Promotions - Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles 2020 -

Barnes (Univ. of New Mexico) examines in detail the controversial issues, standard practices, and future outlook of the multi-million-dollar US collegiate sports industry. In his quest to answer this question: "Who is in power, and how will they benefit from commercial college athletics as they exist today?" Barnes is neither hypercritical nor does he offer partisan suggestions for change. Rather, from the historical perspective to the realities of contemporary collegiate athletic programs, he presents an objective overview of collegiate sports, a useful reference guide and resource. For anyone involved in or contemplating a leadership role in intercollegiate athletic decision-making, the chapters provide essential information about items such as the impact of Title IX (equal opportunity) requirements, television contracts, use of standardized tests as potentially introducing racial bias, and the role of commercial investing, all with potential impact on current and future collegiate athletic programming. Barnes also addresses the relationship between intramural athletics, individual students' collegiate academic experience, and the economic and social significance of this activity as one of the top big businesses in the US. The extensive bibliography completes the book. Although oriented toward readers personally involved in intercollegiate athletic administration and leadership, anyone with an interest in collegiate sports will find this book of interest.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates. Faculty and professionals.