Sports in Higher Education: Issues and Controversies in College Athletics

Sports in Higher Education: Issues and Controversies in College Athletics provides students with a comprehensive foundation in the study of college sports. While college sports scandals have dominated the news recently, these scandals are offset by fan interest, increasing revenue streams, extensive television coverage, and alumni interest and support. This text informs readers about college sports as a critical aspect of the university education system, with material written by experts in their respective areas in sport management and the sociology of sport.

Featuring up-to-date facts, figures, and events, the nine chapters of the book address issues such as the history and governance of college sports; the student athlete experience; gender; deviance; race and ethnicity; and coaching, administration, and reform. The comprehensive readings in Sports in Higher Education explore topics such as crime and violence in intercollegiate sports and sport reform. The goal of the material is not only to inform and educate, but to stimulate dialogue about college sports, and move understanding of this topic beyond box scores and championships, to encompass ethics, philosophy, sociology, and the education of the student-athlete as a whole person.

Sports in Higher Education is the first comprehensive textbook of its kind, and is ideal for classes on American college sports at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Dr. Gary Sailes is an award-winning associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and adjunct professor in the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies at Indiana University. He holds a Ph.D. in kinesiology from the University of Minnesota and an M.S. in kinesiology from Mankato State University. A sport sociologist, Dr. Sailes has authored nine books, over 100 articles, and has appeared on national and international television including BBC, CBC, ESPN, NBC, CSPAN, Tennis Channel, and various cable networks. His work on race, sport, and college athletics has led to national and international speaking invitations, two Congressional hearings on Capitol Hill, and the International Olympic Congress in Tokyo. Dr. Sailes is a player development consultant to college and professional athletes with clients in the NCAA, NBA, NFL, MLB, and professional golf and tennis.