I'll start off by telling Kim and Megan "great job" on their presentations today; especially being the first group to go. I never heard of the betting situation involving the NBA referee so it was really interesting to learn of it.
We talked about chapter 5 a lot in class today, but there are still some things I want to touch on. I'm very surprised in all the chapters I've read so far how important Track and Field was. It never caught on like football or baseball but it always seems to be mentioned in all the chapters and with any social class or ethnic group. I find this interesting as someone with a love of track and never seeing it get much attention or with a very small fan base.
Can you image if Crickethad become "America's great pastime" instead of baseball. It's too bad the Civil War was part of the reason that baseball took the lead in popularity, but I'm sure glad it did! Then again, I'd probably be saying the same thin g about Cricket had it become one of our most popular sports. I'm actually very surprised that cricket isn't played more in clubs or intermurals; when I think of cricket I think of Europe and I automatically get a sense of status and importance associated with the game.
I was very surprised to learn about the Turner societies; although I am still a little confused about them. However, I can't imagine gymnastics being so popular; but I'm glad it was and the Turners were able to introduce the sport to schools; some of which still have gymnastics teams today. I am very thankful to the Turners for introducing exercise programs as well, to both the public and schools. It is kind of ironic actually that in today's society where we know so much more about health, physical activity, and have such a high rate of obesity that many schools are cutting out gym classes or recess; when in the 1800 these people understood the importance of a strong exercise program.
The last thing I'll mention is how badly I wish I could have visted the New York Athletic Club in the late 1800's. With the picture on page 76, it just makes me think of a simpler time (although I'm sure it probably wasn't), and of all the wealthy people who would eat in their dining room; and probably the women dressed in beautiful gowns and the men in tuxedos. It reminds me of the dining room on the Titanic, what an amazing time to live in, looking back now.
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Believe it or not, I have not seen the movie about the Titanic! Now that you mention that it looked like the New York Athletic Club, I may have to rent it so that I can see what that was like. It is pretty amazing to think that so many schools are taking away gym classes, especially in light of today's "obesity epidemic." It makes no sense, and yet many colleges and universities no longer have physical education training programs either. During the 1800s, schools like Harvard were among the first to offer physical education (sometimes called physical culture) classes. Perhaps if Harvard took the lead again, that would help to re-instate such programs.
ReplyDeleteI am also glad that you pointed out the prevalence of Track and field in the early chapters of the text. It is intriguing to me to think about what our culture would be like if someone had perhaps advocated a different sport (e.g., cricket). But, like you, I am glad we have baseball. In fact, I am already eagerly anticipating the start of Spring Training!