Abstract This paper explains in detail the events surrounding the accusations of bribery, game fixing and scandal in the 1919 World Series Championships. It discuss event by event, examining the main players and the people involved. It explains how this was to be excecuted, the hordes of money people received, how they were found out and how this scandal broke. The paper also looks at how this scandal effected sports fans in America - how they felt that their heros had abandoned them and their dreams were shattered.
From the Paper "Naturally, the highlight of the baseball season in 1919 was the seventeenth annual World Series championships, this season bringing the Cincinnati Reds of the National League together with the Chicago White Sox of the American League. The early betting favorites were the White Sox, and for good reasons: their final regular season record of 88-52 was formidable, the team batting average for the year was a substantial .287, and they boasted two pitchers, Eddie Cicotte and Claude Williams, who had combined to win 52 games in 1919, fully fifty-nine per cent of their victories (THE PEOPLE?S ALMANAC #2, edited by David Wallechinsky and Irving Wallace, pages 91-91, Bantam Books, New York, 1978). In present times, a season of fifteen wins is sure to lead to contract renegotiation for a pitcher. The Sox were installed as solid 5-1 favorites to bring the title home to Chicago."
Abstract This paper describes college football's bowl games. Additionally, the author explains in detail the ranking system in which a team qualifies to enter a bowl game, called the Bowl Champion Series ranking system. The author argues that the Bowl Champion Series ranking system must be changed and amended. This would be better for post season play. The paper concludes that if the changes are made, the old excitement of football games would come back as well.
From the Paper "What, for instance would happen if there were three undefeated teams; one would not be able to simply choose one undefeated team and declare them champions. A playoff would of course be bale to determine the ruling champions, but if there were for example, three undefeated teams, then how would one playoff and settle the score? Two of the three would probably have to play against another undefeated team, and this means that it would also have to play twice to win it, while the third team would get to play against a possibly lesser team, with one single loss. This brings another issue to the forefront, which is, why shouldn't one loss teams be regarded as the undefeated teams, and why shouldn't these teams have an equal shot as the other teams at the Championship? Perhaps the real and true problem may not be the playoff system, or the Bowl Championship Series, but the fact that there are in fact more than 116 Division 1- A schools taking part in the college football championships, and the very scope of college football is so very large and enormous that it is extremely difficult for anyone to be able to narrow it down to either two, or four, or even eight best teams who would deserve to play for the championship above the others. (Bowl Championship Series ... The Final Word) "
Abstract This paper describes the current method used to select a national champion in the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I football and explains the structure of college football programs. The paper also explains the two main controversies that surrounds this selection process.
Overview and Structure
Money
Controversy
From the Paper "The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) is the current method used to select a national champion in NCAA Division I football. The NCAA declares no national champion and has no playoff system. The series has its genesis in the controversies of the 1990s, when there was sometimes no clear national champion, in part because there was no national championship game. Rankings obtained from polls of either coaches or sports writers were used during this time. When both sets of rankings produced the same number one team, that team was considered the consensus best in the country. Aside from not specifically crowning any team "national champion", the system often produced two different number one teams, both claiming to be the best. The NCAA sought to rectify this problem by creating a national championship game, and what followed was a series of attempts to create a system whereby the top two teams met in that game."
Abstract This paper examines how planning, controlling, organizing, and leading are the four management functions that every organization needs to manage to achieve its goals. It looks at how one organization that has had significant problems in the past is the Dallas Cowboys and how the goal of the Dallas Cowboys is to become a championship team, with a dependency on the management of the organization as much as on performance on the field. It assesses the organization by looking at both positive and negatives aspects in order to make recommendations on what the Dallas Cowboys need to do to become a championship team again.
From the Paper "One of the major problems that the Dallas Cowboys have had in recent years is the bad image the team has received because of players being involved in off-field incidents. These off-field incidents include claims of rape, assault and drug use. In addition, players have been suspended because of drug use. These incidents create two major problems. Firstly, players can be lost through either suspension or through going to jail over rape and assault incidents. This limits the organization's ability to manage the organizing function, which refers to assigning tasks and allocating resources. For the Dallas Cowboys to win a championship, the major resource they need is the players of their team. If the team does not have reliable players that they know will be available this creates a level of uncertainty that makes it difficult to organize the team. This suggests that the organization could have problems attracting good players and retaining them."
Abstract This paper discusses how the story of Don Haskins, the long time and Hall of Fame college basketball coach from Texas Western/UTEP had been largely uncelebrated until the 2006 release of "Glory Road". Directed by James Gartner and staring Josh Lucas as Coach Haskins, the movie depicts his 1966 National Championship run as the barrier breaking coach who was the first to start all black players and win the National Championship. The paper relates that the movie show how, by defeating perennial power and all white Kentucky, Haskins helped break down the racial barrier in sports, particularly in the South. The paper contends that the story told in "Glory Road" is truly an important event in not only American sports history, but also a story which sheds light on and highlights much of the racial issues which are prevalent in sports.
