Violence in Sport

The following blog was provided by Matt McLagan:

Check out these videos below, all showing examples of violence in sport. Whether it is used through intimidation, strategy, or strictly as a conscious effort to physically harm another, this has always been an issue in sport. Even our top athletes and role models engage in all levels of violence, and sometimes when displayed outside of the rules of the game, these actions are dealt with in house (with in the organization). Give examples of violence in sport that you have observed and/or experienced (whether it be within or outside of the rules) and explain what kind of influence that has on spectators and observing youth. How much should violence be emphasized as strategy, within the rules of the game? Are the most severe cases of violence we see in sport go above the law at times? What affect does this have on our athletes (what are we teaching them)?


Hockey Fight (used as strategy for the game): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz7Nb6uzg0s

Brutal Body Contact/Borderline Violence (notice the celebration after the play) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGNJox8eLpE

Criminal Violene (post game assault): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz9RE9RGrVY

Society Pressure in Sport

The following post was provided by Alli Zezoney

Regarding your entrance into sports, how did it occur? Did you personally feel pressured to play sports from an outside influence? What was your drive to continue sports? How did you deal with outside pressures and how would you have changed your path if allocated? What other areas of sport were you interest in that you did not attempt and why? Have you seen or heard of athletes deeply affected by peer pressure and how can society change its influences on young athletes and help guide them to become successful? After reading the article, post a response regarding this issue.

http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/sports/sports_pressure.html

Building New Stadiums - Ticket Price Increases

The following post was provided by Zak Johnson:

With the shape of the nation’s current economic state, how do you feel about sports teams opening new stadiums/arenas? Do you think it is fair to increase prices (tickets, merchandise, food, etc…) just because the team/owner needs to make money; in order to fund or pay for the stadium?

Link:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=091005yankeestickets

Sport and Religion - Part II

The following post was provided by Grant Bilski:

Does god care if you hit a home run? Does God care if you score a touch down? I would say no but that may be just me. I understand faith/religion is important in many peoples lives but is it necessary to point up to the sky or make the sign of the cross every time you do something of merit on the playing field? In the age of excessive sports celebration how far is too far?

Here are two examples...
http://cardinals.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=10059103
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=9744845

Youth Sports - Travel Teams (Part II)

This post was provided by Stacey Sheetz:

After reading these short articles and from what you may know personally how do you feel about kids in grades 3rd-5th participating in the traveling sports such as AAU, Jr. Olympic volleyball, hockey, softball, baseball, and soccer? What are the benefits for these kids?

http://livefitblog.com/2010/03/15/how-parents-are-hurting-their-child-athletes/


http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;119/6/1242


http://topnews.us/content/23808-children-should-not-overdo-sport-experts-warn

College Sports

This post was provided by Sascha Hansen:

Read the Sports Illustrated article, “Troy Burning: Mike Garrett saw no evil: Now USC is paying the price,” by George Dohrmann. You can find the article at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1170882/index.htm . After reading the article respond by stating if you think the punishment fits the violation. Is it too harsh or should more be added to it? Finally, do you think that it is fair that athletes and coaches at USC are being punished for violations that they did not commit?

A Father's Impact on Sport

This post was provided by Byron Thomas:

In the movie Boys N the Hood, John Singleton tells a story about three young men (Tre, Ricky and Darin (Doughboy)) growing up in South Central, Los Angeles. All three grew up in the same community and faced with the struggles. Ricky and Doughboy were brothers and they grew up without a father. Ricky was a phenomenal football player and was possibly a future USC Trojan. Tragically, he was murder on the streets of South Central. My question to you is what role does a father play in the success of their sons or daughters today? We typically hear the heart felt stories like Tiger Woods father teaching him how to golf at a young age or even Venus and Serena Williams dad handing them their first tennis racquet. What if Ricky and Doughboy father would have handed them a football? Generalization, can having a dual parent home help in the success of athletes in today’s society?