#SMPASocial Final Assignment: School of Small Fish

Let’s face it: not every blog gets to be the biggest fish in the ocean. For every larger blog that dominates the discussion in certain topics, there are thousands of smaller blogs run by individuals. My blog, Tailgate Party of 1, is just one of the thousands of blogs and web pages devoted to covering college football. Especially given the fact that college football is in the middle of its off season, there are very original story lines to write about. As much as I would love to talk about Johnny Manziel or the current unionization efforts underway at Northwestern all day, the fact is that a majority of the other college football blogs are currently writing on the exact same topics. With the NFL Draft a mere two days away, all eyes and fingers will turn to ESPN to write about the proceedings. To some, this school of small fish in a big ocean scenario is frightening and disheartening. For myself, I know that even though I am a small fish, I have my place in the web. By actively participating in a distributed network and allowing other members of the public sphere to contribute to my work, I add to the spreadability of ideas and media across the Internet.

But Casey, you may ask: how can one student make an impact on the spreadability of information and media on the Internet?  The first step in this process is to join in what Henry Jenkins called “the Participatory Culture.” This culture of active participation in media creation has long “occurred just below the radar of the media industry” and is now “more open-ended, less under the control of media producers, and more under the control of media consumers.” Speaking beyond the lingo of academia, the Participatory Culture has allowed normal, every day users and citizens of the Internet to become content creators. For example, throughout my posts, I have attempted to include .gif files into a number of them. Should the file not currently exist, I would be required to create the .gif file myself, therefore turning myself into a content creator. Even the blog posts themselves are content that I, a media consumer, have generated and have the ability to spread. By making myself an active participant, I have only added to the spreadability of ideas and media.

Johnny Football always a fan of some .gif love

Step one down, now moving onto phase two: how my generated content spreads. If I wish to be an active member of the Internet, it isn’t enough to simply create content. I must also share my work. However, in the vast space of the web, one may think that a short post from a small blog would instant vanish, unnoticed and unheard. This is where the work of Yochai Benkler comes in. Benkler believes that there has been a drastic shift over the past century in regards the network architectures and how information is consumed. Before, information was passed along through a centralized network, meaning that one central hub fed distributed information to other hubs, which in turn past it along to other connected hubs. This model is often called the “Hub and Spoke” model and made it very difficult to become a speaker or within this system. However, Benkler believes that with the creation of the Internet, the architecture of the network has drastically shifted, adopting a more decentralized network. Using this architecture, information can more readily pass from hub to hub in multi-directional paths, greatly lowering the cost to become a speaker. In the case of my blog, this networked connection gives me a number of different avenues to send my content through. For example, after uploading my post, my blog is updated on the SMPA Social Tumblr blog list, giving all of the students in the class access to view my recent post. In turn, a number of my classmates may enjoy reading my post and share the link on their Twitter, giving all of their followers access to my blog. The cycle continues as the number of potential viewers accessing my blog grows exponentially, all due to my own personal connections and not a large media distributor. Thanks to a decentralized network, my little blog post can now swim with the larger posts in the web.

Handy-dandy infographic to help explain this blog's decentralized network

Moving onto the final act: what happens once my content has spread. Now that I have created meaningful content and have a means to distribute it, I need people other than myself to interact with it. There isn’t much point to sharing one’s ideas and creations if the only person listen is oneself. The point of sharing these posts is to give others insight and hopefully elicit a reaction on their part. It is in these actions that we discover Richard Butsch and his theories on society as an audience. According to Butsch, a fundamental part of society is how people come together and interact with one another, with different means of participation and interaction resulting in different behavioral classifications. One such classification is what Butsch calls a “Public,” a behavioral group made up of rational, bourgeois individuals willing to participate in meaningful discussion of a common concern. This group of individuals constitutes the rational contributors within the Internet. In the case of my blog, the Public can be found in the comments section. At the end of each post, there is a space for any of the readers to leave a comment on the post. In the case of the comments on my blog, my classmates, rational, sophisticated members of the Public, contributed to the topic of college football in a meaningful way. It is with the help of the Public that the ideas and content that I have created is discussed, shared, and spread across the web.

