SMGT 406 Exam 4

Four Primary Perspectives

-Use sport to improve quality of life and regulates sport protect citizens -How sport can reinforce the prevailing political structure and status quo -How nations sponsor international teams to promote -Politics of sport institutions

Conflict Between Sport and Religion

-Violent nature of some sports -Athletes' way of overcoming internal conflicts, justifying their dedication to sport, and validating their sport experience -Separate beliefs -Question of meaning and value

High School and Collegiate Sport

-As competition increases, rules may become looser, and coaches and players may try to win at all cost. -However, NCAA punishments for coaches for violations have increased.

Using Sport to Change Society

-Athletes have a platform from which to share their views Muhammad Ali Arthur Ashe Jr. Tommie Smith and John Carlos Martin Navratilova Billie Jean King Curt Flood

Aggression

-Behavior directed toward another person and intended to dominate or master.

Reducing Violence

-Changes in the NHL treatment of fighting -NFL studies of brain trauma -Mentors in Violence Prevention program -Suspensions for players accused of violent behavior?

Christianity Influences on Sport

-Churches attract people through sports and gymnasiums -YMCA, Springfield College, basketball -Athletes use religion to conquer fears and find deeper meaning in sport. -Reinforces code of conduct -Instills Protestant values such as hard work, self-discipline, striving for success.

Influence of Youth Sport

-Coach's role--to teach young athletes the rules -Citizenship through Sports Alliance

Political Coaching

-Coaches at every level tend to have a conservative outlook Believe in traditional values of hard work, discipline perseverance, and respect for authority -Coaches are judge publicly on their job performance Some of their job relies on the play of their athletes Seen as an authoritarian role

On-Field Violence in Sport

-Demands of collision and contact sports -"Enforcer" roles -Societal view of masculinity encouraging warrior mentality -"Part of the game" -Examples: Richie Incognito, Nadmukong Suh

Islam and Sport

-Every action is meant to glorify Allah. -Women banned or wear traditional dress, but they are beginning to have greater impact on international sport. -For males, no prohibition against sport participation, and sport and games have long been a part of the expected teachings. -Muhammad Ali, Andrea Armstrong are examples

Use of Sport to Promote Religion

-Fellowship of Christian Athletes (1954) -Athletes in Action -Pro Athletes Outreach -National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA)

Sport and the Status Quo

-Generally in the US, people associated with sports are politically conservative. -People in leadership positions tend to want to promote the status quo rather than fight it. Conservative- refers to those who adhere to traditional methods or views and generally seek to perpetuate the status quo. Liberal- refers to those who are not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition and are open to and often seek change from the status quo.

Third Perspective

-Government backing o national teams. -Maintaining good relationships among other nations

Safeguarding the Public

-Government outlaws sports that are dangerous or cruel to animals. -Sports that are dangerous or in a controlled environment are regulated. Boating, fishing, hunting, boxing, skydiving, auto racing, etc -Unruly fan behavior -Tragedy 1972 Munich Olympic Games Any major event after 9/11

Government in Physical Activity and Health

-Government takes on responsibility of health and welfare of citizens. -Organizations within to help regulate Health and Human Services (HHS) and CDC -1950's- 56.6% of American schoolchildren failed 1 or more of 6 minimum muscular fitness tests by Hans Kraus and Sonya Weber Only 8.2% of schoolchildren from Australia, Italy, and Switzerland failed. President's Council on Youth Fitness was then founded by Eisenhower -1961-JFK established the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports All schools provide daily minimum of 15 minutes of vigorous exercise -2010-Let's Move Campaign Michelle Obama and MLB Players Association

Protecting Financial Interest of the Public

-Government taking control over expansion of sports Funding for new stadiums -Antitrust Laws MLB, NFL, NBA are exempt Power and money rule all

Unity and Identity

-Government tries to attract professional franchises Professional teams bring communities together Large financial impact -Fan support Broad Street Bullies Dawg Pound Twelfth Man Soccer Hooligans -Special sporting can also unify a city Economic benefits -Indianapolis Self-labeled "Amateur Sports Capital of the World"

History of Religion and Sport

-Greek festivals honored gods. -Christian emperor banned sports for their violence. -American Puritans saw sport as sin. -Muscular Christianity, value of benefits of physical activity. -Religion and sport both considered "opiate of the masses"?

