Each March, America is overcome by “madness”. Throughout the country, sports fans, both casual and hard-core, focus their attention on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. In bars and bakeries, at the dinner table and over phone lines, people catch the madness. Office pools are organized and parties are thrown as television screens everywhere are tuned […]
What do Vince Lombardi, Tony Dungy, Duke Ellington and Wynton Marsalis have in common? The answer is that to achieve the level of success they have all had to be great leaders. Say what? Football coaches and jazz musicians are leaders of equal effectiveness and influence? Absolutely. In fact, given that April is Jazz Appreciation
What exactly does having a higher percentage of black athletes on campus and an increased willingness for them to speak out on matters of race, social justice and athlete rights mean for college coaches and administrators of the future? While that future impact may be unclear at this point, colleges and university leaders might be well served to pay more attention to…
Concussions, Colin Kaepernick and the 21st Century Football Player Read More »
LNP recently featured an article by Dr. John Gerdy, highlighting the power of music (and the role of music) in the journey of a refugee in Lancaster, PA. ___ Another refugee family arrives in Lancaster, a family of six: Asukulu, his wife, Nyassa, and their four children: Temsi , 11, Vumilia, 9, Ivon, 5, and
At the end of an arduous journey, a refugee family rejoices with music Read More »
Music is the universal language.
That being the case it has long been used as a tool to expose social injustice and to spur community activism. From Sam Cooke’s, “A Change is Gonna Come” to Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin On” to Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power”, the power of music and song as tool to protest injustice and spur change is enormous. Music provides a framework and platform through which to package and present an idea or point of view. As a result, music can serve to open up conversations and spur reflection and action relating to the issues of the day.
What Are Students Learning on the Football Field?By John R. Gerdy | Published Online – ED Week – Feb. 5, 2016
What Are Students Learning On The Football Field? Read More »
This is the second of three essays I wrote in response to a question posed on August 8, 2015 by the Lancaster (PA) Editorial Board. What is the Purpose of High School Sports? School sponsored, elite athletics have evolved to a point where a solid argument can be made that their overall impact on our
As was widely reported, after a campus-wide study, the University of Alabama – Birmingham recently decided to discontinue its football program. The driving force behind their move was the NCAA’s recent approval of a measure to give more autonomy to the five powerhouse conferences (Big Ten, SEC, Pac-12, ACC and Big 12), allowing them
UAB Football Debate: A Local Decision with National Implications Read More »
Death Blow to Amateurism or Unprecedented Opportunity for Higher Education? In an effort to quell the clamor for athletes to receive their “fair share” of the millions they generate, the NCAA recently approved a measure to give more autonomy to the five powerhouse conferences (Big Ten, SEC, Pac-12, ACC and Big 12), allowing them
Death Blow to Amateurism or Unprecedented Opportunity for Higher Education? Read More »
