The Institute for International Sport’s mission includes educating the public about the many complex and fascinating sports education issues. This educational component of the Institute’s mission is integral to all of its programs, from National Sportsmanship Day to the World-Scholar-Athlete Games, but it is especially fulfilled in the numerous seminars and colloquia, which the Institute has administered over the years.

These educational forums have brought nationally recognized experts in various fields to the Kingston campus of the University of Rhode Island for three to five days of intensive, enlightened discussion on an array of topics. The seminars have addressed such timely issues as Drug Abuse in Sports, Sports Psychology and Media Ethics. They routinely attract large audiences, significant media coverage and high praise from those who have attended and participated in them.

Here are three examples of early Institute seminars that drew national and even international attention:

An off-handed remark by Charles “Lefty” Driesell, head men’s basketball coach at the University of Maryland when Len Bias, the Terrapin star, died of cocaine intoxication, produced a firestorm of national coverage. In his remarks at the seminar, Driesell mentioned that in his Master’s thesis he had proposed that cocaine was a performance-enhancing drug. An Associated Press stringer picked up on the comment and 24 hours later, Driesell’s quote was carried in every major newspaper in the United States, and in many international publications. At the time, Driesell was a strong candidate for the head coaching position of the new Charlotte entry in the NBA. The comment, and resulting controversy, effectively eliminated Driesell from the position, despite the fact that later in his speech, Driesell made clear that he did not personally think cocaine was a performance-enhancing drug.

Other presenters at this acclaimed symposium included former NFL great, Calvin Hill, who delivered a compelling address on the dangers of drug abuse in athletics.

To read more about the Drug Abuse in Sports Symposium, click on the articles below:

New York Times story by Frank Litsky and Robert Thomas, Jr., “Driesell Reflects,” June 8, 1987.

Providence Journal story by Robert Corriea, “Drugs, sports still mix, speaker says,” June 6, 1987.

On June 16-18, 1988, the Institute hosted an extraordinary seminar entitled, “Peace and Understanding Through Sports.” Featured speakers included Senator Claiborne Pell, who, at the time, was Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Joe Paterno, head football coach at Penn State and a member of the Institute’s Board, Anita DeFrantz, a member of the Institute’s Board and a member of the International Olympic Committee Board, and Alberto Juantorena, legendary double Gold Medalist from 1976. It was Mr. Juantorena’s first public speech in America as a representative of the Cuban Government and Olympic Committee.

During the symposium, Dan Doyle floated the idea of a World Scholar-Athlete Games with a number of speakers and other attendees. Also, during this three-day symposium, Dan had his first formal discussion about the notion of the World Scholar-Athlete Games with the Institute Board, including Joe Paterno, Anita DeFrantz and Russ Hogg.

This three-day seminar was held to examine what role sport plays in international peace and understanding. Over 20 countries were represented at the seminar, which drew coverage throughout the world. Presenters included Senator Pell, DeFrantz, Paterno and the acclaimed Juantorena. On the morning of the opening session, Juantorena decided to jog through the URI campus with several Institute officials, including Dan Doyle. By the end of the jog, a number of URI students, recognizing El Caballo “The Horse” had joined in the jog.

Click here to read the program of speakers at the acclaimed “Peace and Understanding Through Sport” seminar, held June 16-18, 1988 at the University of Rhode Island.

Click here to read a Providence Journal story about Juantorena’s keynote address.

This four-day symposium was attended by several hundred athletes, coaches and administrators, Presenters included Dick Schultz, Executive Director of the NCAA; Dr. Donna Lopiano, at the time Athletic Director at the University of Texas and presently Executive Director of the Women’s Sports Foundation; former Heisman trophy winner Dick Kazmaier; Billy Packer of CBS Sports; Dr. Doris Corbett, Professor of Sport Sociology at Howard University; Joe Paterno, Head Football Coach of Penn State, basketball legend Bob Cousy and Duke University men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.

To read more about the Ethics and Sportsmanship Symposium, click on the articles below:

Providence Journal story by Mike Szostak, "Paterno says NCAA should write new rules,’’ June 23, 1989.

Providence Journal story by Zack Burgess, “Banned substance use by athletes of all ages debated at URI,” June 24, 1989.

Providence Journal story by Mike Szostak, “Ethics and sportsmanship: Coaches say recruiting is worst abuse,” June 22, 1989.

Providence Journal story by Mike Szostak, “Timing perfect for seminar at URI,” Kume 21, 1989.

Periodically, this website will contain information on other past Institute seminars such as:

SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY ANDTHE COACH _ April, 1988
GENDER EQUITY: LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD? – April 1996
VIOLENCE IN SPORT - March 1997
ETHICS & THE SPORTS MEDIA - June 2001