Sports Studies Commons^™

Kobe Bryant Case - The British Open Fabulous Finale, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

The avalanche has begun. Over the next several months we will be buried in media coverage of the Kobe Bryant Case. We will get double coverage with misinformation flowing from the news outlets and the sports outlets. By the end of this weekend numbness was already beginning to set in every time I heard the word "Kobe.”

Baseball's All-Star Game: Some History, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Baseball's All-Star Game is coming up tomorrow at Comiskey Park (a.k.a. US Cellular Field) in Chicago. This is the fourth All-Star Game hosted by the White Sox and the seventh game to be held in Chicago.

Randall Simon's Sausage Assault, Mascots, And The All-Star Game, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Randall Simon is a very lucky man. When he took his bat to the nearest sausage it was blind luck that it was not the Bratwurst that was within his strike zone along the railing of the Pirates dugout. Those of us who have called Wisconsin home at one point in our lives know that, although Italian sausage may be savored by many, it is only the Brat that has sacred iconic status in the home state of the late Senator Joseph McCarthy. There are many other places that claim to hold a Bratwurst Festival but the annual event in …

The Good And The Ugly In Larges Doses In One Day In Sportsworld, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

When I opened my newspaper Tuesday morning I knew I was living in both the best and the worst of times in sportsworld. On the front page of the Orlando Sentinel was the picture of the Orlando Magic Mr. Nice Guy and all around great guy, Darrell Armstrong. The model of the community had been arrested at 2:30 a.m. outside an Orlando nightspot for battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.

David Beckham Sold Off To Madrid, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

The sale of David Beckham by Manchester United to Real Madrid must be the highest profile transnational sports transfer since Wayne Gretzky was shipped out of Edmonton to Los Angeles. There were moves in the Canadian Parliament to designate the Great One as a national treasure to prevent that sale from completion and Canadians went into a period of national mourning. Neither Tony Blair nor his Minister of Sport suggested such an action at Westminster but still there was considerable reaction among British football fanatics.

Larry Doby: Greatness Overlooked In The Shadow Of Robinson, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Wednesday evening Larry Doby died at age 79 in Montclair, New Jersey. Thursday afternoon in Yankee Stadium there was a tribute to Lou Gehrig on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Sometimes there is an odd confluence of events, and this is one of them. Although they played in different eras and under very different circumstances Larry Doby and Lou Gehrig shared one characteristic. The exceptional careers of both men were played out in the shadows of those around them.

Ua68/13/4 Limited Edition, Wku Journalism

WKU Administration Documents

Newspaper created by students participating in the Minority Journalism Workshop hosted by the WKU Journalism Department.

• Clark, Ashlee. Campus Security Tightens in Wake of Murder
• Lau, Jessica. Diversity Grows, Problems Persist
• Yee, April. Home of Love
• Leong, Jennifer. State Street Baptist Church Rededication Date Set
• Cowherd, Heather. Growing Up Black in Bowling Green
• Clark, Ashlee & Aja Junior. Regents Approve Increased Budget
• Leong, Jennifer. Hispanic Ministry Provides Heartfelt Worship
• Taylor, Sean. Shake Rag Gains New Support, Awareness
• Taylor, Sean. Patriot Act Tramples Peoples' Civil Rights
• Clark, Ashlee. Got Ethics?
• Winters, Jonathan. Remove Patriotism from Flames
• Yee, April. Stereotypes
• Jefferson, Regina …

College Sport Just Keeps Getting More Bizarre In Its Excesses, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

In the past two months I have come to an entirely new appreciation of intercollegiate athletics. I now see how it serves the aims of higher education and builds character. It is clear that it is not about the money and that coaches are true educators guiding young men and women to a life of the highest ethical and moral standards. I have been wrong and I am willing to stand tall and admit it. This is clearly an institution within the institution of higher learning that is worth protecting, preserving, and cherishing.

Sosa's Corked Bat: Much To Do Over Not Much, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

It is so. It is also Sosa.

