My educational journey at Pacific has introduced me to the financial aspect of sport, the laws behind which players can play where and how many handicap parking spaces are required for a stadium to host the Super Bowl. I have learned how to market and promote sport, as well as manage it's enterprises and plan special events. However, this class has taught me knowing how to market or manage or plan sport is fairly useless without first understanding how sport is perceived throughout culture and society.
Because of my sport management background, I had previous knowledge of the dark side of sport. I knew players were being exploited by the NCAA, I knew that sport wasn't the most accepting of the LGBT community and I was aware of the issues surrounding PEDs and gender testing. However, this class has challenged me to go beyond the on the surface issues and really dive deep into the culture of sport and it's importance in today's society. These issues do go away with the end of the semester, they are very real issues and very real people are fighting and struggling with these controversies on a day to day basis. As someone who wants to pursue a career in sport, it is my duty as a professional to understand and provide a safe space for conversations like the ones we had in class to happen on a professional level. While that may sound easier than it is to actually execute, the issues discussed throughout this semester are ones that I will most likely have to face as I prepare to enter the sport industry. After this semester, the knowledge and insight of my peers have allowed me to form my own opinions, ones that I stick strongly by and hope will be able to support and execute throughout my professional development.
Regardless of what culture or society one is raised in, sport has a presents. Because of this, I would definitely recommend this class to a friend. Not only does Professor Killick keep the class energetic and engaged, but allows each individual to form his or her own opinion on every topic discussed in class. No matter where you travel in the world, sport holds its spot in culture, making this class something that anyone can relate to and discuss.
Very nice job reflecting on the topics of this class and how you will use what you've learned in your career. How has this class effected your writing skills? I would have liked to hear you input on that but regardless it has been great reading your blogs each week.
ReplyDelete~Brittainy