Thursday, December 19, 2013

Guard The Post: Nelson Mandela: Sport Can Change The World

 
Now that we are two weeks since the passing of Nelson Mandela, and we are approaching the new year, I think it is an important time to realize how vital Sport is for the furtherance of our culture and society. Nelson, who led beyond the world of sport, spoke so eloquently about its value to our society as a whole and that it really can "change the world".
 
This year, Drexel SMTSU was very lucky to host the first annual Sport For Social Change Conference and through that experience myself and the other officers learned a lot about ourselves and our own view of sport. Whether it is internal or external, the feelings that arise when you come together as a team or cheer on your favorite team is like nothing in the world.

Sport has an amazing way of bringing people together; breaking down boundaries placed upon and between groups of people by society and "norms".  Nelson fought for years for the freedom and equality of all South Africans and did it through many mediums and vehicles, sport being one.

 
Take a moment to view the above video, do some research on Nelson Mandela, and do some thinking. Think about how much sport as meant to you this year, in your life, and think about how you can use it in the future, personally and professionally, to help others.

---

Kevin Murray is a Pre-Junior Sport Management Major at Drexel University, originally from Havertown, PA. He worked in the Drexel Sport Management Department as a Research Assistant focusing on the Penn State scandal, equity in collegiate sports, and Title IX.  He completed his first co-op last spring with Drexel Athletics External Relations Department, where he still works part-time. He is currently a Resident Assistant in University Crossings, a member of the Undergraduate Student Government Association, and Vice President of SMTSU.  You can follow Kevin on Twitter @kevinj_murray.

Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn.

No comments:

Post a Comment