50th Anniversary Of The Everest Conquest And The Everest Obsession, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

The second of June is the anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of England. On that same day in 1953 news arrived in London that Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay had reached the summit of Mount Everest a few days earlier on May 29th. It seemed like a fortuitous convergence of events celebrating resurgent British Imperial power. In fact it was but an illusion, a false echo of past glory for a fading empire economically drained by the ravages of war.

Ua19/5/1 Marti Whitmore Interview, Marti Whitmore, Wku Athletics

WKU Administration Documents

Audiotape interview of women's basketball coach Marti Whitmore at end of her career at WKU.

Politics And Sports, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

It was a quick war and as wars go a relatively easy one for the victors. In an age of mass media, endless cable news coverage, and embedded reporters there was a kind of faux realism to it all. In fact the two favorite words in the reporting were "surreal" and "robust."

Toni Smith, The National Anthem, And Sport, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

It is all over the papers, the television news, and the talk shows. Toni Smith, the Manhattanville College senior basketball player has been turning her back on the flag during the playing of the national anthem for the past several weeks. In recent days as America gears up for a war the protest against her protest has been growing. Last weekend Toni Smith was confronted on the floor by a Vietnam veteran toting an American flag that he shoved in her face.

Outing Athletes - Death At Spring Training And Dangerous Supplements, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Baseball is back in the news this week with two stories attracting considerable attention. One involves drugs and one involves sexuality, one involving a marginal young pitcher and one involving a Hall of Fame pitcher. Both stories have gotten considerable attention, and the focus in both cases seems to be off the mark.

Lebron: High School Professional And Phenom, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

The name LeBron James was one that I saw occasionally on the ESPN.com site during my time in London last fall. I paid little attention to it having lived through the Amare Stoudemire buzz in Orlando last winter. I had no idea what a major story James had become in Dickvitaleland and how big a celebrity he is across America. He is so popular he may be the only high school student in America today who is known by his first name only.

The Super Bowl: New Forms Of Excess, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Dan Marino will send a recipe via e-mail to anyone in the world. In point of fact Dan Marino will quarterback your entire menu for this coming Sunday. This can mean only one thing. This Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday in America. Dan Marino is ready to serve you, the entire world, and me.

Myles Brand Address To Ncaa: He Is For All That Is Good Except ……, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Intercollegiate athletics is one of the few stable and reliable forces in the universe. It can be relied upon to provide an endless parade of stories and controversies generally casting a dark shadow across the sporting landscape. This past week was no exception, although at the very end of the week there was one tiny little glimmer of hope on the horizon, at least for positive thinkers.

On Sport And Society 01-07-2003, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Cub fans are a unique species. Attachment to losing is taken to a level of religious fanaticism by the Cub faithful. Of course the charm of the Cubs is not simply that they lose, but that they are lovable losers. This is what inspires undying devotion in their fans. Indeed if the Cubs were to do the improbable, nay the impossible, and win a World Series, Cub fans would risk losing the essence of their Cubness.

Ua1d We Were One And Two Teammates, Vernon Hornback

WKU Administration Documents

Undated autobiographical sketch written by Ted Hornback. He includes his experiences as a Hilltopper basketball player under E. A. Diddle, work as coach at Elkhorn and experiences working as Diddle's as assistant coach.

Ua19/16/1 Wku Football Media Guide, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

2003 football media guide produced by WKU Athletic Media Relations, includes athletic records and statistics, photographs, schedule and information regarding opponents.

An Evening With Cub Fans In Scotland: The Craigs Of Rockford, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Cub fans are a unique species. Attachment to losing is taken to a level of religious fanaticism by the Cub faithful. Of course the charm of the Cubs is not simply that they lose, but that they are lovable losers. This is what inspires undying devotion in their fans. Indeed if the Cubs were to do the improbable, nay the impossible, and win a World Series I suspect Cub fans would lose the essence of their Cubness.

Roone Arledge: A Tribute, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

The death of Roone Arledge this past week marks the passing of one those remarkable figures in recent history who had a major influence on mass culture in America. He changed the viewing habits of Americans, transformed the way in which television covers sport, altered the nature and character of American sport, and transformed the way in which television presents reality to the American public. For all of these reasons Roone Arledge cast a large shadow over America in the second half of the twentieth century.

