Problem
• The Influence of Sports
o How have sports changed society? How have sports changed over the past 50 years? How have sports changed America over the last 100 years? How have sports influenced politics? Religion?
• Sports Ethics
o Define sports ethics. What other ethical considerations do sports present? How should ethical decisions be applied in professional sports? Amateur sports?
• Sports violence
o What can be done to stem the tide of violence in sports? How should violence against spectators be dealt with on the professional level? Should fans be banned from further events? How would a league or team enforce such a ruling?
• Race and Sports
o Should professional teams take action against the use of Native American mascots such as that taken by the NCAA? How would the league or commissioner enforce such a ban?
• Professional Sports
o The ball hit by Mark McGwire to break Roger Maris's long-standing single-season home run record of 61 sold for $3.2 million. How does the reputation of the player who hit the ball affect its selling price? Eddie Murray's 500th home run ball was auctioned for $500,000 (Schoenfield, 2007). Why do baseball fans value such items to such a large extent?
• Amateur Sports
o The recruiting practices of high school basketball are examined in the movie Hoop Dreams. The film can be viewed as a documentary and a comment on winning at all costs at the high school level. After viewing the film, consider what effects recruiting practices have on student-athletes. What ethical considerations are present for coaches in such situations? William Gates, one of the high school basketball players who was depicted in the movie, aptly stated: "People always say to me, 'When you get to the NBA, don't forget about me.' Well, I should've said back, 'If I don't make it to the NBA, don't forget about me".