Hockey has always been my favorite sport to watch. I specifically like ice hockey. I like that it is fast-paced, and I have always been passionate about following the Colorado Avalanche.
According to Wikipedia, ice hockey has developed from other games involving "hitting a ball on an ice-covered surface" such as "Ijisgolf", a popular game in the Middle Ages that resembled colf. Other similar games were played by the Vikings. Modern ice hockey, however developed from "outdoor stick-and-ball games adapted to the icy conditions of Canada during the 19th century". There are different theories as to who is credited with the invention of ice hockey; some credit British immigrants to Canada, and others think that it was the Icelandic immigrants to North America. The early form of hockey, referred to as "shinney", was played on the St. Lawrence River in Quebec and provided entertainment and recreation for British soldiers. The word "hockey" has been used since the 1300's and has been used interchangeably with other stick-and-ball games over the centuries.
Montreal is widely considered the hub of the development of modern ice hockey. "On March 3, 1875, the first organized indoor game was played at Montreal's Victoria Skating Rink between two nine-player teams". The first hockey club, the "McGill University Hockey Club" was founded in 1877 by McGill students and faculty. The sport's popularity exploded and the first "world championship" of hockey was featured in Montreal's annual Winter Carnival in 1883. The origin of the Stanley Cup comes from Governor General of Canada Lord Stanley of Preston when he purchased a bowl-like trophy in 1893 in order to serve as the prize for the best hockey team in Canada. It was first referred to as the "Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup" and was first awarded to Montreal Hockey Club in 1893.
Professional ice hockey has occurred since the early 20th century. The National Hockey Association (NHA) was formed in Montreal in 1910 and was later re-organized as The National Hockey League in 1917. The league expanded into the US in 1924 with the addition of the Boston Bruins. Ice hockey is also popular today in Europe thanks to Lord Stanley's five sons introducing the sport. Hockey is the official winter sport of Canada. Women's leagues also became popular and today, hockey is "one of the fastest growing women's sports in the world".
A hockey team consists of "four lines of three forwards, three pairs of defensemen, and two goalies". Five members skate and attempt to score a goal (by shooting the puck into the opposing team's net). Games consist of three periods consisting of 20 minutes. There is the possibility of both an over-time and a "shoot-out" to decide the winner of the game if it is tied after the three periods.
Hockey is often associated with injury; players are often depicted as missing teeth. It is an extremely physical game and players often fight each other during the game. The problems that hockey face today include the theory that it is "racist"; it is commonly known that mostly white, upper-class men play hockey. The equipment is expensive and the sport requires a great deal of travel. It is a sport that is considered "privileged".
Hockey is a popular sport in Canada, Europe, and North America.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Sport in the Ancient World
Sports are not a novelty; they have been around since ancient times. The Olympic Games (776 BC)were around before the birth of Christ. The two main areas of the world that we have studied in terms of sport are Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.
First, Ancient Greece: the site of the Olympic games. In Greece, sport and religion went hand-in-hand. Although anyone was allowed to participate in the games, they were pushed physically in order to become the "perfect human specimen". I think of Hercules when I think of Ancient Greece and sports. Hercules, the son of Zeus was celebrated for his strength and physical ability, similar to the athletes that competed in the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece.
In Ancient Rome, sport and religion were not related. Instead, sport served as a form of entertainment. The gladiators still were held to high standards and had to be successful, but the connotation of a "god" was not on the line.
Today, we still hold athletes to extremely high standards. We expect them to have perfect bodies and to be in the best shape. We want them to continually strive to surpass records and be ultimate winners.
First, Ancient Greece: the site of the Olympic games. In Greece, sport and religion went hand-in-hand. Although anyone was allowed to participate in the games, they were pushed physically in order to become the "perfect human specimen". I think of Hercules when I think of Ancient Greece and sports. Hercules, the son of Zeus was celebrated for his strength and physical ability, similar to the athletes that competed in the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece.
