It’s not often that an obituary sticks in your head for more than a week, let alone six months. I can’t get the life story of CeDell Davis out of my head. Davis was a Delta bluesman from Arkansas who used a knife for a guitar slide to create a sound, described by New York […]
As has been well documented, athletic programs in our high schools have various impacts on the academic values and priorities and school culture and environment. For example, students involved in sports are more “engaged” in school and as a result less likely to cut classes or skip it entirely. On the other hand, a case
originally published on LNP on April 7th Today, I am announcing my candidacy for president of the United States of America. If a former reality TV personality can become president of the United States, why not me? I did not come to this decision without deep thought and much research. My first step was
One of the most important and powerful impacts of sports is in the universe of social change, particularly as it relates to diversity and civil rights. The fundamental principles that drive progress in these areas are tolerance, acceptance and cooperation. Sports are a very effective platform through which these principles can be demonstrated. There is
The Times They Are a Changing: Sports, Music and Social Change Read More »
USA Football, the NFL funded national governing body for the sport recently held its annual meeting in Orlando. According to a January 30, 2018 account in the New York Times, they would have been better off holding it at a beach resort as it would have made it much easier for participants to dig holes
High School Tackle Football: Its Origins Foretell its Future Read More »
An ongoing debate within the educational community relates to how to classify physical education classes, athletic programs (in particular, football) and music programs within the academic curriculum. Specifically, the question relates to whether these programs should be considered “extracurricular” or “core” activities. The purpose of this essay is not only to examine that question, but
“When I feel athletic, I go to a sports bar.” — Paul Clisera In the coming weeks, America will be overcome by “madness”. Throughout the country, sports fans, both casual and hard-core, will focus their attention on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. In bars and bakeries, at the dinner table and over phone lines, people
My daughter handed me a large box. “Dad, it’s time you returned to vinyl.” I quickly agreed. Then I heard the whisper from that dark spot deep in the back of my wounded psyche. I’d heard that whisper before. This wasn’t the first time I’d considered returning to vinyl. She had been doing vinyl for
Nick Bouniconti’s Most Impactful Play Nick Bouniconti Nick Bouniconti always had a big impact on the football field. As middle linebacker, Bouniconti anchored the defense of the greatest football team in history, the undefeated 1972 Super Bowl Champion Miami Dolphins. Whether sacking a quarterback or tackling a running back short of a first down, Bouniconti
Originally published in the June 15, 2015 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Why Not Flag Football? It’s time for parents, school officials, the sports media, fans and anyone else who continues to resist the need to reconsider and re-imagine tackle football at the youth, junior high and high school levels to take a long, hard
