athletic achievement for the entire world to see. As a spectator with more than casual interest, I highly recommend viewing the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, which begin in mid-February of 2010.
Good day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
