Renowned Journalists Gather at MSU to Discuss Sports in America

Top sports journalists will speak at Montclair State University in a series of panel discussions titled "Sports in America: A Humanities Perspective."

Jeremy Schaap of ESPN, Harvey Araton of The New York Times, Jerry Izenberg of the Newark Star-Ledger, Jonathan Alter of Newsweek and other experts will engage with New Jersey high school and college students and the general public in discussions on the issue of sports in our culture from three humanities perspectives: writing, culture studies/film and ethics.

The events, co-sponsored by The Institute for the Humanities at Montclair State University and The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center, on the MSU campus, and supported by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, will take place at the museum.

"Sports and Journalism" took place on Thursday, September 28, "Sports and American Culture" will be held on Thursday, October 26 and "Sports and Ethics" on Thursday, November 30, each from 9-11:30 a.m. Each session will include a question-and-answer period and a tour of the Museum.

"Sports are vital to our culture," said Rita Jacobs, the project’s director and professor of English and journalism. "Millions of people watch and attend sporting events and idolize sports figures, and yet there is little impetus to go beyond the events themselves to understand the larger impact and effect on those of us who are watching or reading about sports.

"This series of programs is intended to provoke critical thought and understanding and encourage dialogue about a very important, and often unexamined, part of our lives."

David Kaplan, director of the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center, said, "These programs features some of the most renowned professionals in the business. Our mission, really, is to use sports as a prism to understand a wider world of social issues."

"Sports reflect society. As time goes on, sports, like life, have become complicated, but they continue to touch our hearts and inspire us. They’re embedded in our lives and part of America’s psyche."