Sporting News 04.14.12

The Giants' closer must have season-ending elbow surgery

• Elbowed out: The Giants' Brian Wilson likely out for season Huffington Post
• Have they created a monster?: Will the Dodgers become a new poaching power? Los Angeles Times
• What do the San Jose Sharks really owe their fans? Bleacher Report
  
• In negotiations: The IOC wants Saudi Arabia to allow female athletes ESPN
• US vs. Canada for women's hockey gold The Province 
• Tragedy: Italian soccer player collapses on field and dies San Jose Mercury News

 

Reflection 07: C'mon, That's Not a Sport—What Is and Isn't a Sport

What are the guidelines for defining an activity as a sport?

Baseball definitely is. So are hockey and volleyball. And, of course, football. In America, there are those recreational activities that are, without question, a "sport." Without hesitation we label certain endeavors as sports, and, in turn, those who participant in them are called athletes. Yet, not all activities are so easily labeled as sports. Activities as varied as synchronized swimming, arm wrestling, auto racing, and hunting have vied to be labeled a sport. But just what is a sport? For example, why are football players unquestionably athletes, yet the cheerleaders who encourage them are not? What is the criteria by which we judge these activities and are they all judged equally? What is the difference between a sport and a game? For this reflection, consider those endeavors that you consider to be sports—and those you do not.

Include at least two of the following in your discussion:

• "Settling the Debates: Is It a Sport or Not a Sport?" (Bleacher Report)
• "Poker is Definitely Not a Sport" (Yahoo! Sports)
• "Cheerleading Doesn't Count as a Real Sport, Judge Rules" (Christian Science Monitor)
• "Is Ballroom Dancing a Sport?" (Guardian)

Required:

• MLA Style
• Must be exactly two pages in length
• A Works Cited page 

Due: Th 4.19

Week 12: Greg Louganis, Diving

Louganis is a four-time Olympic gold medal winning diver

Mo 4.09
Class: Reading discussion, Writers workshop
Due: REFLECTION 6; CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY (DRAFT 2—BRING 3 COPIES)

We 4.11
Read: eR—“Why the WNBA Isn't—and Will Never Be—a Popular League” (Sports Illustrated), “Has Women's Soccer Gained Any Respect?” (Baltimore Sun)
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations

Upcoming:

Week 13: Mary Lou Retton, Gymnastics
Mo 4.16
Read: eR—“Women’s Professional Soccer Fights to Keep Its Top Status” (New York Times), “Why Women’s Sports Struggle to Gain Popularity” (KPBS)
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY (FINAL DRAFT—ATTACH: A. ONE COPY OF DRAFTS 1 & 2 AND B. A TWO PARAGRAPH RATIONALE FOR YOUR FIRST AND SECOND REVISIONS)

We 4.18
Read: eR— “How Media Affects Our Perception of an Athletes Race and Gender” (The Sports Digest), “Women Athletes Have a Reason to Celebrate” (GPhilly)
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: REFLECTION 7