The Conclusion to SM 221

"You should really get to know your players. Michael scored in the 98th percentile in protective instincts." -Blind Side

As the semester comes to a close, I look back on all the history of sports this class has taught me. Breaking down various sports and eras was something new to me. There was more to learning about the history of sports than who did what and how the sport was formed. Some chapters became explanations for why a sport or athlete achieved great success or shame. There were reasons for why a sport changed or grew popular. The same could be said for athletes. Overall, it is because of the history of sports that I have chosen to pursue my career in sport management.

Throughout the semester, the class touched on many subjects regarding sports and sports figures. These subjects included the past and present, racial, and political topics. For example, The Miracle On Ice is a political issue even though this was a hockey game played in the Olympics. During this time (1980s), a Cold War was taking place and the USSR had invaded Afghanistan. The USSR was expected to easily win the Gold medal. However, with the help of a miracle, the U.S. hockey team pulled off the greatest upset by beating the Soviets and advancing to the Gold medal game. The U.S. eventually won the Gold medal and reenergized a struggling nation. Personally, the HBO movie about this historical moment is truly motivating. This game was no ordinary hockey game but a political statement.

The one topic I thought could have been talked about more was the commissioners in professional sports. Obviously, these commissioners have been involved with many decision-making processes for their respective leagues. Some decisions have boated well for them, while other decisions have sunken their reputation. Bud Selig’s call during the 2002 All-Star Game was an example of a reputation gone down the drain. Selig eventually called the All-Star Game when it was tied 7-7 after the 11^th inning due to a shortage in pitchers. I feel as though commissioners dictate the outcome of how well their sport does. For instance, lockouts have been a prime subject in sports. I believe how a commissioner recovers from a lockout predicts the future of the sport. The NHL, once thought to be near dead sport for attendance due to its 2004 lockout, has nearly recaptured fans by making rule changes and introducing the annual outdoor hockey game, The Winter Classic.

In addition, I would have like to gone into more discussion on which commissioner people preferred. I know I commented on Brad Frank’s post about David Stern. In my opinion, I feel that all the commissioners need to be removed from their positions. There needs to be fresh blood and new faces in all these sports. A younger commissioner can relate to the younger generations and markets. These new rule changes hurt the way the game was once known for. Football and hockey are prime examples. Both football and hockey have seen rule changes to protect players and take away the physical play.

This class taught me a lot about the true history behind sports. The creation and beginning of certain sports is an incredible story to hear. The way African-Americans and Native Americans created sports that we now play today is simply amazing. I feel the book gave the credit they deserve for attributing to sports. There were many historical events that will not be forgotten. Yes, even the great ESPN helped out with the movie clips the class viewed. To end my conclusion, here is a quote by Vince Lombardi…

“We didn’t lose the game; we just ran out of time.”