Research Paper: Stadiums, Leagues, and Professionalism

The Sanity Code

The Sanity Code refers to the regulations adopted by the NCAA in 1948 to regulate the provision of financial aid to student-athletes. Essentially, the code allowed schools to provide full athlete sponsorships (Davies, 2017). However, this was on the condition that the student-athletes had to demonstrate that they were needed: Research Paper: Stadiums, Leagues, and Professionalism.

Further, student-athletes had to meet standard academic qualifications. Under the Sanity Code, the students could work legitimate jobs to cover their living expenses. To implement the Sanity Code, the NCAA formulated an enforcement committee to impose sanctions and investigate any reported violations.

It is important to note that even though the Sanity Code was approved by the NCAA, it was not successful. Notably, this is so because it failed almost immediately. Many schools objected to the code, claiming that it was unfair to students who could not qualify for traditional academic sponsorships (Leviticus 19:15, New King James Version).

NCAA attempted to expel seven schools for violating the code, but this did not happen as the decision was not supported by a two-thirds majority (Smith, 2024). As a result, the Sanity Code collapsed. Over time, the NCAA shifted its policies based on the lessons learned from the Sanity Code’s failure. For example, the NCAA permitted athletic scholarships regardless of financial needs in 1952, which made an initial step toward the commercialization of college sports.

Comparing and Contrasting the Different Eras of Stadium Construction

Stadium development experienced three stages in its history. The early 20th century stadium construction period lasted between 1900 and 1950s. During this historical period, stadium architecture is commonly referred to as classic. During the multi-purpose era, venues were constructed and used between the 1960s and 1980s.

The modern era, which began in the 1990s and continues up to the present day, represents the final stadium-building phase (Davies, 2017). During the classic/early 20th century, team owners funded stadium construction with their private money. The stadiums from that era found their homes near public transport options located within inner-city neighborhood districts.

Stadiums of this period showed design characteristics featuring small dimensions with non-symmetrical ballpark dimensions. Two major stadiums that represent this era are Wrigley Field in Chicago alongside Fenway Park in Boston.

The multi-purpose era that cuts across the 1960s to 1980s is composed of stadiums financed by tax-payer money. Notably, this indicates that the stadiums were financed publicly, unlike the modern ear stadiums. Regarding location, multi-purpose era stadiums were in suburban areas with freeway access. The stadiums were large and circular in design.

An example of a multi-purpose-era stadium would be Shea Stadium in New York, which was designed for football and baseball (Bradbury et al., 2024). In the last era, stadiums were financed by a mixture of public and private funds.

Notably, this mixture is achieved through tax incentives given to private contractors. The stadiums are in downtown districts for economic revitalization. Their design is based on fan preferences, whereby they entail luxury suits and advanced technology. An example is the Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Assessment of the Contribution and Impacts of Competing Leagues

The American Football League (AFL), American Basketball Association (ABA), and the United States Football League (USFL) have major impacts on shaping the established sporting organization. Foremost, AFL introduced rivalry against the NFL. The league introduced player salaries, televised games, and flashy offenses. As a result, it forced a merger with the NFL in 1970 and produced the current Super Bowl consequently (Davies, 2017).

The ABA impacted the sporting arena by introducing the three-point short, fast-paced play, and Slam-dunk contests. The ABA merged with the NBA in 1976, and since then, many stars have managed to rise into the mainstream. The USFL produced a challenge to the NFL by signing college underclassmen such as Herschel Walker during the period between 1983 and 1986.

Further, the USFL attempted a fall season schedule. Unfortunately, USFL failed due to poor financial decisions. Even though it failed, its impacts are still prevalent. For instance, USFL impacted player recruitment (Law & Bloyce, 2019).

It was during USFL that underclassmen started to be recruited, as it made clear that younger players could compete at a high level. Essentially, this resulted in NFL rules change (Bedard & Lawrence, 2021). Overall, there are modern implications that spun from the three discussed leagues.

New rules, such as a faster play clock to speed up the game, have risen. Essentially, this underscores the fact that competition continues to drive innovation in professional sports, as in the case of AFL, ABA, and USFL.