I chose the nicer comments 

In the end, even my tiny blog on college football, which only draws a few hundred views per month, can make a meaningful impact on the Internet. Sure, it may be a small fish in a large ocean, but when enough small fish come together to form a school, a network if one will, great things can happen.

Sums it up perfectly 

http://imagecache5d.allposters.com/watermarker/61-6148-DGEG100Z.jpg?ch=774&cw=774

The Rules They Are A-Changin'

Change is a necessary part of athletics. Players change equipment or motions to give themselves an edge over the competition. Coaches can their strategy to beat the opponent. General managers change players in an attempt to put the best product on the field as possible. Leagues change the rule of the game to enhance the product for its athletes and fans. This past week, the NCAA made two major changes to the rules of it's athletic programs, changes that will greatly affect the lives of young student-athletes.

This past week, the NCAA voted to changes the rules regarding athlete meals and penalties for drug use, allowing unlimited meals for all Division 1 athletes and reducing the suspension to a half season penalty for positive tests for "non-performance enhancing drugs." Prior to this change in meals, the NCAA regulated all athletes to "3 meals a day or a food stipend." In addition, there were often confusing distinctions between what constituted a meal vs. a snack, such as a bagel with or without cream cheese. Many of these restrictions led to ridiculous sanction scenarios for athletes, such as Oklahoma University self-reporting $5 worth of overeating by some of its players at a banquet. In regards to the drug changes, the NCAA is looking to differentiate penalties for performance enhancing drugs vs. street drugs whose used would not positively affect athlete performance. By reducing the suspension from a full-season to a half season, the NCAA looks to shift its attention to some of the more harmful drugs that affect its product.

A bagel a day keeps the NCAA at bay

In my eyes, this relaxing by the NCAA on some of its more ridiculous and outdated rules displays that the organization is ready to change its image into one more attuned to the needs of its student-athletes. Instead of punishing these young men and women with restrictions and overly harsh penalties, the NCAA now seems to be looking out for the well being and safety of its participants, whether that is by providing them the means to the right nutrition or by putting the focusing on rehabilitation vs. punishment when it comes to drug use. I hope to see more of these changes over the next few years, beyond just drug use and the resulting munchies.

New NCAA sport: Competitive Post Game Eating

It's Springtime for Football

Maybe it is the fact that the weather is finally starting to get better, but it truly feels like Spring in D.C. right now. We can all finally venture out without having to put on about four layers or wonder if it could just randomly snow for no good reason and shut down school (more specifically, cancel SMPA Social for what seems like the 10th time). It's the perfect pick-me-up from a long winter, coming along to revitalize everyone and motivate everyone. It is also the start of a new beginning, a time to rebuild and start a new year off right. The same applies to college football, where Spring practices mark the beginning of a new season and a means for young players to get noticed. One of the best things about these practices, however, is that every once and a while, the coaches and players let loose.

Over the past few weeks, videos of hilarious team wide events have flooded the Internet. From a team wide dance off to a kick return drill featuring linemen and coaches, videos of coaches and players making fools of themselves on the field are a great way to break the tension of a long day of practices. It allows the players to have a good laugh and grow closer to their teammates, while also giving fans a quick glimpse into the lives of some of their favorite players. As many of the Spring training games rapidly approach, it is nice as a fan to see that these young players are not only highly skilled athletes, but truly a family who have an unbreakable bond.

I need that shirt #ttu: Too Turnt Up

What I see as the most important takeaway from these videos: they remind the fans that this is a game. Too often, we become caught up in the intensity of this sport, pushing our teams to be the best, destroying the opponent, and earning bragging rights. We ask young men, some still only children, to carry the burden of the entire university and fans on their backs. We are quick to blame when things don't go as planned, building up the season as the be all, end all for these young men. What we all seem to forget is that football is a game, that it's sole purpose is to entertain. Young children want to play this game because it is fun to run around with their friends on the schoolyard to haul in the winning touchdown during lunch. College players continue to play the game for the same reasons. The fans, the players, and the coaches need to remember to not take this game too seriously and to have fun while they are still able to play.

I love these videos and hope that more show up soon. Only makes me more excited to see how much fun these teams will have each Saturday afternoon.