From the Paper "Glory Road takes place in the 1960s, primarily in Texas and in the general atmosphere of the racial tensions existing in the American South during the time period. In the movie, the African-Americans who Don Haskin's recruited are given little opportunity to play collegiate basketball and although they have a love for the game, they do not see it as a viable alternative. They are well aware of the limited opportunities afforded to black athletes and to African-Americans in general. However, it seems Don Haskin's is oblivious to this as he cares only about winning and thus is willing to defy the established norms of NCAA Division I basketball in the South and play his men regardless of color. It is not until later as the season develops that he begins to realize the social implications of his actions as head coach as Haskins and his team become something more than just a basketball team, but a team that is playing for something more than just basketball. "
Abstract This paper tells the story of how soccer grew from very primitive beginnings to being played in front of thousands of fans at a time. It reports the very first recordings of actual games being played and how soccer was almost doomed to extinction. The paper then explains in depth how soccer migrated to the United States and how it grew so rapidly since then. It concludes with predictions on the future of soccer.
From the Paper "So many ancient cultures played a sport with skills and layout similar to modern day soccer that nobody can agree on exactly by whom or when soccer was created, but it has been traced back to cultures as far as 3000 years ago (Eskenanzi126). One of the earliest forms was from Japan c. 1004 B.C. where a ball was kicked on a rectangular field (Fulton Internet). The Munich Ethnological Museum found text from China around 50 B.C. that mentions a lot of games similar to the modern day game of soccer, and games that were played between China and Japan (Fulton Internet). We know the Chinese kicked a leather ball around, and it is certain that there was a game played in the ancient Japanese capital Kyoto."
Abstract The paper explains that now that professional sports have entered the 21st century, it is crucial that Major League Baseball institutes revenue sharing and a salary cap to maintain the competition between large and small market franchises. It maintains that with a dozen struggling, small-market ball clubs, constant discussion about contracting teams, and individual salaries skyrocketing over the payrolls of entire teams, the time has come where the owners and players must agree on something for the betterment of the game's future. The paper shows however that with continuous disagreements between the owners and player's union, and the threat of another strike, the negative effects may outweigh the positive.
From the Paper "The Major League Baseball Player's Association is the strongest union in professional sports. The players would most likely strike if a salary cap was presented to them because most of the league's athletes would be faced with a reduction in salary (Smizik). It is believed that another strike would cause Major League Baseball to lose millions of dollars and possibly fan support. ?It would take a long and bitter work stoppage for the players to accept a salary cap and it would simply not be worth it,? says Smizik. Smizik believes a salary cap would help baseball's economic future, but is opposed because of the costs it will take to institute it. Baseball had a difficult time regaining fan support after the 1994 strike, and a second may be even more difficult to overcome (Smizik). However, true baseball fans will realize that the strike was necessary for the league's economic future, and will still support the game."
Abstract This paper examines the origins and the history of weightlifting over the years. It shows that the origin of lifting traces goes back in the earliest of documented history where man's attraction with physical ability can be seen with several ancient writings. From ancient Egypt and Greece, this paper traces the history of weightlifting events and competitions and discusses their history in different countries from France and Germany to Norway and Greece. It evaluates the medical opinion of weightlifting training and how since World War II, doctors have initiated research on muscle work out for the treatment of various kinds of wounds and muscle transformation. There is also a focus on women weightlifters who have since 1987 been accepted out at the World Championship competition.
From the Paper "During that era, athletes were allowed to make four tries. However, after Steinbach gave up, Dimtris Tofalos made his last try. While, Spurred made an amazing attempt by lifting the extraordinary weight for that period making a record that remained until 1914. However, after ten years, i-e in 1924, the rules changed once again (ESPN.2001). What is worth mentioning here is the first sections of weightlifting formed during the ear between 1896 and 1906 by the Ethnikos Gymnastics Sports Club, Sports Clubs Eteria Patron, and Panellinios Gymnastics Sports Club (ESPN.2001)."
Abstract This paper provides a general overview of the game of soccer. It examines the reasons why the game has not become popular in America. The paper then discusses the different competitions and tournaments where soccer is played, including the World Cup, the FC Champions' Cup and the Olympics.
From the Paper "Though Americans may not have yet found soccer to be game that deserves National acceptance there remain die-hard fans that follow the games played in the nation and abroad. Then with the growth of the media the World Cup fever grips the nations and even America cannot remain immune. Thus, in 1994 it hosted the World Cup and since then the diminishing game has again taken hold in the country. To give the Americans their due even before 1994 there was an established soccer network within the states and national competitions were held with the most prestigious being the US Open Cup under the U.S. Soccer Federation's National Championship."
Abstract This in-depth paper discusses the rise to power of Governor Joseph E. Brown of Georgia during the Antebellum Period (1840-1860) in American History. It argues that Brown's rise was based on his support for states' rights, his common man roots and popularity. The paper describes that his power was a championship of the common Georgian causes, slavery, and a division within the Democratic Party. It equates Brown's success with the fact that he was a true Georgian and never dealt with national politics. The paper concludes that Brown used his power as Governor to lead Georgia out of the Union, when most Georgians wanted to remain in the Union.
