Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Daily Circuit Blog
Meggan Ellingboe

Can sports make a difference?

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

I don't consider myself to be a sports fanatic or a particularly die-hard fan of a team, but I'm probably like many Americans- I like to root for the underdog, cheer for my home team(s) and perhaps get into the NCAA tourney and attend a Super Bowl party. The closest to die hard I've ever been was having student season tickets for Gopher hockey (back when they last won the Frozen Four). Otherwise, I'm the sports fan who likes to participate in and cheer for the less glamorous sports. So can you guess where my attention will be in a few weeks? Yep, I'll be the employee who comes in with the Olympic hangover each morning.

Taking in all the sporting news this year from horrific (think Penn State), to the local (Vikings stadium), to the good (Title IX's 40th anniversary), I couldn't help think that discussing sports' connective role in our culture for better or worse is worthy of discussion. Through sports we see human triumphs, find friends in new cities, see barriers broken, hear stories of countries we might not otherwise learn about and are forced to examine of our collective values. We are thus forced to look at sports' role through that political or policy lens.

In talking to guest our Dave Zirin, it's incredible to note that the London games will cost up to 24 billion pounds. How will that debt be paid? Will this exacerbate England's ability to play a role in calming the European economic crisis? Zirin also recalled how part of Greek's debt problems and the L.A. race riots stem from the two cities preparing to host the Olympics. While we all go even more mad for football/soccer, and use it as the sport that exemplifies Title IX's success, it's interesting to note that Title IX is not exactly bridging the gaps in diversity gaps when it comes to race and class. Maybe during this year's anniversary, we ask how Title IX can be improved to truly provide participation opportunities for all girls.

This panel sparked my interest to better understand sports' hold on us as humans and community members. So think about it, sports fan or not, do you think sports can make a difference?

--Meggan Ellingboe, assistant producer