Hopefully Spring practice is a little more fun for Brutus this year

State of the College Union

Last week, I talked about the NLRB ruling that gave the football players of Northwestern the right to unionize as employees of the university. It is a landmark ruling, one that will challenge the NCAA and it's ever growing revenue streams. Along with the Kessler and O'Bannon cases, the rights of players is the biggest story of the off season.

Two days ago, I had the opportunity to hear Kain Colter speak at the Aspen Institute in D.C. Colter was the Senior Quarterback of the Wildcats this past season and is the leader of the current unionization efforts of the players. During this meeting, he talked about the reasoning behind his decision to unionize. What makes his efforts different that the O'Bannon or Kessler cases is that Colter is not calling for player salaries or marketing rights. Colter's goal is to improve both the physical and mental health of college players, with calls to improve health benefits for athletes as well as improved educational benefits. Part of his goals include having the university pay for sports-related injures rather than have the financial burden fall solely on the young athletes. In addition, Colter hopes to improve the educational resources available to students, citing the recent accusations of UNC athletes as embarrassing for the entire athletic community.

Colter has become the face of the unionization efforts

What struck me most about this meeting was Colter's understanding of the gravity of his decision to move forward with the unionization efforts. He realizes that there will be a long battle with the NCAA over these issues, one that will not be resolved within the next few years. Even in the face of this long uphill battle, he remains confident that he and his fellow players will prevail, helping the athletes of the next generation receive the benefits that they deserve. I, too, believe that they will eventually succeed. The young men are not asking for salaries or marketing rights, but asking to receive benefits for their safety and to have access to a better education, the main reason for going to college. Everyone is entitled to safety and an education. This young men are simply attempting to access those rights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0OoHDjhh-0

Link to a video interview with Kain Colter

A More Perfect Union

In the 1950's, the term "Student-Athlete" was coined by the NCAA. In the public eye, this was a move to promote the value of academia. Behind closed doors, this term was a means of relieving the NCAA of responsibility. This term meant that any college athlete was not an employee of the school, meaning that the schools were free from normal payment practices, workman's compensation for athletes, and the threat of student athlete unionization. For over 60 years, this has been a key staple of the NCAA and a means for the organization to generate billions of dollars in revenue each year.

This week, a major court ruling by the National Labor Relations Board looks to jeopardize the standing of the NCAA. On Wednesday, the NLRB ruled that Northwestern University football players could unionize and collectively bargain with the university. Key topics for discussion would focus on workman's compensation for injured players, according to representatives of the team. This decision goes directly against the loopholes that have allowed the NCAA to blossom in the money making juggernaut that it has become. For now, this ruling only applies to private college teams, meaning that the larger public university, including powerful programs like Alabama and Ohio State, can still ban player unionization. Regardless, it is a landmark ruling and is sure to shake the foundation of the NCAA.

We may be seeing this image more often in the next few years

Like most cases involving the NCAA, this decision comes with a great deal of controversy. The ability for college football players to unionize has consequences that extend well beyond the football field. One controversial aspect of the ruling means that private colleges now have an advantage in terms of recruiting. Should the players choose to unionize, new recruits may be enticed to forgo playing for a traditionally powerful program in favor of the ability to bargain for workman's comp. this is dangerous scenario for these larger public schools and one that could change the landscape of college football. Another controversial aspect of this decision comes in relation to Title IX, which regulates gender equality within the schools. The current ruling only applies to football, which is an all-male sport. Should the football players be given the opportunity to bargain for health care related expenses and larger scholarships, there would be a difference in benefits between male and female athletes, an act which is illegal under Title IX. This may be a large sticking point for many of the schools and could hinder negotiations between the two sides.

This is a landmark ruling, one that has the potential to change the landscape of college football. The Northwestern players have a month to decide whether to unionize, a decision which could open the floodgates. It will be interesting to see what repercussions occur within the next few weeks and will be something that I will be following closely.