Table of Contents:
State Senator Joseph E. Brown and His Common Man Roots: 1849-1851
The Georgia Democratic State Convention of 1857
Governor Joseph E. Brown and the March to War: 1857-1860
The Election of Lincoln and the Georgia Convention on Secession: 1860-1861
The Georgian Joseph E. Brown: Conclusions
Bibliography
From the Paper "A defining moment in American history was the cannon shot that could be heard across the country. At 4:30 in the morning on April 12, 1861, Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard (b. 1818 ? d. 1893), under the orders of Confederate President Jefferson Davis (b. 1808 ? d. 1889), opened fire on the besieged Fort Sumter in the Charleston, South Carolina, harbor, starting the American Civil War (1861-1865). The following day, Georgia Governor Joseph Emerson Brown (b. 1821 ? d. 1894) received a telegram from the newly appointed Confederate Secretary of War, Leroy P. Walker (b. 1817 ? d. 1884), informing Brown of the events in South Carolina. Walker wrote, ?I must beg you at once without more delay to furnish my requisition for troops of March 9th. . . I trust you will concur with me in the opinion that the emergency of the case demands instant action.? As Governor Brown read this letter he must have felt apprehensive. On the previous January 19th, using his power and popularity, Brown had lead Georgia out of the Union during a state convention, but now the first shots of a rebellion had been fired. This Southern Rebellion would surely lead to the creation of an independent Confederated States of America. At this point Brown must choose between the protection of Georgia and the protection of the newly born Confederate States of America. Brown quickly began writing his response to Secretary Walker."
Abstract This paper discusses the rivalry between and stiff competition between the baseball teams from Boston and New York City, the Red Sox and the Yankees. It examines the root causes of this rivalry which dates back to 1920 when Harry Frazee, the "unlucky" owner of Red Sox, sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $100,000 and never won a World Series again. This is now known as the Curse of the Bambino which has badly affected the Red Sox performance and fans are keenly awaiting a strong comeback 84 years after the team won its last major championship. It evaluates the games and decisions over the years since 1920, which have served as catalysts for this enduring rivalry and how Red Sox needs to get over this curse jinx if they truly want to beat Yankees and reduce the impact of this long and fierce rivalry.
From the Paper "Since that fateful Bambino trade, New York Yankees has maintained its domination in the field of baseball. Not only do they play skillfully, they also have the right attitude towards the game. Apart from that they have the psychological edge over Red Sox that is backed by a wonderful record. A rivalry, which was initiated by Babe Ruth, was gave a enduring touch by other great players including Bucky Dent whose home run hit in 1978 occupies a major place in the successful history of Yankees."
Abstract This paper will discuss the career of Michael Jordan, and the high achievements he made in his sport. By analyzing these aspects of his career, we can see how he won many championships through his abilities.
Abstract This paper discusses the career and successes of Michael Jordan, the famous basketball star. The writer traces his career from its beginning as a winning freshman to the many championships won and medals received. The writer also includes Jordan's own opinions about his career, the view of his teenage son and of critics like Michael Hunt.
From the Paper "Jordan is not only the best-known player in the history of basketball, he is considered the best-known athlete in the world (Michael2 pp). Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, he accepted a basketball scholarship from the University of North Carolina and as a freshman scored the winning basket in the 1982 NCAA championship game against the Hoyas of Georgetown (Michael2 pp). He was selected college player of the year for the 1983-1984 season, and in 1984 led the United States basketball team to a gold medal at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and that same year left college to play with the Chicago Bulls (Michael2 pp). Jordan announced his retirement prior to the 1993-1994 season, stating that he had lost his desire to play professional basketball (Michael2 pp). Initially known for his scoring, his tenacious defensive play had made him one of the greatest all-around basketball players in NBA history, as well as a worldwide celebrity due to his success in the NBA and the Olympics, and his numerous commercial endorsements (Michael2 pp)."
Abstract This paper states that boxing is seen by many as a brutal sport. The author points out that Roy Jones, Jr., has held world championships in the three weight divisions of Light Heavyweight, Super Middleweight and Middleweight. The paper relates that he has been a force against brutality with a style that is conservative but effective.
From the Paper "Boxing is seen by many as a brutal sport. Images of men beating each other to bloody submission lead to the misunderstanding that a boxing match is simply a legalized street fight. Roy Jones, Jr., who has held world championships ..."
Abstract This essay compares two case studies, one on the Chemplus (B) firm, and one on Puck Stop, an informal group formed to win a trivia championship at a local bar. The paper compares the case studies and uses the text provided to show the problems in communication, their relation to perceptions, and how this ultimately resulted in behavioral dysfunctions and a failure to achieve their goals.
From the Paper "In both the Chemplus (B) and Puck Stop cases, communications problems and allow behavioral dysfunctions to deepen. Underlying feelings of inequity, basic human behavioral natures, take center stage and hinder the performance of the groups involved. Similarities in communications problems exist despite each group having quite a different organizational structure. Chemplus is a formal corporate organization with a division of labor and a hierarchy of authority. Harry Barlow is a manager who appears to manage with a wide span of control. The Puck Stop case has an informal association of people organized into a group by Puck Stop patrons Hannah Kurtzmann and Mike Colangelo."
