Coffee & Conversation: Time to End the Love Affair with Sports

Don’t we just adore sports?  Is it time for a break-up?

In my next life, give me a chance to be a professional athlete – huge investments from the society and little to no accountability to the public.  Okay, if I’m not an athlete, I’ll take a coaching spot or a shot at team ownership.

I’ll admit, I want every athlete – professional, college, club, league, recreation, and weekend – to be like Kareem: stunning substance; smart; entertaining; talented; aware; and, proud of his intelligence.  Wipe me off the floor when Kareem is around, but I’m tired of my love affair with sports.

We love sports but it pays us back by coarsening us.  It filches our cash and just leaves us a kiss on the cheek while we sleep.  Immoral to spend the cash and resources? Do men care about this more? Should student athletes exist? Do salaries and payment alter the character of games? Do sports provide our sense of community?  Is sport on the decline?  Does it matter if it is?

Today, let’s talk about sports.  What are they for? Why do we care? Change of venue this week – instead of the Howard Thurman Center, let’s chat at the Band Room – 278 Babcock Street.  And because this is a sports conversation, how about a little snack – I’ll bring the coffee and cookies with a little Canes added in.  See you from 3-5 p.m. with your best game.

Peace.

I’ll also bring a few tickets to the game this afternoon – the Terrier women’s basketball team hosts Boston College at Case Gymnasium at 5 p.m.

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