Falk College’s Sport and Human Development Institute Hosts Sport and Social Responsibility Symposium March 3

To illustrate social responsibility as an important community tool that can address critical social issues and human needs locally and globally, Falk College’s Sport and Human Development Institute will host its Inaugural Sport Development Symposium Friday, March 3, at 1 p.m. in Grant Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

“Sport and Social Responsibility,” will provide first-hand commentary from panelists working in various professional fields about how to use sport as a tool for positive action and change, including such topics as:

• How former athletes use their sport experience to leverage community resources and bring awareness to important societal issues.

• How foundations and organizations view sport as a means to create positive and sustainable social, political, and economic benefits for children, families and communities.

• The potential influence of sport to address some of the world’s most pressing issues, such as gender equity and global malnutrition.

Professor Teresa MacDonald, director of Falk College’s Sport and Human Development Institute, selected the symposium’s theme as a model for students, whether they are majoring in human services, business, science, sport or other fields, to understand the importance of social consciousness and how it can be accomplished through sport.

Sport is vital to the holistic development of young people by fostering physical and emotional health. It is also a powerful tool to facilitate social integration and tolerance while promoting inclusion, citizenship and respect. Sport for development programs are playing increasingly significant roles in many global humanitarian and charitable organizations because of sport’s ability to highlight commonalities and bridge cultural and ethnic divides.

“In today’s age of big business and global outreach, we wanted to provide a forum for students to learn about ways foundations and organizations embrace sport to create positive and sustainable social, political, and economic benefits for children, families and communities,” says MacDonald. “Our students will learn about the potential intersection of their interests and professional preparation with organizations and individuals using sport as a tool for advancing social networks and meeting non-sport goals.”

The symposium will explore how sport connects with many professional areas including human services, community development, local and global policy, and program development, among others. Moderated by Sue Edson, executive senior associate athletics director/chief communications officer, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Syracuse University, scheduled panelists include:

• Shanell Mosley, assistant director, sports partnerships, U.S. Fund for UNICEF

• Falk alumnus, Duane Kinnon ’91, president and CEO, The Kinnon Group

• Falk alumnus, Max Levitt, ’11, executive director, Leveling the Playing Field, Inc.

• Falk alumnus, Sam Rodgers ’15, current Syracuse University College of Law student, former student-athlete and Syracuse University chapter founder, Uplifting Athletes.

• Brandon Steiner ’81, founder and chairman, Steiner Sports Marketing

“Sport is a universal language that promotes social connections, understanding and tolerance while contributing to the physical and emotional health of individuals, families and communities,” says Diane Lyden Murphy, dean of Falk College. “Equally as significant to Falk College as it focuses on educating socially conscious global citizens in all of its majors, sport offers a compelling and powerful tool for advocacy, social justice and change.”

The Sport and Human Development Institute in Falk College explores the intersection of sport with human development, social change and social inclusion. Created in partnership with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, the institute aims to provide professional education and learning opportunities for students while supporting interdisciplinary, sport-focused research to advance understanding and application of sport in this developing discipline.

The institute aims to collect and disseminate important research findings and to share best practices among leaders, researchers, policy makers, and practitioners who influence sport-for-development initiatives. It also provides exposure, experience, and networking for our students interested in professions and non-profit entities that incorporate sport as a tool for engagement.

In 2016, Falk College and MacDonald created and implemented the first university model for UNICEF’s Kid Power Program (unicefkidpower.org) to allow kids to get active and save lives in collaboration with fourth- and fifth-grade students and their teachers at Lemoyne and McKinley-Brighton elementary schools in Syracuse. A Falk College Seed Grant Program supports interdisciplinary, sport-focused research among Falk faculty exploring intersections between their professional areas of study and the field of sport.  MacDonald is also exploring experiential and research opportunities using sport as a context for development, prevention, and intervention. For more information, contact the Sport and Human Development Institute at tmmacdon@syr.edu.