Sports HistorySports History

Scope and DescriptionScope and Description

Almost all sports have their roots in Almost all sports have their roots in Europe.Europe.

The history of sports in America is The history of sports in America is about how sports came here from other about how sports came here from other countries as well as how these sports countries as well as how these sports grew and developed.grew and developed.

American sports historians study the American sports historians study the organization and administration of organization and administration of athletic programs from community athletic programs from community recreation to school and collegiate recreation to school and collegiate levels to professional leagues.levels to professional leagues.

Ancient HistoryAncient History Prehistoric to Fourth Century B.CPrehistoric to Fourth Century B.C

History of sports begins with the funeral games of History of sports begins with the funeral games of ancient times.ancient times.

Greek games Greek games The early Greeks practiced track and field; wrestling; The early Greeks practiced track and field; wrestling;

boxing; chariot racing, the precursor to horse racing and boxing; chariot racing, the precursor to horse racing and modern auto racing and pankration, the first version of modern auto racing and pankration, the first version of today's ultimate fighting.today's ultimate fighting.

Roman spectator sportsRoman spectator sports Roman citizens entertained with their prison captives in Roman citizens entertained with their prison captives in

life-threatening gladiatorial combats and mock naval life-threatening gladiatorial combats and mock naval battles in the flooded Coliseum. battles in the flooded Coliseum.

Ancient HistoryAncient History

Periods when sports were outlawed or Periods when sports were outlawed or otherwise rejected by the masses are also a otherwise rejected by the masses are also a part of sports history.part of sports history. During the fifth through ninth centuries sports fell During the fifth through ninth centuries sports fell

into disfavor with the rise of Christianity.into disfavor with the rise of Christianity. Christians disfavored sports because athletes often Christians disfavored sports because athletes often

participated in the nude and glorified the “sinful” body.participated in the nude and glorified the “sinful” body.

Later Middle Ages and the Later Middle Ages and the RenaissanceRenaissance

After sports near demise during the middle After sports near demise during the middle ages, military brought it back into societies ages, military brought it back into societies good graces.good graces. The Knights in the chivalric period used sports to The Knights in the chivalric period used sports to

prepare for war.prepare for war. They learned fencing, boxing, archery, swimming, They learned fencing, boxing, archery, swimming,

horsemanship, gymnastics, and other sports in their horsemanship, gymnastics, and other sports in their quest to become good soldiers.quest to become good soldiers.

Colonial America: 1607-1776Colonial America: 1607-1776

Animal sports of cockfighting, bear baiting, gander Animal sports of cockfighting, bear baiting, gander pulling, and rat killing became common activities of pulling, and rat killing became common activities of colonial America.colonial America.

In the south horseracing, hunting, fishing, and In the south horseracing, hunting, fishing, and boxing became popular.boxing became popular. Boxing was practiced on southern plantations where Boxing was practiced on southern plantations where

landowners pitted slaves against each other in the ring.landowners pitted slaves against each other in the ring. In 1875 14 of 15 jockeys in the Kentucky Derby were In 1875 14 of 15 jockeys in the Kentucky Derby were

black.black. Once money, recognition, and status became associated Once money, recognition, and status became associated

with winning black boxers and jockeys were replaced with with winning black boxers and jockeys were replaced with white fighters and riders.white fighters and riders.

Beginning of Organized Sports in Beginning of Organized Sports in America.America.

The history of organized sport in the U.S. begins with The history of organized sport in the U.S. begins with the New York Knickerbockers in the 1840s.the New York Knickerbockers in the 1840s. Knickerbockers were a social club composed of Knickerbockers were a social club composed of

professional men that had to be voted in by members.professional men that had to be voted in by members. This club formed the fist known baseball club.This club formed the fist known baseball club. When competition and winning became more important to When competition and winning became more important to

the Knickerbockers than social status, membership rules the Knickerbockers than social status, membership rules changed to allow low working class ballplayers free changed to allow low working class ballplayers free membership.membership.

The importance of producing winners is obvious from the The importance of producing winners is obvious from the earliest accounts of sporting practices.earliest accounts of sporting practices.

Collegiate Sports Collegiate Sports

History of collegiate sports in America can be History of collegiate sports in America can be traced from Native Americans, who engaged traced from Native Americans, who engaged in perhaps the first team sport on the continent, in perhaps the first team sport on the continent, lacrosse.lacrosse.

The earliest sporting practices in Colleges in The earliest sporting practices in Colleges in the U.S. were most influenced by British the U.S. were most influenced by British sporting practices.sporting practices.

Sports were first played as class competitions Sports were first played as class competitions and were much like today's intramural sports and were much like today's intramural sports programs in Colleges. programs in Colleges.

Collegiate Sports Collegiate Sports In 1852 intercollegiate sports began with a In 1852 intercollegiate sports began with a

rowing contest between Harvard and Yale.rowing contest between Harvard and Yale. From the 1870s through the end of the From the 1870s through the end of the

century, men’s collegiate sports continued to century, men’s collegiate sports continued to expand on college campuses but their was no expand on college campuses but their was no administrative control. administrative control.

