A little fun for Thursday...

If you could switch bodies with an athlete for one week, who would you choose? How do you think you would do in their body for that week? Would you ruin their career or help it?

Make this response at least 500 words.  Type it in Microsoft Word and do a word count check.  Then, post below.  Have some fun with this one.  

LA Clippers, John Carlos, Tommie Smith, and Race in Sports

Donald Sterling has opened wounds long hidden from the American public when it comes to race relations in major American Sports.  The unfortunate element of this is that Sterling had been protected by the NBA and the American media for decades.  Sterling has a long history of bigotry and hateful speech, so why is it that we are only finding out about this now?  With that said, it is important to look back, also, at the Civil Rights movement and the equality that has been long fought for throughout the American landscape and sports.

TASK 1
Using the link directly below, read up on the history of Donald Sterling and the hateful acts that he reportedly engaged in.  After reading the articles, write a half page response to be turned in on Friday, May 2nd in which you define what Sterling's biggest mistakes were and whether or not you believe he should be BANNED from the NBA for LIFE and fined 2.5 MILLION dollars.

                                                                                    STERLING LINK: http://readlists.com/da80d7df/


TASK 2
In response to the documentary Salute and what you know about the Civil Rights movement throughout American, construct a response to this post where you address what impact you believe Tommie Smith and John Carlos had on the integration of sports throughout America's major sports leagues (this may require you look up a bit more information).  Also, bring in other examples of Civil Rights actions or sport integration in your response.  This is due Monday, May 5th.  

Billy Beane, Saber metrics and Moneyball

After reading Chapter 1 of Moneyball, watch the interview below with Billy Beane.  Beane's desire to turn his team from a perennial doormat in the 90s to a year-in year-out contender pushed him to look into the teachings of Bill James and Saber metrics.  

Task 1
Go to the following link and select the Click Here article in the middle of the page about Dan Okrent and Bill James "Doing It By the Numbers".  Dan Okrent and Bill James: http://sabr.org/about/bill-james

Task 2
Watch the Billy Beane Interview.  Billy Beane Interview: http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000152865

Task 3 (Graded Task)
Then, respond to this question on the blog.

In what way has Billy Beane created legitimacy around the more cost efficient approach that he has employed with the Oakland Athletics?

Hoosiers, Bleachers and Alden Hebron

Step 1: READ THIS ARTICLE
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-03-25/news/ct-met-hebron-basketball-anniversary-20120325_1_phil-judson-paul-judson-alden-hebron-high-school

Step 2: RESEARCH ALDEN-HEBRON as a town and high school.

Step 3: Write a response to the novel Bleachers, the movie Hoosiers, and the story of the Alden-Hebron Green Giants.  Compare the three stories and explain their value to the sporting landscape.  How do small towns drive the sports world?  Find an example and include it in your response. Explain what they represent within sports.

IS HOOSIERS REAL?  http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/hoosiers.php

Pizza Yahoo Bracket!

It's bracket time! Join my Yahoo Sports Tourney Pick'em Pool, "Sports Lit 2014" http://y.ahoo.it/o8Dwo6wz


GET ON AND JOIN!!!!!

Bullying, Sports, and the Locker Room Mentality

Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin have brought bullying to the fore of Sports Literature, Culture and Society.  We are left trying to piece together our individual feelings regarding the treatment of teammates, friends, colleagues, classmates, etc.  Did Martin and Incognito actually have a friendship?  What are your thoughts on this?  Using the link above, read the articles provided for Tuesday. You may have to access through a smartphone or tablet.  If you have problems, please email me and ask for the list.  

http://readlists.com/3e1e86f3

Run, Ricky, Run

Do you respect the life that Ricky Williams choose to lead?  Did he give up the chance of a lifetime?  Explain your answers on these first two.  Then, answer the following: In what way/ways does Ricky Williams represent all that is right or wrong with athletics?  And, what do you believe to be the intent of this 30-for-30?  Explain. 

Allen Iverson-Crossover

Allen Iverson is, arguably, the most explosively talented basketball player in the history of the NBA.  There were few aspects of his game that were not at the next level, but his lack of desire or occasional lack of interest was a major contributor to the occasionally negative references to his games.  

Growing up, he was revered as an athlete, yet his legacy in the Hampton, Virginia area may be the 1993 brawl that he was part of.  Race and racism played a major role on the peninsula he lived; however, there are some that argue that his being a superstar was a greater contributor to the resulting trial from the brawl.  

Answer these questions
1) It is fair to evaluate Iverson's legacy with that brawl/trial in mind?  Why or why not?
2) Look up Iverson's stats and highlights.  Do you think that Allen Iverson is as supremely talented of a player as he seemed to believe, as well as others?  Explain what you see in his game/stats.
3) Should we evaluate athletes based on their on-field/on-court accomplishments or on their behavior off?  Explain.
4) Considering your love or interest in sports, do you think that Allen Iverson wasted his place in his community and within sports by engaging and interacting within the society he was part of?

Worth 5 points per response for a total of 20 points. 
DUE MONDAY, JANUARY 27th. 

CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE:
http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1138609/index.htm

Ready, Get Set, Share

Welcome to the Spring 2014 version of Viking Yardbarkers.  As a sports literature class, we are going to explore the worth, value and importance of sports and competition to the shaping of our world.  Now, no one is silly enough to believe that sports have the same value as economic stability or general family value trends in society, but there is no question that sports help to shape a public mindset and regional personas.

We will use this blog as a way to give voice to the voiceless, and to further argue/debate things we talk about in class.

Each student will be responsible for offering 1 original blog, posted here, during the course of the semester. Whether you post it here today or three months from now, the grade will go on the fourth quarter.  EVERY STUDENT is responsible for responding to each of those blogs by their peers.  Blog entries must be 300-500 words and should include a supported opinion about sports.  If you are unclear what I am looking for, go to www.bleacherreport.com and check out their bloggers' posts.

Happy Blogging!
Teschner

PS-Yarbarkers.com was a website created by a former NFL player and has since been bought out by FoxSports. Feel free to check out the original Yardbarkers.