ONE of the challenges of being a sports journalist and a host of a sports podcast is constantly being on the lookout for new materials to write about and guests from different angles and perspectives of sports.
In the course of my search, I came across the University of Tennessee Center for Sport, Peace and Society (CSPS) headed by Dr. Sarah Hillyer. Dr. Hillyer is the Founder of CSPS.
According to their website, “Our empowerment philosophy at the Center for Sport, Peace and Society is simple. We want to expose, equip, engage and entrust local and global audiences to use sport to make a positive difference in the world.”
From the same website, Dr. Hillyer says, “Although stories of division, hate, intolerance and natural disaster have dominated headlines for most of recent memory, another reality is present: Sport has the power to rebuild communities and strengthen the bonds that connect us to others.”
Speaking of connecting us to others, there’s a testimonial in the webpage of Filipina Geraldine Bernardo who testifies, “The CSPS provided the impetus and wherewithal that enabled me to launch my own sport for development programs in my country. Drs. Sarah Hillyer and Ashleigh Huffman clearly walk the talk. Their vast experience in the field of sport for development is embodied in how they implement programs. Even years later, they continue to connect and involve us, ensuring that the ‘sisters’ will always have a web of support and opportunities for cross engagement. The CSPS formula in a nutshell: Mentor. Nurture. Capacitate. Empower…now, share and repeat!”
Ms. Bernardo is the Founder of Sport Management Council of the Philippines.
In the “Letter from our Director” section, Dr. Hillyer cites a Filipino dragon boat team, “A Filipino dragon boat team comprised entirely of persons with physical disabilities who won gold against their non-disabled counterparts.”
The article on the Filipino dragon boat team, according to Dr. Hillyer, was written by Brian Canever on February 24, 2017. It featured a sports mentoring program participant, another Filipino, JP Maunes, which said “ The GSMP [global standard management process] helped me to see the bigger picture. It provided me with mentors that didn’t exist for me in Cebu. Before I left the US, my mentors worked closely with me to expand the scope of my organization’s services to blind people, amputees, and wheelchair users.
“We didn’t want to only have sports programs and services for the deaf. As we made this shift, we’re planting new seeds in our community. Because I’m not an athlete, putting on my GSMP hat gives me an open door with athletes, the sports commission, and local leaders. I have never been more excited for the future in 10 years of working with people with disabilities.”
As you can see, a lot of research does a lot of wonders for both possible material and knowledge.
I believe there’s an athlete in all of us regardless of age, gender, race, religious belief, and yes, even political persuasion.
The center promotes and advocates for diversity and inclusivity through sports.