Abstract This paper discusses the psychological make up of a sports fan and shows that it is much more complicated than its first glance suggests. The payback for being a sports fan includes the feeling of belonging, a better sense of well being, the ability to identify with the success of someone else and the ability to escape stresses in real life. The paper shows that sports fans around the world behave as consumers in both positive and negative ways which lead marketing departments scrambling to put their finger on keeping it profitable. Sports fans of all kinds identify and lock into their sport or team. Through their own actions they continue to drive profits up while relishing the togetherness being a fan affords them. The paper shows that for sports marketing departments to increase profits, it is important that they focus on making the group experience a positive one for fans.
From the Paper "Tailgate parties, thematic approaches to office parties and the selling out of merchandise are all examples of the psychological stronghold that being a sports fan holds for the person who becomes one.
Sports fan behavior has been studied since the 1970s (Nelson pg 18).
The social identity theory has long since been attached to sport fan behavior to explain how self esteem and evaluation can be elevated by identifying with the success of someone else. This is because many fans will discuss the athletic wins in the first person including statements such as "We played well" but when it came to losses the fan moves back to third person with statements such as "They lost last week" (Nelson pg 18) This behavior provides an understanding of what draws sports fans to become fans. They feel success through the success of the athletes and can push losses off on the team because they are not on the team themselves."
A discussion on the decline in the number of middle and junior high schools implementing intramural sports programs, and what affect this might have on the students.
Abstract This paper discusses both the positive and negative aspects of competitive sports on teenagers. It shows that many positive benefits for young adolescents may result from participation in sports which can enhance their self-esteem and increase their interest in sports. However, the writer also discusses that when young adolescent needs and interests become secondary to pressures and unreasonable expectations from coaches, parents, the community, and even themselves, sports often have the opposite effect.
From the Paper "Over the last two decades, there has been a steady decline in the number of middle and junior high schools implementing intramural sports programs. Data from a 1993 national survey of 1,798 middle schools reported 63% of schools offered intramural sports programs for sixth graders, a decrease of 5% in 5 years. The decline was even more pronounced at the seventh grade level, where 58% of grade 7 in middle schools had intramural sports programs as compared with 67% in 1988, a decrease of 9% in five years (Sports in Middle Grades, 2001). Similar decreases were found at the eighth grade level (McEwin, Dickinson, & Jenkins, 1996). The same study found the higher the middle grade, the less likely students were to have access to intramural programs. The general trend seems to be toward smaller percentages of schools offering intramural programs. Given the high percentage of schools that offer interscholastic programs, especially at the senior high level, but also at the middle school level -- why the trend to get rid of intramural sports programs?"
Abstract This paper examines why a high standard of ethical behavior is just as important for non-profit corporations as it is for for-profit corporations. The paper makes special reference to the recent problems with the United States Olympic Committee, which demonstrated that even non-profit organizations are subject to corporate failure and need to be monitored and regulated. The paper suggests that a responsible organization will in fact benefit from its own proper actions, as well as ultimately benefiting the wider business and social community.
From the Paper "To take up the moral objections first, one can argue that corporate social responsibility must be practiced because it is the right thing to do. A business executive should never find himself or herself asking the question: "If I conduct my business in an unethical way, how much more money will I make"? Rather, each individual must determine how much gain is reasonable and, having decided this, match those expectations of financial gain with a business that can be carried out in a responsible and moral fashion (www.business-ethics.org). This is true rather one is raising money for a charity or trying to make a profit."
Abstract This five-page paper presents a detailed look at the history of the National Basketball Association. The author of this paper discusses how the game itself got started as well as how the NBA came to be. We are given some stats as well as background about various NBA events and players.
Abstract This paper researches the use and development of anabolic steroids in professional and college level athletes and traces its effect and impact on the psycho-physiology of the sports player.
Abstract This paper will discuss public relations within the sports community along the guidelines of "Effective Public Relations - 8th Edition" by Scott M. Cutlip, Alen H. Center and Glen M. Broom and seek to understand athlete relations, merchandising, communication, professionalism, adaptation to change, program evaluations and media relations within sports public relations.
Abstract This paper examines the broad aspects of teenage fitness. It looks at body image, safety, social and emotional health, and the overall effect of fitness on the quality of life. It concludes that even in the face of an increasingly obese teenage population, we need to further emphasis fitness for the overall improvement on the quality of life.
Abstract This paper begins with a definition of the rules of street racing. It then examines the sociological aspects of this illegal pastime, especially its appeal to inner-city adolescent boys. The paper then discusses a police report on an event involving street, or drag, racing. Finally, the paper examines the steps taken by law enforcement agencies to curb this dangerous sport.
From the Paper "The problem of illegal street racing is more common in the inner cities, although kids in suburban neighborhoods do also engage in such sport. For the most part, inner city kids are more likely to engage in such activities than other groups. School age children in the inner cities often are unable to find many other activities and services in their neighborhoods. According to studies, "The illegal street racing sport is more prevalent in African American neighborhoods, under a climate of isolation, the underclass youth evolve new attitudes, behaviors and practices which further marginalize their neighborhoods". {Douglas Massey and Nancy Denton. 1994}"
Abstract This is a position paper on the positive side of skateboarding in urban areas. It cites points, such as it being an alternative means of transportation, entertainment for the youth, and an environmentally friendly pastime.
