Legal Aspects of Sports Blog

The New York Times has a good article here.  Please read it before class on March 17, 2008.

I just finished drafting the mid-term exam.  As you know, it is worth 10% of your final grade.  The exam has four multi-part essay questions.  You will have two hours to complete the exam.

On an unrelated note, please remember to turn in your first book review at the start of class (no email submissions will be accepted).

Question #1

(i) The “theory of peer effects” is discussed on page 27 of Confessions of a Spoilsport.

(ii) The various arguments are discussed in Chapter 4 of Confessions of a Spoilsport.

(iii) Examples of corporate sponsorship of college athletic facilities are presented throughout Confessions of a Spoilsport.

Question #2

The plaintiff’s two claims in Ross v. Creighton University were: (i) negligence and (ii) breach of contract.  The Zumbrun v. Univ. of Southern California case is discussed in Section II.C.

Question #3

Knapp v. Northwestern University involved the basketball player who sued under the Rehabilitation Act after the university barred him from competing on the varsity basketball team.  The court discusses whether playing college sports is a “major life activity” on page 480.

I just finished grading Quiz #3.  As you know, Quiz #3 is worth 5% of your final grade.  31 of the 33 students enrolled in the course took the quiz.  I will hand out copies of Quiz #3 before class on March 3, 2008.  A breakdown of the (percentage) points earned is as follows:

5.0 - twelve students (in other words, these students earned a perfect score)

4.5 - eight students

4.0 - six students

3.5 - one student

3.0 - four students

I just finished drafting Quiz #3.  It will be on February 25, 2008.  The quiz will cover material from: (i) Ross v. Creighton Univ.; (ii) Knapp v. Northwestern Univ.; (iii) Simpson v. Univ. of Colorado; and (iv) Chapters 1-8 of Confessions of a Spoilsport.  Quiz #3 will be worth 5% of your final grade. 

I just finished putting together discussions questions for Chapters 5-8 of Confessions of a Spoilsport.  Please be prepared to discuss these chapters during class. 

I. Introduction

A. Mark Cuban Quotes

B. Review Feb. 4, 2008 Class

1. Ross v. Creighton Univ.

2. Knapp v. Northwestern Univ.

3. Simpson v. Univ. of Colorado

C. Review Quiz #2

II. Confessions of a Spoilsport Discussion Questions

III. Looking Ahead

I just finished grading Quiz #2.  As you know, it was worth 5% of your final grade.  A total of 32 students took the quiz.  The scores earned were as follows:

5.0 - two students 

4.5 - five students

 4.0 - eleven students

3.5 - five students

3.0 - two students 

2.5 - three students 

2.0 - three students

0.5 - one student

Answers to all quiz questions are readily available in your readings and/or class notes.  Some of the questions may be recycled for the mid-term and/or final exam, so it would be prudent to review the quiz when studying.  I will hand back copies of the quiz at the start of class on February 11, 2008.