Sports in the South
It would be no understatement to say that sports are big in the South!
For a good history of college sports in the South, please see The Manly, the Moral, and the Proficient: College Sport in the New South by Dr. Patrick D. Miller.
Dr. Miller examines the myth that the martial spirit and traditions of the Civil War gave rise to the fierce SEC competitions in the region. He includes the quotation: "As their fathers learned of themselves and their leaders how to fight, so have these young men learned of themselves and their leaders how to play football. Conversation between a prominent Virginian and Professor J. M. Bandry, Trinity College [later Duke University], circa 1890" (page 285).
Another great source for sports and Southern culture is "You're Dixie's Football Pride': American College Football and the Resurgence of Southern Identity", Wes Borucki.
For up-to-date news about Southern sports teams, please visit the CSS site, which specializes in covering the region's teams, or try the more general ESPN, LexisNexis Academic , or ProQuest Newspapers.
Sports Records and Statistics
Would you like to know which women's basketball team scored the most points in the 1984 NCAA tournament, or how many tournaments UA has won in a particular sport? Check out some of these sites to find the answers.
NCAA Stats (start your statistical search here, look in the "record books" to find out about games from past years)
Statistical Abstract (number one librarian-recommended statistics book, gives estimates on how much Americans watch, play, and spend on particular sports)
Other Sites:
Sports Museums
Visit these museums in person or online!
Barber Vintage Museum--"Home to the world’s best motorcycle collection, the museum now has over 1200 vintage and modern motorcycles and race cars and the largest collection of Lotus cars as well as other significant makes." Located in Leeds, AL.
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame--"over 5,000 sports artifacts elegantly displayed in the 33,000 square foot building. Out of ESPN’s list of the top 100 athletes of the century, five out of the top fifteen greatest ever are in the ASHOF: Jesse Owens, Hank Aaron, Joe Louis, Willie Mays, and Carl Lewis." Located in Birmingham, AL.
Paul W. Bryant Museum--the mission of the Paul W. Bryant Museum is to collect, preserve and exhibit items and to disseminate information relating to the sports history of the University of Alabama. Located on the UA campus.