The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, June 22, 1978, Page Page 13, Image 13
Philosophy of sport
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By Paul Osmundson
Gamecock Staff Writer
The controversy surrounding the USC Athletic
Department would be lessened if the university offered
a course to the public on the philosophy of sport,
according to a USC Philosophy professor.
Dr. Philip Zeltner said those who took this course
would "be better informed and prepared to aid in the
resolution of the problems" in the athletic depart
meni.
Zeltner, who recently won the Amoco Outstanding
Teacher Award, offered the course on an experimental
basis during the spring semester. He said
he offered it because of his deep interest in sports.
"What better way to explore it than with students
who felt the way I do?" he said.
The course was divided into three segments. The
areas of definition, meaningfulness and ethics of
sports were evaluated by Zeltner and the class.
UNDER THE DEFINITIONAL ASPECT, Zeltner
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saiu me ciass tried to define some of the terms
associated with sports. He said that although they
couldn't decide on a set definition for all terms, they
did agree that sport was "deliberately cultivated."
He said they discovered that ideology plays a big
role in sports. "Sport is a way of working out
ideological concerns," he said.
The class found there is a high and low culture in
sports through the "meaningful" segment, he said.
Some sports, such as tennis or golf, have a high
culture status, where others have a low one. He said
background, personal history and social class were
some of the factors determining which sport people
participate in.
In the "ethics" segment, the class looked at
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the Gamecock basketball camp. Held all this
>urse teaches
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specific issues in sports including the role of women
in sports, the exploitation of individuals by the sport
system and the effects of nationalism in sport.
FEMALE INVOLVEMENT in sports has grown
because women are accepting new roles in society,
Zeltner said.
For example, he said women are finding that lifting
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attractive, because of better muscular development.
In another area, the class studied the exploitation
of the public by the sports system, Zeltner said.
The belief that a person's character is built on the
sports field is an example. Character can be built
through other activities, including the classroom hp
said.
Zeltner said he believes that many athletes are
more narrow-minded than other people.
Nationalism was another issue covered in the
course, Zeltner said. Nationalism plays too big a part
in sports today.
He said when people watch the Olympics, they are
more concerned with the number of medals their
country has, instead of the individual competition.
Zeltner said he believes he did a good job teaching
the course, to which he credits his students.
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students alone," he said, but rather by the
relationship that exists between them.
"It became one of the most exciting experiences I
have had in a long time," he said of the course.
Zeltner said he would like to see the course offered
on a regular basis, but there are some "conservative"
elements in the university holding back
this type of curriculum.
However, the fact that the course was approved for
the spring semester is encouraging, he said.
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week in the Carolina Coliseum, the camp will
continue next week for kids up to the age of 18.
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USC student Mimi Frantz r
lessons at the Sol Blatt P.E. C
Rose ?
rrom page 12
baseball capital of the world," he
said.
According to Rose, his fans and
teammates are what make
baseball fun for him. He did say
though, that if the Reds decided
they didn't need him anymore, he
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wumu ymy anywnere tney would
let him.
"When you can dress in the same
clubhouse as (Joe) Morgan,
(George) Foster, (Tom) Seaver,
(Johnny) Bench and all the rest,
and play for a guy like Sparky
Anderson, baseball is fun because
you have a chance to win," Rose
said. "There are guys who go into
spring training knowing they have
no chance to make the playoffs. To
them baseball is a job, I play for a
living."
As one of the top hitters in the
game, it might seem logical for
Rose to have a specific theory on
hitting. But he does not.
ACCORDING TO ROSE, to be a
good hitter you have to be
aggressive. Reds hitting coach Ted
Kluszewski taught Rose early in
his career to hit down on the ball
and to get his bat out in front nf
him. Rose thinks a young player
has enough to think about when he
is at the plate than to try and
remember some fancy batting
theory.
"Just hitting the ball is hard
enough," he explained. "But in !
sports, anytime you are super
aggressive, you've got it made."
Rose has been aggressive at *
every position he has played.
During his 15 years in the majors, i
he has been an all-star at four 1
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Center.
different positions. His most recent
move was to third base.
"I was always a pretty good
defensive outfielder, but I'm only
on ?L!-J *
an aucvjume mira Daseman," he
said. "You just have to work. I
probably took more ground balls
last season than any two other
third basemen in the league,
because I had to."
According to Reds coach Russ
Nixon, Rose is eager to pass this
love for hard work on to the
younger players. During spring
training he works with the team's
rookies on baseball's basins
likes young people and he is eager
to help them," the coach said.
"Pete Rose is a great person."
But for Rose the end of a glorious
career is drawing near. At 37, he
has slowed down a nmmio ?
_ _ ,? .. -- vi
and lost a little zip on his throwing
arm. Still, he has no thoughts of
retirement.
"I can't help it when I was bom,"
Rose said. "All I can do is take
care of my body. I don't smoke or
drink or abuse my body and as a
result I'll be able to play a few
more years than other guys my
age."
Much has been said and written
about the spectacular career of
Peter Edward Rose of the Cincinnati
Reds. His manager Sparky
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ruiuvtowi nuwever, sums it up
best. "His records speak for
themselves. He's going to go into
the Hall of Fame five years after
he retires and that's all there is to
it."
When he does retire and is inducted
into the shrine, his plaque
will carry a much more simple
summary. Pete Rose: a complete
ballplayer.