A study of the mythological elements attendant upon professional baseball reveals the complex social and cultural beliefs contributing to the current American world view. (LH)

The development of the American system of school athletics from the time of the Puritans to the present day is discussed, and the social ramifications of our contemporary sports culture are considered. (LH)

Since the Middle Ages, sport has survived because of its masochistic and sadistic components. The Greeks, who organized athletic contests into the Olympic Games in 776 B.C., emphasized the relationship between the mind and the body and fair competition, rather than putting emphasis on winning or losing. The Romans preferred the spectacle of…

Discussion of the evolution of the high school in the United States focuses on factors that have influenced its social role and functions. Points out that schools have never been passive agents in serving the needs of society; rather they have played an important part in setting standards and creating social patterns.(GC)

The organization of amateur sports around the school and university system is a uniquely American administrative structure. This paper traces the developmental patterns leading to the emergence of sports-governing bodies such as the Amateur Athletic Union, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Association for Girls and…

The development of successful intercollegiate athletic teams has become increasingly important as a formal concern of higher education institutions. This situation has evolved from the historical lack of social consensus (or "charter") on appropriate goals of higher education and from the program objectives of business-minded college…