Final Reflections

My perception of US sport before taking this class was pretty generic. I only thought of the importance that sports play in US society but definitely didn't have any knowledge when taking a look at some of the issues we examined. My perception of US sports changed dramatically throughout the course. I never really thought about sports identities and culture up until now. One  discussion that stood out to me was when we debated whether college athletes should be paid or not. I had no idea how much money NCAA schools made and the conditions that athletes faced. This class has made me think differently about sports and will influence my perception of professional athletics. One skill that will be beneficial in my career is the ability to look past social norms and question the legitimacy of some of the social structures that define the way life is lived in America. I've already recommended this class to multiple friends and I hope they have the same experience as I did. 

Why the 'Mans Mans' Game is an Insult to Men

 

I think that sports are becoming a safer space for LGBT athletes. Recent movements toward to the acceptance of LGBT athletes have shown progress but still lack structure and support. We will see in the upcoming draft how teams respond to the coming out of athlete Michael Sam. Formulating a strategy that would create a more inclusive culture is difficult because we've never attempted to do so thus far. I think that it begins in middle and highschool and the atmosphere of the locker rooms. Additionally, I think that as American culture becomes more accepting of LGBT, sports will follow. The movie Training RUles exemplifies the ruthlessness that was once commonplace for coaches and players. Luckily times are changing and the general public is changing their viewpoint on same sex marriage and LGBT. Professional athletes are beginning to come out to the public, but we haven't seen a superstar athlete do so yet. Jason Collins came out and has seen some negative impacts regarding playing time and getting picked up by a team. Ultimately, the more athletes that are open about their sexuality will cause a chain reaction from other LGBT athletes as well as support from non LGBT athletes.