As a result, in 1906 the National Collegiate As a result, in 1906 the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was founded.Athletic Association (NCAA) was founded.

The NCAA played a role in bringing fledgling The NCAA played a role in bringing fledgling athletics into the physical education fold athletics into the physical education fold through its recommendation for coaches to be through its recommendation for coaches to be regular educators in the institution. regular educators in the institution. This had an important effect on the field of This had an important effect on the field of

physical education.physical education. Amos Alonzo Stagg became the first coach-Amos Alonzo Stagg became the first coach-

physical educator when he was hired for both physical educator when he was hired for both positions in 1892 by the University of Chicago.positions in 1892 by the University of Chicago.

The Rise of Women and SPortThe Rise of Women and SPort The emergence and growth of women's sports was quite The emergence and growth of women's sports was quite

different from that of males due to society being less different from that of males due to society being less accepting of women athletes.accepting of women athletes.

In the mid-nineteenth century, sports outside the collegiate In the mid-nineteenth century, sports outside the collegiate world for upper-class women consisted of proper activities, world for upper-class women consisted of proper activities, such as croquet, archery, and tennis. such as croquet, archery, and tennis.

Women’s sports were acceptable to society only if they were Women’s sports were acceptable to society only if they were considered social affairs, promoted health, were considered social affairs, promoted health, were noncompetitive, and were not strenuous to require a uniform.noncompetitive, and were not strenuous to require a uniform.

From the mid- 1860s, college women were From the mid- 1860s, college women were instructed by physical educators in such instructed by physical educators in such sports as bowling, boating, ice skating, sports as bowling, boating, ice skating, archery, swimming, and horseback riding.archery, swimming, and horseback riding.

By the 1890s college women were playing By the 1890s college women were playing class competitions in tennis, baseball, golf, class competitions in tennis, baseball, golf, track and field, field hockey, volleyball, and track and field, field hockey, volleyball, and basketballbasketball

Basketball became the first intense game that Basketball became the first intense game that women played, and it quickly became popular women played, and it quickly became popular and controversial.and controversial.

The two women most prominent in the growth and The two women most prominent in the growth and development of women’s basketball were Senda development of women’s basketball were Senda Bernson of Smith college and Clara G. Baer of Bernson of Smith college and Clara G. Baer of Sophie Newcomb College.Sophie Newcomb College. These women were generally responsible for the rules of These women were generally responsible for the rules of

the game and did much to promote acceptance of the game.the game and did much to promote acceptance of the game.

The beginning of intercollegiate sports for women The beginning of intercollegiate sports for women began in 1896 when University of California played began in 1896 when University of California played Stanford and University of Washington played Stanford and University of Washington played Ellensburg Normal School.Ellensburg Normal School.

Educators were the leading opponents of Educators were the leading opponents of intercollegiate sports and fought the notion of women intercollegiate sports and fought the notion of women copying the highly competitive programs.copying the highly competitive programs.

Women’s sports were born and raised through Women’s sports were born and raised through the matriarchal hands of women physical the matriarchal hands of women physical educators whose objective was to promote educators whose objective was to promote recreational sports for all girls while recreational sports for all girls while prohibiting highly competitive sport for any.prohibiting highly competitive sport for any.

Women formed their first intercollegiate Women formed their first intercollegiate association in 1971, the Association for association in 1971, the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW)Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) However 10 years later it was dismantled due to However 10 years later it was dismantled due to

Women’s membership in the NCAA.Women’s membership in the NCAA.

Professional SportsProfessional Sports

The earliest signs of professional sports in the The earliest signs of professional sports in the U.S. was the baseball players of the mid-U.S. was the baseball players of the mid-nineteenth century who charged gate receipts nineteenth century who charged gate receipts to spectators and then dividing the money to spectators and then dividing the money among themselves.among themselves.

Baseball and boxing were the front runners in Baseball and boxing were the front runners in organized professional sports in the U.S.organized professional sports in the U.S.

Boxing matches between slaves became Boxing matches between slaves became popular in the colonial period as entertainment popular in the colonial period as entertainment for white landowners.for white landowners.

White fighters soon took over when money was White fighters soon took over when money was to be made.to be made. African Americans were denied access to the African Americans were denied access to the

heavyweight division until Jack Johnson got a heavyweight division until Jack Johnson got a match with Champ Tommy Burns and won easily to match with Champ Tommy Burns and won easily to become the first Black Champion in 1908.become the first Black Champion in 1908.

