Throughout history sports have been a major part of society and has grown tremendously throughout the years. It is a huge part of our everyday lives; it is what we thrive on in our culture for entertainment as well as representation. Reading through chapter 1 in Coakley’s text Sports In Society for week one of class, he defines sport and it’s importance to the world. Starting on 4 Coakley gives definitions from all areas for words like sociology, sports, dramatic and gender spectacles, and many other key words in the field. Within those key words are many factors that play big rules in them such as politics, family, friends, media, religion, and society itself. Athletes grow and learn their morals and views from all of these factors defining who they are and how they act as players and humans.
Looking even deeper into the values and the chapter, Coakley talks about nationalism, pride, and how a place can view sports even more then just as entertainment. When people introduce themselves they tend to mention a favorite sport or team that they consider part of their world. Even in bad times sports have become so important that they are used as tools to show unity and one society coming together to represent something huge. A great example is in 2001 after 9/11 where the NFL and MLB had ceremonies dedicated in honor of the victims and their families. During pre-games, half times bringing out giant flags, the families themselves, and the national anthem. People no matter what fans came together to honor these people and show how even after the worst tragedies America stands strong together.With all of these points Coakley talks about in chapter 1. We can see that sport is not just a form of entertainment but something way bigger in defining a person and how it unifies people in a strong bond of society.
Article: Sports In Society by Jerry Coakley
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