Cover; Half Title; Title Page; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; Preface; Acknowledgements; Introduction: Athletes' Journey in Organized Sports; Historical Events in the Development of Organized Sports; The Structure of Organized Sports Programs; Conclusion; Summary; Class Discussion Issues; 1 In the Beginning: Is It Enough Just to Have Fun?; The Growth of Young Children's Sports Programs; The Terrain for Children's Organized Sports; Young Athletes' Sports-Related Struggles; Conclusion; Summary; Class Discussion Issues; 2 Teens in Triumph and Turmoil: Adolescents' Organized Sports
Teen Sports: Historical Growth of High-School PlayAdolescents' Efforts to Advance in Organized Sports; Conclusion; Summary; Class Discussion Issues; 3 One Level Down: College and Minor-League Sports Programs; The Organizational Growth of College Sports and the Minor Leagues; The Kingpins: Big-Time Football and Basketball; Other Elite Programs in College Sports; College or the Minor Leagues?; A Special Case; Conclusion: A Pair of Issues about College Athletes' Just Treatment; Summary; Class Discussion Issues; 4 Scaling the Heights: Players in the Four Major Leagues
The Historical Growth of the Top Professional LeaguesDistinctive Careers by the Numbers; The Big Leagues: Taking on the Challenge; Conclusion: What Happens in Pro Sports Seldom Stays in Pro Sports; Summary; Class Discussion Issues; 5 Without Fame and Fortune: Pro Team Sports at the Margins; The History of the Niche Leagues; Growing Pains for the Niche Sports; Conclusion; Summary; Class Discussion Issues; 6 Stars Who Weren'T Supposed to Make It; Reasons Why Some Prospects are Excluded, at Least Temporarily
Coaches' Tactics in Singling Out Some Prospects Who Were Initially Overlooked or Nearly SoConclusion; Summary; Class Discussion Issues; 7 A New Playbook: the Challenge of Retirement from Professional Sports; Players' Adjustment to Post-Retirement Challenges; Successful Post-Career Employment; Ex-Pros Still Linked Directly to the Game; Conclusion: A Preliminary Look at College Athletes' Retirement; Summary; Class Discussion Issues; Sociological Concepts and Ideas; Index
