College of Education and Human Development

Discussing Sports: Not Merely a Trivial Pursuit

Chris Elzey, co-director of the Center for the Study of Sport and Leisure in Society (part of George Mason University's School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism) wrote an editorial that appeared in the August 22 issue of the Washington Times on the ways that sport influences the national discourse.

Called "When Sports Drive the National Discourse," the editorial notes that Americans love sports, but we also have a tendency to think of sports as “just a game,” somewhat trivial compared to other issues and events. Elzey explains that we should really revise this way of thinking. From the early twentieth century to the present day, sports have been a reflection of, and even a way of participating in, issues of national and international importance:

"Consider the sports stories that have made front-page news so far this year. That’s front page as in the news section, not just front page in the Sports section:

Michael Sam, a defensive end from the University of Missouri, announced weeks before the St. Louis Rams drafted him that he is homosexual. If he makes the team, he would be the first openly homosexual player in the 94-year history of the National Football League.

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling caused a furor over his repugnant comments regarding blacks, a headline grabber that fueled conversation not only about race, but also privacy, because Mr. Sterling made his remarks while being secretly recorded in his girlfriend’s living room.

The name of Washington’s NFL club has launched a debate, which has swelled from a regional story into a national controversy, with media outlets opting to ban the use of the team name “Redskins” from their pages and airwaves. Raise your hand if you would be mulling the treatment of Native Americans if not for this story.

Add the NFL’s consideration of banning the N-word, and Russia’s stance on homosexuality at the Olympics in Sochi, and you have a menu of weighty topics, courtesy of the sports world, that has forced Americans to take a hard look at preconceived ideas about sexual orientation, race and ethnicity."

(For the full article, see the Washington Times website.)

Undergraduate students interested in these issues, particularly the history of sport in America and the role of sport in contemporary society, may pursue an interdisciplinary minor in Sport and American Culture at George Mason University.

The Center for the Study of Sport and Leisure in Society was established to promote a wider understanding of the role of sport in society through research, collaboration, preservation, and public engagement. The directors of the center are David Wiggins, professor in the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism, and Chris Elzey, assistant professor in the College of Humanities and Social Science.

  

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About CEHD

George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) includes two schools: the Graduate School of Education, one of the most comprehensive education schools in Virginia, and the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism. CEHD offers a full range of courses, certificates, and degree programs on campus, online, and on site to more than 4,000 students each year. CEHD is fully accredited by NCATE and all licensure programs are approved by the Virginia Department of Education. George Mason University, located just outside of Washington, DC, is Virginia's largest public research university.

For additional information:

• CEHD Communications: cehdnews@gmu.edu
• School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism: rht.gmu.edu
• The Center for the Study of Sport and Leisure in Society: rht.gmu.edu/cssls

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