Examples of Rule Breaking

-Illegally modifying equipment -Committing to foul -Faking injury to cause a timeout -Participating in a brawl -Taking other disallowed actions for strategic advantage

Government in Sport

-In other countries, financial support given for international athletes. -USOC founded by United States government to develop Olympic athletes but is not directly funded by government.

Sport in Promoting Social Values

-In the US, sport is a conservative institution that promotes traditional values and can integrate people into social construct. Teaches values of life -American sport values vs. Chinese sport values American--Perform at maximum ability, winning is everything, Chinese--Emphasize cooperation, group goals, friendship, and physical fitness -Sports are used throughout the world to socially integrate people from diverse background Northern Ireland--invests in facilities to promote constructive interaction between Protestants and Catholics France--regenerating French youth, and improving social discipline England and US--used to combat urban unrest and to reduce crime and juvenile delinquency.

Emotion and Sport: Fans

-Increased excitement and arousal with tailgating and alcohol use

Off-Field Violence

-It is unclear whether on-field violence leads to off-field violence. -Alcohol increases the incidence of violence; athletes are more prone to binge drinking. -Some sports may not cause violent off-filed behavior but attract more-violent people. -Challenges to manhood can arise off the field.

Use of Religion by Athletes

-Justify commitment to high performance. -Reduce pressure and uncertainty -Enhance bonds between teammates -Guide moral decision making

Concussions and the NFL

-Long-term effects can include dementia, depression, and Alzheimer's disease -NFL legal settlement involves 18,000 retired players

Judaism and Sport

-Maccabiah Games -Early American boxing -In postwar period, emphasis in Jewish families on education, not sport. -Hank Greenberg, Sandy Koufax, Shawn Green both lauded and criticized for not playing baseball on Yom Kippur -Mark Spitz--7 gold medals for swimming -Kerri Strug--gymnastics

Use of Sport to Promote Religious Schools

-Notre Dame in football -St Joseph's in basketball -Brigham Young University in football, Director's Cup

Violence

-Perception that athletes are more violent than other people -Perception fed by media exposure and occasional leniency given to accused athlete offenders -Sport as mirror of society in violent acts and acceptance of violent acts

Second Perspective

-Political leaders use sport to promote self-interests or support for government.

First Perspective

-Political leaders use sport unify their citizens. -Reduce juvenile delinquency, improve academic performance, encourage healthy competition. -Government regulates when public monies are are involved. -Antitrust issues

2008 Presidential Election

-Professional sports figures gave twice as much money to all presidential candidates combined as they had in the two previous races combined. -Final two candidate funding from pro sport donations was McCain with $248,300 and Obama with $197,034 (55.8% to 44.2%) Democratic candidates in the previous two elections were never able to gain more than 16% of pro sport donations

Violence Against Women

-Rape culture of universities One in five women is raped Rape is committed by a rising proportion of athletes and men of military academies. -Title IX and sexual violence cases -Domestic abuse and athletes

Rule Breaking in Sport

-Rules are learned -Rule breaking results in consequences, such as penalties and suspensions.

Consequences of On-Field Violent Behavior

-Shorten career (and reduced earnings) -Pressure to return from injury -Concussions: recent change in perspective -Negative publicity for teams, leagues, organizations -Poor behavior modeling

National and Sport

-Sport events are replete with patriotic symbols that unify people by encouraging them to celebrate their shared heritage and common bonds. -Army-Navy gae -Pre-game cermonies National Anthem, prayer, flyovers, patriotic symbols

Fourth Perspective

-Sport institutions use political structure to govern themselves.

Sport as an opiate to the masses

-Sport is used as an "opiate" to calm the masses and distract their attention from their everyday social or economic problems. -Around the world, soccer is used as a distraction in third-world countries.

Emotion and Sport: Athletes

-Stress of competition -Being consumed by emotion -Optimal levels of arousal and intensity -Role of anger

Internal Strife

-Study of Athletes in Action members: 1/3 of 31 athletes admitted reaching a crisis in their careers trying to reconcile their religious beliefs with their sport. -Not surprising: Religious strife is global reality and has been for centuries.

Use of Religion by Coaches, Owners, and Organizations

-Team unity -Moral code for athletes -Being a religious role model for players -Prayer breakfasts at Olympic Games -Informal prayer at school events. -Faith nights in minor leagues -Christian outreach at Olympics for years

What is Politics?

-The art and science of government, of influencing governmental policy, or of holding control over a government. -"The way people living in groups make decisions"

Rational Rule Breaking

-To help the team (or individual) win -Because "everyone is doing it" -As acceptable behavior when a rule is considered bad