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A new undergraduate course at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville that will chart the history of intercollegiate athletics from its start as student-run sporting clubs in the 1800s, to the multi-billion-dollar industry it is today, is being offered this spring semester. Southern Illinois University (SIU) System President Dan Mahony, PhD, and SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB) Dean Robin Hughes, PhD, are co-instructors of the 16-week course Cl495.222, “History and Current Issues in College Athletics” that begins Wednesday, Jan. 20 and will meet from 11a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. 

 “The course examines the impact of social class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality and disability on intercollegiate athletics,” explained Mahony. “The content will also cover topics such as amateurism, labor unions, protests, academic scandals and attempts at reform.”  

According to Hughes, “Student-athletes and athletics are an integral part of college campuses. I am not sure how one studies or specializes in the study of higher education without some knowledge about how student-athletes experience college.” 

“I like this class, because there is a lot of misunderstanding about college athletics past and current issues,” added Mahony. “It is important for people, inside and outside of college athletics, to know more.” 

“Students will learn the role of college athletics on campuses,” noted Hughes. “The course will also show how college impacts student-athletes, and in turn, how student-athletes impact college campuses.” 

Both Mahony and Hughes are excited about the new course offering at SIUE, which is open to anyone, and to be working together. 

“We have both taught a similar course at previous institutions,” detailed Hughes, “and I have been teaching one since 2001. We will use this course in the newly established higher education student affairs track, with a focus on athletic leadership. People interested in preparation for positions in collegiate athletics will likely have an interest in this degree track.” 

“I am looking forward to teaching this class again. It is a course that most students have enjoyed over the years, and I think it is even more interesting this year,” said Mahony. “I am fortunate that Dean Hughes has agreed to teach the class with me. I personally like teaching, because it keeps me more closely connected to the students.”

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SIU System President Dan Mahony, PhD, and SIUE SEHHB Dean Robin Hughes, PhD, are co-instructors of the 16-week course, “History and Current Issues in College Athletics.”