On March 22, 2024, Andrew McFarland joined us for a wide-ranging session on his recent book, Regeneration through Sport: Football, Sport, and Cultural Modernization in Spain, 1890-1920.
Participants included: Andrew Lee, Adam Winkel, David Kilpatrick, Brian Bunk, Karl Zoller, Andrew Guest, John Sloop, and Peter Alegi.
Listen to an audio recording of the session (for personal/educational use only):
On Friday, December 8, we welcomed John Sloop (Professor of Communication Studies, Vanderbilt Univ.) for a discussion of his new book Soccer’s Neoliberal Pitch: The Sport’s Power, Profit, and Discursive Politics (Univ. of Alabama Press, 2023).
Participants included: Rachel Allison, Andrew Lee, Martha Saavedra, Stefan Szymanski, Karl Zoller, Jon Dart, David Kilpatrick, Chuck Carlson, Antony Kaminju, and Peter Alegi.
Listen to an audio recording of the session (for personal/educational use only):
On November 10, anthropologist Itamar Dubinsky joined us for a discussion of his fascinating book, Entrepreneurial Goals: Development and Africapitalism in Ghanaian Soccer Academies [link].
In addition to the author, participants included Gerard Akindes, Martha Saavedra, Robert Edelman, David Kilpatrick, Antony Kaminju, Ron Krabill, Chris Gaffney, Yomi Ejikunle, Andrew McFarland, Noah Drymalski, Jon Dart, Derek Catsam, and Peter Alegi.
Listen to an audio recording of the session (for personal/educational use only):
Our next session is on Friday, Dec. 8, at 1pm US ET with John Sloop’s Soccer’s Neoliberal Pitch: The Sport’s Power, Profit, and Discursive Politics [link]. Click here to find your time zone.
Zoom invites will be available closer to the date of each event. For more info and to be added to our email list please contact Peter Alegi (alegi AT msu DOT edu).
The opening convo of the 2023-24 season took place on October 13 at the doors of Fútbology’s version of the Schlosskirche. It featured a discussion and debate of David Kilpatrick’s provocative 95 Theses for the Reformation of Football.
Participants included: David Kilpatrick, Adam Winkel, Gabe Logan, Andrew McFarland, Mauricio Borrero, Jon Dart, Brian Wesaala, Martha Saavedra, Eric Wolcott, Brian Bunk, James Brown, Jack Huckle, and Peter Alegi.
Listen to an audio recording of the session (for personal/educational use only):
Welcome to the 2023-24 season of the Football Scholars Forum. The first half of the calendar has been set. Here it is (drum roll):
Click here to find your time zone.
Zoom invites will be available closer to the date of each event. For more info and to add your email address ot the FSF list please contact Peter Alegi (alegi AT msu DOT edu).
The upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand/Aotearoa will make history: it’s the first co-hosted WWC; first in the southern hemisphere; first with 32 teams; and first with guaranteed prize money for all players.
On June 13, 2023, historians Jean Williams and Brenda Elsey, and anthropologist Hillary Haldane comprised a panel that delved into key issues in the politics, economics, culture, and history of the most important event in women’s football.
A total of 34 participants from around the world attended the event, which made for a particularly lively and engaging discussion.
Listen to an audio recording of the session (for personal/educational use only):
On Tuesday, June 13, at 2pm US EDT (7pm London, 8pm Johannesburg, 9pm Doha), the Football Scholars Forum will hold a roundtable discussion on the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Historians Jean Williams and Brenda Elsey and anthropologist Hillary Haldane will each make introductory remarks to help frame a conversation on multiple aspects of the culture, politics, and history of the WWC.
To receive a Zoom invitation, please contact Peter Alegi (alegi AT msu DOT edu).
On March 31, 2023, FSF welcomed James Brown, vice president of The Society for American Soccer History, for a discussion of his recent book, Mud, Blood, and Studs: One Family’s Legacy in Soccer and Rugby Across Three Continents [link].
Participants included U.S. Hall of Famer George Brown, Gerard Akindes, Zach Bigalke, Chuck Carlson, Jack Huckel, Antony Kaminju, David Kilpatrick, Josh Jackson, John Sloop, Gordon Stewart, Yomi Ejikunle, and Peter Alegi.
Listen to an audio recording of the session (for personal/educational use only):
On Friday, March 31, at 2pm US Eastern Time (London 1900; Johannesburg 2000), we welcome James Brown, vice president of The Society for American Soccer History, to discuss his book Mud, Blood, and Studs: James Brown and His Family’s Legacy in Soccer and Rugby Across Three Continents [link].
Mud, Blood and Studs, according to the publisher, is a “story of sporting excellence passed from generation to generation. An alcoholic father abandons his family in Troon, Scotland, and sails for America, but against the odds his offspring prosper, as his four boys have natural athletic ability. Oldest son, Jim, travels to America to track down his father and finds a country in the throes of the Great Depression. However, his superb soccer skills win him selection for the 1930 US World Cup team. In 1932, he signs for Manchester United, and later for Spurs. Jim passes his skills on to his son, George, who becomes a USA All-Star and USMNT player. Jim’s brothers, John and Tom, shake up Scottish football, and John hands down his sublime hand-to-eye coordination to sons Peter and Gordon, who make their mark in international rugby. Then there are Peter and Gordon’s cousins, the Lambies, who impact South African rugby. This fascinating book brings you the inside track on a remarkable family who overcame adversity to thrive at the top level of sport.”
To participate in the Zoom event, contact Peter Alegi (alegi AT msu DOT edu) by Thursday, March 30.
On November 9, Pete Watson joined us for a discussion of his new book, Football and Nation Building in Colombia (2010-2018), available as a free download here.
32 participants attended the session, including Ryan Turcott and his students from the International Sports Management course at Gonzaga University, as well as Rwany Sibaja, Sergio Echeverry-Ruiz, David Kilpatrick, Shawn Stein, Andrew McFarland, Chuck Carlson, Jon Dart, Mauricio Borrero, Michelle Sikes, Andrew Guest, Patrick Ridge, Chris Gaffney, and Andrew Lee.
Listen to the audio recording below (for educational/personal use only):