The Masters Of Hypocrisy: Hootie, Tiger, Cbs, And The Corporate Sponsors, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Could there be an issue more emblematic of the Bush Era in domestic affairs than the smoldering muck pile being stoked at the legendary Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Master’s and seat of hypocrisy in the “New” South? Maybe there is, but until it comes across my laptop this will do.

Ua12/2/1 Back On Their Feet, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

College Heights Herald magazine about the women's basketball team. Articles include:

• Moore, Michael. Team Hopes to Win Back Fans, Fame
• Schoenbaechler, Danny. Without Star, Team Will Count on Scoring by Committee
• Farner, Keith. Conference Getting Stronger as Lady Toppers Try to Follow Suit
• Casagrande, Michael. No. 21 Louisiana Tech to Test Lady Toppers Out of Gate
• Lively, Jay. Her Vertical Takes Her a Half-inch Above the Rim – Tiffany Porter-Talbert
• Casagrande, Michael. Tiffany Diggins Expected to Step Up After Injury
• Moore, Michael. Camryn Whitaker’s Absence Leaves Team Wondering
• Eadens, Adam. Seniors Set Pace for New Season
• Buckman, Josh. Mary Cowles’ …

Baseball: Labor Peace And Great Play In The Post-Season, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

It was a baseball season to remember for a multitude of reasons. Just a year ago Luis Gonzalez denied the Yankees the hardware when his bloop single over a drawn-in infield sent the Diamondback fans partying into the night.

Ua12/2/1 Then & Now, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

College Heights Herald homecoming magazine with articles:

• Holm, Hollan. Big Red Evolves from Joke to Icon
• Hellmueller, Anthony. What’s Happening for Homecoming?
• Moore, Michael. Refrigerator Bowl Veterans Reunite
• Farner, Keith. Colonnade Used to Be Place to Watch Pigskin Fly – Stadium
• Lord, Joseph. 1962 Basketball Player Remembers Living with Coach E.A. Diddle – Bobby Rascoe, Diddle Dorm
• Schoenbaechler, Danny & Hollan Holm. 1972 Fraternity Brothers Reunite, Relive Days in Sigma Alpha Epsilon House
• Robinson, Jocelyn. 1983 The Cellar: From Boogie Nights to Study Nights – West Hall
• Hopkins, Shawntaye. 1994 Potter Hall Provided Location Near Classes
• Lowther, Clare. 2002 Tailgating …

Hockey In Sweden And Finland: The European Game Is Better, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

It was just about a year ago that I sat in a bar in Halifax and listened to a former Canadian hockey player explain that the European game, sans red line, was not a more open offensive style of hockey than that played in North America. After watching the tremendous hockey on display at the Olympic games last February I doubted the validity of the analysis. Over the last week after seeing two games, one in Sweden and one in Finland, I am even more skeptical of those defending the red line.

The English Primeirship: My Introduction To The Beautiful Game In England, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Outlined on a blue-gray October sky, or was it a September sky? Actually it was both and it was football. The four horsemen of Notre Dame were nowhere to be seen nor was Grantland Rice. It was English Premiership football and now after attending two games and watching others on television I am beginning to get a feel for this sport that makes Americans yawn and the world go into a frenzy.

The Protest Against Fox Hunting - A Report From London, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

Over 400,000 people marched through London yesterday in the largest protest ever seen in the English capital. They were not here to say no to the war with Iraq, they were not here to protest the crisis in the National Health Services. Believe it or not they were here to say no to the Blair government on plans to ban fox hunting.

Baseball's Collective Bargainng Agreement: A New Era?, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

It is difficult from this distance and without adequate Internet access to know precisely what happened to produce the settlement in the collective bargaining process between the owners and players in major league baseball. London is a major metropolitan area of the world with no lack of communications with the outside world, but quite frankly the level of interest in baseball is minimal. So it is with some trepidation that I try to comment on what has happened in the world of baseball over the past few weeks.