Presentation at Ali Center Athletes and Social Change Forum

1. Athletes for Human Rights:
Making Case for
Scholar-Athlete-Activist
Mary Hums
University of Louisville
&
Eli Wolff
Brown University

2. “The sport, recreation and play
domain, far from being trivial, is
essential for fully realizing the
human rights promise.”
-Hubbard, 2004

3. Athletes for Human Rights
• Lawyers for Human Rights
• Physicians for Human Rights

4. Current Environment?
• Academic Culture (Nerds)
• Athletics Culture (Jocks)
• Community Engagement Culture (Hippies)

5. More Alike than Different?
• Scholar
• Athlete
• Activist
What are shared skills/knowledge?
What is inter-relationship?

6. Activism
“Activism is as vast as the human
imagination, as deep as the human mind, as
bold as the human heart.”
- William Ayers, Teaching Toward
Freedom, 2004

7. Dimensions of Sport & Social Change
“We identify four embedded dimensions of sport that have strong
implications for a progressive and activist political orientation. These
dimensions are social consciousness, meritocracy, responsible
citizenship, and interdependency. In conclusion, we make the case that
sports can and should be a vehicle for progressive social change.”
“It is our belief that there are inherent qualities of sport and the athletic
experience that do indeed suggest an orientation toward progressive
social change.”
- Kaufman and Wolff (2010)
Playing and Protesting:
Sport as a Vehicle for Social Change

8. Supportive Environment?
Paradigm Shift
New Mindset
Becomes the Norm
Becomes Valued
Viewed as Opportunity
Viewed as Asset

9. Louisville Sports Administration
Teaching
- Courses
- Research
- Articles
- Book chapters
- Service
- Cards Care
- SPAD Club

10. Sport and Development Fellowship
Brown University
The Sport and Development Fellowship
recognizes Brown University undergraduates
who have a record of excellence in academics
and sport, supporting these student-athletes to
embark on innovative research or applied
projects, exploring the intersection of sport and
human rights within a particular context.

11. SportsCorps
SportsCorps harnesses the passion and
dedication of youth leaders who embrace the
ideals of service and community activism, while
utilizing the vehicle of sport to make lasting
impact in communities around the globe.
• Student Initiatives
• Leadership Initiatives

12. Embracing the
Scholar-Athlete-Activist
• Give Voice
• Give a Home and a Platform
• Give Support and Encouragement
Athletes for Human Rights
Muhammad Ali Center

13. Athletes for Human Rights:
Making Case for
Scholar-Athlete-Activist
Mary Hums
University of Louisville
&
Eli Wolff
Brown University