From the Paper "In today's society teens are faced with many types of profiling. One of the most popular acts of profiling is in teen sports. Teens are basically profiled for the type of sport they participate in, which the media describes as dangerous and harmful such as skateboarding. Skateboarding is one of the most popular and growing sports today but many cities are banning skateboarding from the streets and leaving skateboarders no place to skate since the public assumes that it's a great threat to the city. Society perceive skateboarders as criminals who don?t go to school, do drugs, destroy property and who are a nuisance to society."
Abstract This paper explains that exercise promotes higher self-esteem as long as the individual enjoys the particular exercise program or feels there are definite and measurable benefits to participating in the program. The author points out that self-esteem can increase an individual's confidence; therefore, if a person has confidence, he or she will have self-respect and find it easier to respect others, which improve one's relationships and promotes health. The paper relates that the beauty of exercise is that, once hooked, an individual continues to self-motivate and, therefore, finds reasons to increase participation in the exercise program.
From the Paper "Exercise provides many benefits. These athletes receive a unique benefit that many laymen simply are unaware that it comes with the turf so to speak. Professional athletes get the benefit of added self-esteem. ?Speculation regarding the interactions between physical activity and self-esteem can be traced back to the origins of sport and have been of concern to physical educators throughout the history of the discipline. During the past two decades, however, we have witnessed a resurgence of interest in body-self interactions in sport due largely to advances in exercise psychology.?"
Abstract This paper looks at how organized sports offer players an opportunity to meet a variety of students from different backgrounds and how students from public, private, and parochial schools are brought together in a common enterprise, crossing socioeconomic and ethnic lines, so that all players broaden their sense of how other people live. It hypothesizes that males who participate in collegiate athletics have a more positive attitude towards diversity than males who do not participate on collegiate athletic teams. It examines the validity of this statement in an effort to determine how collegiate sports contribute to players? attitudes toward diversity and how this knowledge can improve general notions about diversity. This research question is addressed through a literature review and a questionnaire that samples both male college athletes and non-athletes.
Outline
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Statement of the Problem
Participation in College Athletics: An Open Door to Diversity
Potential of College Athletic Community's Model of Diversity
Methodology
Discussion
Bibliography
From the Paper "Attitudes toward diversity and the behavior patterns that accompany these attitudes are likely to affect a student's overall adjustment to a higher education facility since they deal with a student's ability to successfully adapt to new surroundings (Astin, 1982). For example, studies reveal that students who had positive interracial experiences had a tendency to feel more confident about their own achievements and had more positive feelings about the academic environment as a whole than students who did not have positive interracial experiences."
Abstract This paper looks at the economic impact of Michael Jordan that resulted from his super-star status and his endorsement of certain products. The paper points out that, in addition to having had a positive economic impact on the NBA, Michael Jordan has also had a tremendous economic impact on companies whose products he has endorsed and that, in essence, Jordan himself represents power, influence, globalism, wealth, and capitalism .
From the Paper "Sport personalities and their sponsors have now become a winning combination and the link between the two has proved to be an immensely profitable connection for the global economy. There are several reasons why sports personalities are chosen to promote certain products. Firms are quite careful in their selection of the right face and name to associate with their products or services. Research in this area indicates that firms select celebrities when it is felt that ?the life experiences of endorsers fit the advertising message, that the endorser has high appeal with the firm's target consumer group, or that the endorser's universal appeal makes the advertising universal.? (Mathur et al, 1997)"
Abstract This paper offers a critical examination of ethical issues in professional sports, using theories and ideas from well-known experts in the field. After a brief look at the role of sports throughout history, the paper focuses on the importance of winning and the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes. It questions the widespread use of drugs in the pursuit of victory and critically examines the reasons that this practice is forbidden.
From the Paper "Avid interest in sports affects the entire world, from soccer in Europe to ice hockey in Russia. Sports were important in ancient times to the Greeks and Romans, and to Native American cultures as well. Robert Simon points out in his book Fair Play: The Ethics of Sport that "participation in sports, and the related activity of play, are characteristic of most, if not all, human societies" (2)."
Abstract This paper discusses how performance-enhancing drugs, such as steroids, should be banned in professional baseball for many reasons. It contends that, besides the devastating damage and effects they impose upon the human body, steroids should be banned because they diminish the glory of the real baseball heroes.
From the Paper "Steroids, especially the anabolic type, impose devastating effects and damage to the human body. Anabolic steroids are the steroids that are most widely used to enhance performance. They are called "anabolic" because they are the synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone, testosterone and are built up into complex living tissue (Shapen, 2005). The adverse effects of anabolic steroids are countless. One expert, Dr. Enrique Beckmann states that, "androgenic anabolic steroids cause hypertension, heart attacks, sudden cardiac death... liver tumors, jaundice... enlarged prostate, depression, aggression, and hostility" (Chico, 2005)."
Abstract In today's world, excelling in sports requires more than just natural ability. This paper examines the fact that many sports stars' exceptional abilities are inevitably linked to performance enhancing drugs. It looks at how, due to the pressure from all sides to perform well, some athletes resort to taking steroids to enhance their athletic ability.
From the Paper "Ben Johnson, the Canadian Olympic sprinter was stripped of his gold medal in the 1988 summer games after testing positive for steroids. Later he would admit to have taken up to three injections of steroids as well as three injections of human growth hormone (Cicero, 1990, p.1). Steroids turn the human body into this super human like machine. With all the pressures to succeed in professional sports today, performance-enhancing drugs seem to be the answer. The demand for stardom and multi-million dollar contracts has become a need for today's athlete, so much that they are willing to reach it by any means necessary. Professional boxing star, David Tua, who had always struggled with his weight, was tested positive for the banned stimulant ephedrine."