A look into the money that flows through NCAA, but not for the players

Dual Threat in Dual Sports

To all the athletes out there: remember the days when you were a jack of all trades? When the words "off season" were not a part of your vocabulary. When you were not the star of one team, but played on multiple teams in multiple sports? Nowadays, athlete specialization is occurring at younger ages, with children as young as the 6th grade beginning to specialize in one sport. According to the study, specialization at such a young age can lead to greater possibilities of injury, stress, and burnout. Young athletes strive to develop elite level skills so quickly that they often neglect the development inherent in participating in a variety of activities and engaging with different personalities. It's a race to be the best, even if it means making sacrifices.

At what age should he give up the diamond to focus on the court?

Does this mean that multi-sport athletes are a dying breed? According to Jameis Winston, this may not be the case. Just months after leading the Florida State Semionles to a BCS National Championship in football, Winston has announced that he plans on playing baseball this spring for the university. For Winston, baseball has always been a love of his and he is not willing to give up on that love quite yet. Playing both outfield and pitching, Winston must not only find time to work on his pitching mechanics, but also work on his throwing motion on the football field during spring practices. Right now, Winston says that be balance has not been too difficult, as he has been able to participate actively in both sports without too much overlap. It definitely helps that head football coach Jimbo Fisher fully supports Winston in his decision to be a dual sport athlete, as long as he keeps his arm healthy. Until he is forced to choose one sport, Winston hopes to continue playing both sports throughout his time as FSU.

Jameis Winston is not the first dual-sport athlete. Sport legends such as Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson, and Michael Jordon have all played professionally in two sports. Hell, even Russell Wilson, just days after winning a Superbowl, reported to Rangers camp to participate in Spring Training. Jameis Winston is just the newest addition to a list a high profile athletes who love playing sports and can't choose just one. Is Winston the best dual sport athlete we have ever seen? I doubt it, especially given his recent outing in an exhibition with the New York Yankees. However, it will certainly be fun to watch a young athlete do what he loves without sacrifice. I applaud Jameis Winston and hope more collegiate athletes follow his lead.

Just hope he brings the right gear to the right practice

Playing Outside D1

There are many iconic images that come to mind when thinking about college football. Thousands of screaming young fans packed shoulder to shoulder, chanting and cheering their team onto victory. A tower stadium, taller and mightier than any of the other buildings on campus. A team full of players who are gifted with the right abilities and characteristic to make them a future player in the NFL. These are the images of big time football. This is what people pay to see, what television networks want to cover, and what people want to write about. But what happens when you take away some of the larger aspects of this style of game? What happens when 100,000 fans turns into 1,000? What happens when the stadium is only slightly larger than a high school field? What happens when the players realistically aren't going to be playing in the NFL? Does the game itself change? These are just a few of the characteristics that make up Division II and III football programs in the NCAA.

Just a little bit smaller than the Coliseum

The sad truth about college football is that size matters. When a team only has 36 scholarships to give out each year (or in the case of Division III, there are no scholarships), it is hard to fill a team with deep talent. Pair that with the fact that the most highly touted athletes are being recruited to play at bigger Division I schools. Many top prospects don't even consider Division II or III schools when looking at schools to attend.  The players that do end up attending Division II or III schools may not be the best athletes, but they have the heart and skill to continue to play the game that they love competitively. Unfortunately, heart and desire don't drive television ratings. Television networks unfortunately aren't interested in producing content around schools where there are only a few hundred fans in the seats. There were a few games televised this past year, yet these are only a handful of games out of thousands played each year. With everyone watching the bigger programs with the better players, it is hard for the players on Division II and III teams to get noticed by fans and scouts. 

So, what happens to these players after college? Chances are that they will not be drafted by an NFL team in the months leading up to graduation, yet many of them still want to play football competitively. They still have the dream to play football at a professional level, yet the NFL is not in the cards at the moment. That is where some of the smaller professional leagues come in. Leagues such as the Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League give players the opportunity to continue to play the game that they love and develop their skills. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to attend a CFL combine hosted by the company that I work for and see first hand a group of Division II and Division III athletes showcase themselves in front of scouts. I am not sure if any of the players present will be signed, but there was at least some interest from the scouts in certain players. 

Leagues like the CFL are a great opportunity for these young players to continue to develop their skills and play the game of football. And who knows, some of the players at the combine may end up succeeding in the smaller leagues and could move onto the NFL. What I do know is that Division II and III players are finally getting the recognition that they deserve. 

Good luck boys