Blog Archives

As March Madness looms, growth in legalized sports betting may pose a threat to college athletes

As March Madness looms, growth in legalized sports betting may pose a threat to college athletes

When March Madness begins on March 14, 2023, it’s a sure bet that millions of Americans will be making wagers on the annual college basketball tournament. The American Gaming Association estimates that in 2022, 45 million people – or more than 17% of American adults – planned to wager US$3.1 billion on the NCAA tournament. That makes it one of […] … learn more→

5 ways pressuring young athletes to perform well does them harm

5 ways pressuring young athletes to perform well does them harm

When Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin collapsed during a Jan. 3, 2022, NFL football game, much of the public attention was on the pressures athletes face to perform despite the perils they face on the field. However, as a scholar who specializes in youth sports, I have found that this pressure often begins well before a […] … learn more→

SCOTUS is about to decide whether a public school football coach can pray on the field

SCOTUS is about to decide whether a public school football coach can pray on the field

The Supreme Court has consistently banned school-sponsored prayer in public K-12 schools, whether at the start of the school day, during graduation ceremonies or before football games. Under the Equal Access Act, the Supreme Court has affirmed that students may organize prayer and Bible study clubs during non-instructional hours. Even so, school staff and outside adults may not actively participate. Lower courts […] … learn more→

How much is the media buzz from a March Madness Cinderella run worth to a school like Saint Peter’s?

How much is the media buzz from a March Madness Cinderella run worth to a school like Saint Peter’s?

Few people outside Jersey City had heard of the No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s Peacocks before they upset No. 2 seed Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Two days later, Saint Peter’s beat No. 7 seed Murray State to advance to the Sweet 16 and become the darlings of the men’s college basketball world. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski […] … learn more→

Why some college sports are often out of reach for students from low-income families

Why some college sports are often out of reach for students from low-income families

When it comes to landing a spot on a college sports team, a student’s chances are profoundly affected by their parents’ wealth and education. Even college sports recruitment favors white suburban athletes. Those two findings come from our collective research as sport sociology and education scholars. As former college athletes, we have lived and studied what it takes to become a […] … learn more→

New NCAA endorsement rules could benefit women more than men

New NCAA endorsement rules could benefit women more than men

Only one week after the NCAA changed its endorsement rules on July 1, 2021, women college athletes found themselves on billboards in Times Square in New York, launching a clothing line collaboration and signing sponsorship deals for brands including a wireless carrier and a fast-food chain. Women college athletes have historically been far more limited in their ability to profit off their athletic skills compared to their male […] … learn more→

New endorsement laws could create pitfalls for college athletes

New endorsement laws could create pitfalls for college athletes

Now that the Supreme Court has ruled that student-athletes are able to earn money from their name, image and likeness, more than a dozen states have enacted laws to govern the practice. These states include Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For example, the name, image and likeness law in Illinois defines what compensation can be for and the role that colleges can […] … learn more→