In Ancient Rome, sport and religion were not related. Instead, sport served as a form of entertainment. The gladiators still were held to high standards and had to be successful, but the connotation of a "god" was not on the line.
Today, we still hold athletes to extremely high standards. We expect them to have perfect bodies and to be in the best shape. We want them to continually strive to surpass records and be ultimate winners.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Sport, Society, & Me
Sport for me is mostly for entertainment. I only played one "team sport" in high school and I highly enjoyed it. I do partake in running and dancing, but I don't technically consider them to be what society deems "sports". When I think of sports, I think of watching the buffs play Oregon, or the Broncos going to the Super Bowl. I have become interested in watching sports on TV and I love attending games. I think that sports are very entertaining.
I also think that sports are a good way for people to learn perseverance, teamwork, and dedication. I think that everybody should partake in at least one team sport in order to learn these important skills.
As far as US society as a whole, I think that overwhelmingly sports are positive. They provide entertainment and an outlet for people to discuss and be passionate about. They can provide positive role models (such as Peyton Manning). However, I think that sports in society do have a negative streak. I think that sports are becoming too much about money and winning. Along with the positive role models, there are negative ones (A Rod, Lance Armstrong, etc.). There are performance enhancing drugs that take away from the integrity of the sport.
I also think that sports are a good way for people to learn perseverance, teamwork, and dedication. I think that everybody should partake in at least one team sport in order to learn these important skills.
As far as US society as a whole, I think that overwhelmingly sports are positive. They provide entertainment and an outlet for people to discuss and be passionate about. They can provide positive role models (such as Peyton Manning). However, I think that sports in society do have a negative streak. I think that sports are becoming too much about money and winning. Along with the positive role models, there are negative ones (A Rod, Lance Armstrong, etc.). There are performance enhancing drugs that take away from the integrity of the sport.
Friday, January 17, 2014
The Sport Ethic
According to Hughes & Coakley, the sport ethic "refers to what many participants in sport have come to use as the criteria for defining what it means to be a real athlete" (Hughes & Coakley, 308). The sport ethic consists of four beliefs: 1) Being an athlete requires sacrifices for The Game, 2) Being an athlete involves striving for distinction, 3) Being an athlete involves accepting risks and playing through pain, and 4) Being an athlete involves refusing to accept limits in the pursuit of possibilities (Hughes & Coakley, 310). I think that athletes conform to these ideals because being an athlete involves striving to be "the best" that one can be, as well as striving to be a role model for others. I think all athletes (myself included) strive for distinction either individually or as a team. This is partly due to the fan culture. No professional athlete or professional team wants to disappoint their fans, and they want to be regarded as the best.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Sports in the USA
There are many types of sports that are popular in the US, but by far the most popular is American football. The Super Bowl is the most viewed television event in America, and the fan-base is huge. Other sports that are popular in America are baseball, basketball, and hockey. Baseball used to be considered the "American past time" but I think that football has become more associated with America. Soccer (futbol) is not nearly as big a deal in America as it is in other countries.
As far as a typical "game day" in America, there is usually (especially in the case of football) a "tailgating" event that occurs before the game in which people get amped for the game by drinking and participating in games with each other. The whole day (which is traditionally Sunday for football) revolves around the event.
We measure success in sports in terms of winning. The teams that win the most in professional sports are considered the best. However, we also measure success based on individual players with titles such as "most valuable player" (MVP) and awards such as the Heisman trophy.
As far as a typical "game day" in America, there is usually (especially in the case of football) a "tailgating" event that occurs before the game in which people get amped for the game by drinking and participating in games with each other. The whole day (which is traditionally Sunday for football) revolves around the event.
We measure success in sports in terms of winning. The teams that win the most in professional sports are considered the best. However, we also measure success based on individual players with titles such as "most valuable player" (MVP) and awards such as the Heisman trophy.
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