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College Sports American colleges and universities have two main purposes. First, they are bastions of knowledge, dedicated to the training and enlightenment of young people as they pass through late adolescence into adulthood. Second, they organize and maintain many different athletic teams so that older people -- who have already passed through late adolescence into adulthood -- can enjoy themselves vicariously by watching the exploits of young athletes. Web:
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High School Sports I grew up in Canada and, when I was a kid, high school sports weren't that big a deal. To be sure, my school had athletic teams, but people didn't care about them all that much. In my four years of high school, I remember going to only one football game, and that involved standing at the side of a field. (There was no stadium or even seats for spectators.) When I moved to the United States, I saw that things were a lot different. In the U.S., high school sports are a big deal, not only for the students, but for parents and teachers. I think it is because American culture prizes individualism and, thus, pushes kids to be competitive even as they are growing up. If you want to see the results, compare how the Canada and the U.S. act, as countries, within the international community. Web:
Olympics In ancient Greece, the Olympic Games was held as part of a religious festival in honor of Zeus, the father of the Greek gods. The competitions took place in Olympia, a town in southwest Greece. The first modern Olympics took place in 1896 in Athens. Today, there are two sets of Olympic games, one for summer sports and one for winter sports, each of which is held every four years. The 2000 Summer Olympics was held in Sydney, Australia, while future Summer Games will be in Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008). The Winter Games is held two years after the Summer Games. The 2002 Winter Games were in Salt Lake City, United States; the 2006 Winter Games will be in Torino, Italy. I have been to two different Olympic Games (1976 in Montreal, and 1984 in Los Angeles), and I can tell you the experience is wonderful. If you ever have a chance to go, you should do so. You will come away with a real sense of being a citizen of the world. Web:
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Sports History If you are a sports fan, you'll get a lot more out of watching and analyzing a game if you understand the historical context of the sport. Moreover, when an athlete does especially well, you can appreciate his performance better if you have a sense of perspective. My suggestion is to take some time to study the history and heroes of your favorite sport. You'll be surprised how a bit of background can enhance your enjoyment of the game. Web:
Sports Humor If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. If they won't let you join 'em, laugh at 'em. Web:
Sports News It's one thing to play a sport. It's another to watch sports on television. But clearly that's not enough. What do you do to fill in the time when you can't get outside and there is nothing on TV? You use the Net to keep up on sporting news, of course. Here are Web sites that will give you all the sports information you need (with enough left over in case you have to entertain unexpected company). Remember, whether you are after the latest scores, schedules or just plain gossip, the Net is there for you. Web:
Sports Psychology "Mind over matter." "No pain, no gain." You've heard all the motivational clichés designed to inspire you to push that out-of-shape body of yours up the hill, down the hill, and over the finish line. Examine the brain behind the body by participating in the discussion of exercise and sports psychology.
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Sports Resources There are many sports and many athletes in the world, and the Net can help you find the information you need when you need it. Whether you are looking for an up-to-the-minute sports score, inside information on your favorite team or the location of the nearest Korfball tournament, one of these Web sites will have what you need. For those extra moments when you're not watching or playing, why not join the discussion on Usenet? Web:
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Sports Rules There are a lot of rules in the world, and when the time comes when you need to find one, you'll be glad you have the Net. Spend a bit of time here and you are bound to impress your friends and loved ones. For example, say you are watching a basketball game, and a player accidentally throws the ball into his own basket. Wouldn't it be great to be the person who is able to explain that credit for the score will go to the opposing player who was closest to the player who shot the ball? Web:
Sports Schedules If the only reason you have been buying TV Guide is to look up when your favorite sporting event is on, now you can save all that money and avoid recycling at the same time. This Web site will let you check schedules for various sporting events or create your own viewing schedules for professional football, hockey, basketball and baseball events, and more. Web:
Sports Terminology If you spend a lot of time hanging around people who like to talk about sports, you are bound to encounter words that are new to you. For example,let's say you are in a meeting of the U.S.National Security Council, listening to a long presentation by the Secretary of State. The President of the United States leans over, puts his hand over his mouth, and whispers to you, "This is really boring. What a dead fish this guy's report is. Why don't I chop it right now, then you can alley-oop it and we can go out for a couple of burgers?" In such a situation, it would be crucial to know that the President is using terminology from three different sports. Otherwise, you risk looking like a clueless goober and, the next time there is a meeting, they'll make you get the coffee. (Just so you know, in baseball, a dead fish is a very slow pitch; in table-tennis, a chop is a sharp downward stroke that creates a lot of backspin; and in basketball, an alley-oop is a pass thrown near the basket in such a way that a teammate can jump up, catch the ball and score in a single motion.) Web:
Women's Sports Here are resources for all sorts of women's sports, teams and sports clubs: baseball, skating, volleyball, gymnastics, basketball, golf, bicycling, and many others. If you are already an athlete, you'll find lots of information about your favorite sport. If you are just starting to become active, the Net can help you find events in your area. I have also included a Web site that will keep you up to date on women's sports-related news. Web:
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