Baseball became the first professional team Baseball became the first professional team sport.sport. The first recognized baseball team was the The first recognized baseball team was the

Cincinnati Red Stockings of 1869.Cincinnati Red Stockings of 1869. Because of the Jim Crow laws, black and white Because of the Jim Crow laws, black and white

players were not able to play on the same team.players were not able to play on the same team. As a result, African American formed their own As a result, African American formed their own

league in the 1880s. league in the 1880s. Negro leagues were very popular by the 1920s. Negro leagues were very popular by the 1920s.

By the 1930s baseball had the National and By the 1930s baseball had the National and American Leagues.American Leagues.

Since baseball was racist like most of society, Since baseball was racist like most of society, the National and American Leagues were the National and American Leagues were made up of only white players from 1897 until made up of only white players from 1897 until 1947.1947. In 1947 Jackie Robinson was brought into the In 1947 Jackie Robinson was brought into the

Dodgers’ organization.Dodgers’ organization. This brought on a major change of integration This brought on a major change of integration

throughout both leagues. throughout both leagues. Once pro baseball was integrated, the only major Once pro baseball was integrated, the only major

changes in the sport was the creation of its changes in the sport was the creation of its divisions and the playoff wildcard.divisions and the playoff wildcard.

Football was the next sport to move into the Football was the next sport to move into the professional arena.professional arena.

The first all-professional teams were Canton The first all-professional teams were Canton and Massillion of Ohio in 1902.and Massillion of Ohio in 1902. These early pro teams were backed by These early pro teams were backed by

independently wealthy men but had no independently wealthy men but had no organization and corruption was commonplace.organization and corruption was commonplace.

In 1920 the American Professional Football In 1920 the American Professional Football Association (APFA) was formed by “Papa Association (APFA) was formed by “Papa Bear” George Halas. Bear” George Halas.

The APFA adopted two principles in an effort The APFA adopted two principles in an effort to appease college dissatisfaction with football to appease college dissatisfaction with football going pro.going pro. The first was they agreed to keep their hands off The first was they agreed to keep their hands off

players until their colleges eligibility expired.players until their colleges eligibility expired. The second was and agreement that teams would The second was and agreement that teams would

not steal other team’s players so fans could not steal other team’s players so fans could recognize the players each week.recognize the players each week.

The first principle was upheld until 1983 when the The first principle was upheld until 1983 when the USFL broke the unwritten rule by drafting Hershel USFL broke the unwritten rule by drafting Hershel Walker from the University of Georgia.Walker from the University of Georgia.

The second principle was violated with great The second principle was violated with great frequency, as a result in 1922 the APFA changed frequency, as a result in 1922 the APFA changed its title to the NFL and the league rules were its title to the NFL and the league rules were enforced more strictly. enforced more strictly.

Pro basketball for white males began in the Pro basketball for white males began in the 1890s, the same decade in which the sport was 1890s, the same decade in which the sport was invented by James Naismith at Springfield invented by James Naismith at Springfield College.College.

There was little organization until the National There was little organization until the National Basketball League was formed in 1898.Basketball League was formed in 1898. After 5 years this league folded and another was After 5 years this league folded and another was

not organized until 1925. This league was also not organized until 1925. This league was also short-lived.short-lived.

In 1949 stability was finally achieved with the In 1949 stability was finally achieved with the merging of the NBL, which was formed again in merging of the NBL, which was formed again in 1937, with the Basketball Association of America 1937, with the Basketball Association of America to become the NBA. to become the NBA.

Prejudice and Prejudice and DiscriminationDiscrimination

As America grew to be a nation of different cultures prejudice and discrimination was inanimate.

African Americans have been discriminated against in sporting arenas since the colonial period.

- First recognized as outstanding boxers and horse racers

- Due to Jim Crow laws their success was kept from the dominant society

Women too, were discriminated against in the sport world

- Before the twentieth century a women’s place was thought to be in the home.

- Even after women were allowed to play in sporting events strict rules were set out to so call “keep our femininity”.

Prejudice and Discrimination Cont.Prejudice and Discrimination Cont.

Lower-class white Americans also felt the hurt from prejudiceLower-class white Americans also felt the hurt from prejudice

- They could not partake in many sporting events - They could not partake in many sporting events because of their 12 hr a day, six days a week work because of their 12 hr a day, six days a week work schedule schedule

Some religious groups were unable to make time for sports Some religious groups were unable to make time for sports having rules against sports on Sundayshaving rules against sports on Sundays

Breaking the color BarrierBreaking the color Barrier

In 1947 Jackie Robinson was brought into the National In 1947 Jackie Robinson was brought into the National League playing for the Dodgers. League playing for the Dodgers.

Baseball was no longer seen as having only white teams or Baseball was no longer seen as having only white teams or only black teamsonly black teams

- Robinson had opened the doors to other African - Robinson had opened the doors to other African Americans, Cubans, Hispanics, Chicanos, and Americans, Cubans, Hispanics, Chicanos, and other other non-white groupsnon-white groups

There is evidence that sporting opportunities are greater for all There is evidence that sporting opportunities are greater for all groups today than any other time in United States history.groups today than any other time in United States history.