teddy-roosevelt-1040cs022312 In the early 1900’s football was an exceedingly brutal sport. With little protective gear, players suffered horrible injuries, from wrenched spinal cords to crushed skulls and even death. The Chicago Tribune reported that in 1904 alone, there were 18 football related deaths. Amid growing calls for its abolition, President Teddy Roosevelt entered the fray […]
Every pro sports league does them. Those public service announcements and commercials with athletes reading to kids or teaching them sports skills. While my point is not to dismiss the genuine good many of these efforts bring to our communities, here’s a community “service” project for the NFL that will have more positive impact on
deflated football The following essay was published in the Lancaster, PA Sunday News on April 19, 2015 On March 29, LNP devoted significant space to a discussion of concussions in youth sports. While the writers presented some interesting perspectives, there is far more to the story. This is evidenced in a recent report that USA
Mosey Football Helmut Testing Without question, the single biggest development in sports over the past several years has been the increased revelations regarding concussions in the sport of football. Every day it seems there is another story, piece of research or new narrative piercing the façade of the heretofore seemingly invincible armor of King Football.
Football “Reform”: Buckle Your Chin Strap – It’s Going to be a Wild Ride Read More »
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 »
“Why are you bashing football?” That’s a question I’ve been asked quite often, dating back the publication my book, Sports: The All-American Addiction in 2002. And the frequency of being asked that question has multiplied since the recent publication of “Ball or Bands: Football vs. Music as an Educational and Community Investment.” I’d like to
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 »
PUBLISHED IN PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER POSTED: Wednesday, February 4, 2015 View Online Article Here By John Gerdy Given that education reform was the biggest issue in the recent campaign, Gov. Wolf has a mandate. The question is, will he have the vision and courage to use it? School district fiscal realities often force program cuts.
Football vs. music: Which is better for students? Read More »
There is an old adage when it comes to salaries and sports. When someone claims, “This isn’t about the money,” you know darn well it’s about the money. But this is one of those rare cases where it really isn’t about the money. It’s about so much more than that. There has been a lot
Jim Harbaugh’s Salary: It’s About So Much More Than the Money Read More »
As the baby-boomer generation scoots beyond “middle age” towards the status of “elderly”, we are hearing and reading more about health related issues, both personal and public. Everyone, it seems is concerned with improving health by doing the types of things that can lead to a longer, more productive and vibrant life. There are many
Fewer Shrinks, Regimens and Pills, More Singin’, Strummin’ and Jammin’ Read More »
