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The debate over whether sport teams should be affiliated with the
education system or schools continues in various academic forums throughout
the United States. However, the conversation has not been expanded
much beyond a fervent few who are the extremes of the argument.
Most Americans assume that sports are inherently part of the
educational system and that the issue is mute.
Pretend for a moment that sports have not been affiliated with
specific schools. Could one make the case that they should be?
What would be the rational for such an proposal? Please remember
that we are not talking about health-fitness programs. The issue
is "should sport teams be affiliated with educational units?"
Is there something about sports or sport participation that is so
elemental and crucial to the educational processes that the inclusion
of sports would further the goals of education? What are the
goals of education?
Let's see, readiness to learn; increased graduation rates; English,
mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics,
arts, history, and geography; use their minds well; knowledge and
skills necessary to compete in a global economy, good citizenry.
"Hummm......." How do sports fit in?
Maybe if we examined the goals of sport we could find a match (
NCAA,
NASPE,
Oregon Episcopal
Schools). Lets see, physical fitness; healthy body, good
citizenship and respect for rules and authority. Is there a
match? Ahhh! Good citizenry is a match!
Do sport programs teach our students good citizenry? What is
the effect when coaches believe that it is all about victories.
How many coaches teach athletes to cheat? How many coaches teach
philosophies of "it isn't a foul unless its called" or "...it
isn't holding unless you get caught." Can sports teach
good citizenry? Of course, but maybe it is time to watch "Sand
Lot", "Dead Poet Society", "Rudy", and "Remember
the Titans" again...and again.
There are more important issues than sports that we need to encourage
young and old to consider. Like: "Honor, God, Country."
Robert Mcgowen
Coaching & Sports Section Editor
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During the past few years, it has been a great concern to present
the students more relevant ways of doing mathematics, other than the
traditional approach of rigorous proofs and mechanical methods, which
most of the time do not lead to fully understanding of the concepts
being presented. Nowadays, where students have easy access to graphing
calculators that represent a powerful tool with graphical and computational
capabilities, all teachers must rethink the way they are going to
teach their students and how do these students learn.
This paper includes three examples that involve sport related data
which appeal students, since they are familiar with everything related
to sports: salaries of players, predicting new world records, batting
average, RBI records, .... |
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What are the
odds
Cedric W. Dempsey,
NCAA President
Instead of focusing on which college can lead to a career in the
pros, consider that:
- There are nearly one million high-school football players and
about 500,000 basketball players. Of that number, about 150 make
it to the NFL and about 50 make an NBA team.
- Less than three percent of college seniors will play one year
in professional basketball.
- The odds of a high-school football player making it to the pros
at all--let alone having a career--are about 6,000 to 1; the odds
for a high-school basketball player--10,000 to 1.
Take a hard look at those numbers and think about what will matter
in the long run--a college education.
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Modeling and Children
Robert L. Kleine
Coaches are first and foremost role models and teachers. Good coaching
is not about producing winning teams; it's about asking every day
before practice or a game: "Is what we're planning to do today
in the best interest of the kids?" The best lesson a coach
can teach is that playing fairly makes everyone a winner, and that:
"...To be an athlete, you first must learn-- that it's ‘self-respect'
you'll have to earn. You must conquer you, or you'll surely get beat,
‘cause you are the one, against whom you compete."
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If you have ideas, comments, letters to share, or questions
about particular topics, please email one of the following Coaching
& Sports Section Editors: |
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Performance
Brian Mackenzie
- UK Senior Coach
One of the misconceptions in the sports world is that sportsmen
and women (athletes) get in shape by just playing or taking part
in their chosen sport. If a stationary level of performance, and
consistent ability in executing a few limited skills is your goal,
then engaging only in that sport will be satisfactory. However,
if you want the utmost efficiency, and consistent improvement, then
you must participate in year round training programs.
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"I give the same halftime speech over and over.
It works best when my players are better than the other coach's
players."
Chuck Mills
When I asked the baseball writers why they haven't elected me
to the Hall of Fame, they told me they still thought I was playing.
Bob Uecker
"It's the same as what Rhett Butler said to Scarlett
O'Hara."
Howard Cosell, on his reaction after the Edmonton Oilers beat
the New York Islanders in the Stanley cup finals
"It was like taking Miss America home after a date and
discovering that she had just won a garlic-eating contest."
Blackie Sherrod, after the NCAA took away Florida's first-ever
football title |
While watching a game in our local Rookie League (age 5-6 years) I
saw one of the funniest things I've ever seen in a little kids game.
It was in the middle of an inning with the Marlins at bat and the
Reds in the field. The Marlins had been at bat for a while and the
Reds fielders were getting a bit bored. All of a sudden, the coach
of the Reds called out to his players "Time for our Special Play!!!"
With that, all the Reds fielders lay down on the ground on their backs
and started making "snow angels." After a moment or so the
coach yelled "OK Everybody back up!!" and the kids got back
on their feet ready to play. Fans on both sides roared as did all
the Marlin players. It just goes to show how creative some coaches
can be in keeping the very young players enthusiastic. |
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The Charge of the Light Brigade
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Half a league, half a league,
 Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!
"Charge for the guns!" he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Someone had blunder'd:
Their's not to make reply,
Their's not to reason why,
Their's but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air,
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wonder'd:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel'd from the sabre stroke
Shatter'd and sunder'd.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honor the charge they made,
Honor the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred.
Copied from Poems of Alfred Tennyson,
J. E. Tilton and Company, Boston, 1870 |
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