References

Bedard, G., & Lawrence, D. W. (2021). Five-year trends in reported National Football League injuries. Clinical journal of sport medicine, 31(3), 289-294. DOI: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000741

Bradbury, J. C., Coates, D., & Humphreys, B. R. (2024). Public policy toward professional sports stadiums: A review. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 43(3), 899-937.

https://doi.org/10.1002/pam.22534

Davies, R. O. (2017). Sports in American life: A history. (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

Law, G. & Bloyce, D. (2019) ‘Pressure to play?’ A sociological analysis of professional football

managers’ behaviour towards injured players, Soccer & Society 20(3), 387-407, DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2017.1321540

New King James Version. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/ (Original work published 1769).

Smith, R. A. (2024). The NCAA, Concussions, and the Lack of Concern for Athletes. Journal of Sport History, 51(2), 15-32. https://doi.org/10.5406/21558450.51.2.03

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Research Paper Assignment Instructions

Overview

It is important to demonstrate your understanding of sport topics and how they connect to present conditions. Therefore, you will complete 5 Research Paper Assignments based off selected topics from the world of sports.

Instructions

For each paper you will answer the presented questions. Your answers must be comprehensive and be supported with current sport-related examples. Critical thinking must be demonstrated in each answered question.

Write your thoughts out effectively as you complete the reading assignments. Do not answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to any of the questions.

• Each question must be answered with no less than 200–300 words.
  • Each assignment should include a separate title page, the body of your paper and a separate reference page.
• APA (American Psychological Association) Format should be used to complete these assignments.
  • All answers must be compiled in a Word document.
  • Times New Roman, 12- point font, and double spaced throughout.
  • List ALL references, including your scriptural references using current APA mechanics.
• Each question must include references to support your answer.
  • Textbook support should be limited to two or three citations per question.
  • At least 1 reference in addition to the course textbook.
  • A scriptural reference that is related to the topic.
• Acceptable sources include.
  • Scholarly articles published within the last five years.
  • Any Biblical translation.

Note: Each assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

Research Paper: Early Sports Assignment

Please answer three (3) of the four (4) questions.

1. Summarize the arguments used for and against football and early college sports.
2. Compare and contrast Victorian ideals with the modern secularism of the progressive era.
3. Explain the relationship between Muscular Christianity and sports, past and present.
4. Evaluate the role and contributions of organizations such as the YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, New York Athletic Club, and the AAU in the history of American sports?
   

   Research Paper: Stadiums, Leagues, and Professionalism

Research Paper: Women in Early Sports Assignment

Please answer all three (3) questions.

1. Describe the activities of a typical “play day.” How did play days differ from athletic competition?
2. Evaluate the changing views of womanhood and femininity as seen in the life of Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias.
3. What were the “Smith Rules?” Why are they significant in helping us understand gender roles at the turn of the twentieth century?

Research Paper: Reports and Innovations of the Early 1900s Assignment

Please answer all three (3) questions.

1. Describe the impact the Carnegie Commission report of 1920 and the 1951 gambling scandal had on college sports.
2. What was the impact of the career of Tex Rickard upon the structure of American sports?
3. How did organized baseball try to survive during the 1930s? Were these innovations successful?

Research Paper: Television’s Impact of Sports Assignment

Please answer all three (3) questions.

1. How and why did “Friday night fights” and television negatively impact the existing culture of professional boxing?
2. Describe and assess the contributions of Roone Arledge to televised sports.
3. List and discuss three major ways television impacted sports.

Research Paper: Stadiums, Leagues, and Professionalism Assignment

Please answer 3 of the 5 questions listed below.

1. Explain the Sanity Code. Why was it approved by the NCAA national convention?  Was it successful?
2. Compare and contrast the different eras of stadium construction. Be sure to include factors such as financing, location, and design.
3. Assess the contribution and impacts of competing leagues, such as the AFL, ABA, and USFL.
4. Pick one of the following and discuss its development and struggles: NASCAR, NHL, MLS.
5. Outline the changing views towards professionalism in the Olympics from Pierre de Coubertin to the present. How and why have views changed? Who is responsible?