So, what is this program all about?
Sports fans are pretty smart people.
It’s true! We do a lot of research, have an understanding of complex systems, and have passion. These are ALSO skills that are often associated with good citizenship, and stewarding our political lives.
Our question is: why we can’t apply these skills to our civic life, AND have a great time doing so?!
Come watch a game or sports event, and discuss issues that touch on both sports and civic culture/politics. Find out what we can do to keep the things we love about sports while also learning about issues and ways to change what we don’t like.
Really, there is no trick here! Come watch the game, we’ll discuss an issue or article during halftime or other similar break in the action, and then continue watching the game.
Some of the topics we’ve explored in the past include:
- Who pays for our stadiums? Who makes money off of them? Who lives near the stadiums?
- Why are there so few openly gay athletes in professional sports?
- Should college athletes be paid?
- Is free agency in sports a good thing? For whom? What about unions for pro athletes and referees?
- Can sports mascots and names be offensive? If that’s the case, what can sports fans and their communities do about them?
- Why do we sing the National Anthem at sports events?
- Steroids/Doping: do we need more, or less? Can drugs in sports even be stopped?
- Are the Olympics a good thing?