College of Education and Human Development
A History of Sports in DC
September 3, 2015
Two professors from George Mason University appeared at Kramer Books & Afterwards Cafe in Dupont Circle this week to discuss their new book of special interest to Washington area residents, DC Sports: The Nation's Capital at Play.
The book, co-edited by David Wiggins, professor in the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism, and Christopher Elzey, history professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is the first book in a series on the history of sport in American cities.
Christopher Elzey and David Wiggins discuss their new book on the history of DC sports at Kramer Books.
Washington, DC, is best known for its politics and monuments, but sport has always been an integral part of the city, and Washingtonians are among the country’s most avid sports fans. DC Sports gathers seventeen essays examining the history of sport in the nation’s capital, from turn-of-the-century venues such as the White Lot, Griffith Stadium, and DC Memorial Stadium to Howard-Lincoln Thanksgiving Day football games of the roaring twenties; from the surprising season of the 1969 Washington Senators to the success of Georgetown basketball during the 1980s. This collection covers the field, including public recreation, high-school athletics, intercollegiate athletics, professional sports, sports journalism, and sports promotion.
A southern city at heart, Washington drew a strong color line in every facet of people’s lives. Race informed how sport was played, written about, and watched in the city. In 1962, the Redskins became the final National Football League team to integrate. That same year, a race riot marred the city’s high-school championship game in football. A generation later, race as an issue resurfaced after Georgetown’s African American head coach John Thompson, Jr. led the Hoyas to national prominence in basketball.
DC Sports takes a hard look at how sports in one city has shaped culture and history, and how culture and history inform sports. This informative and engaging collection will appeal to fans and students of sports and those interested in the rich history of the nation’s capital.
Elzey and Wiggins are co-directors of Mason's Center for the Study of Sport and Leisure in Society. In the summer issue of Mason Spirit magazine, the two discussed their book and the uniqueness of sports in the Washington, D.C. area.
Q: Why did you want to do this book?
We were attracted to the project for primarily two reasons. First, as Washingtonians, we felt that it was appropriate for the University of Arkansas Press' first anthology on the history of city sports to begin with the nation's capital.
Second, no scholarly book, monograph, or anthology has ever been published on the history of sports in Washington, D.C.
We wanted to fill this gap. Our aim was to attract outstanding sport historians and scholars to write essays that would appeal to not only other academicians but the general public as well.
Q: Sports have been tough for D.C. Do you think you know the reason?
After working on the book, we don't necessarily agree with that assessment -- through we must admit that we began the project with a similar assumption.
In terms of sports history, Washington is similar to other major American cities. D.C. has experienced its share of successes and failures. To be sure, the history of Washington sport is littered with easily forgotten teams and disappointing losses. But many championships have also been won.
However, it must be said that in comparison to such cities as New York, Boston, or Philadelphia, the nation's capital has had fewer iconic players and famous teams. Part of the reason might be D.C.'s relatively smaller media market or its transient population.
Another possible explanation is the struggle between the various local and federal governments. The importance of politics over other spheres of life could also be a factor.
Q: Was there anything that surprised you in working on this book?
Many things surprised us. For example, it was fascinating to learn just how important D.C. was to the early development of bike racing in the United States.
The significance of football at Howard University between 1919 and 1929 also surprised us.
The origins of the Marine Corps Marathon, as well as the depth of the relationship between President Richard Nixon and Redskins coach George Allen, were two additional stories we found to be very interesting.
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To learn about George Mason University's undergraduate minor in Sport and American Culture, please review the information on the website or contact an academic advisor at rht@gmu.edu.
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, D.C., is Virginia's largest public research university.
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- School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism: rht.gmu.edu
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