Bowled Over: Big-Time College Football From The Sixties To The BCS Era

by Michael Oriard
Bowled Over: Big-Time College Football From The Sixties To The BCS Era cover
Good Books rating 4.23
History
Technical
  • ID: 5847
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9781458782359
  • Publisher: ReadHowYouWant.com
  • Published: 2010-07-13
  • Reviews: 3

In 'Bowled Over,' respected sports historian Michael Oriard delves into the significant changes that have reshaped the landscape of college football. Drawing from his own experiences as a former second-team All-American at Notre Dame, Oriard examines the politicization and commercialization of the sport, offering a deeply personal and insightful analysis of its impact on student-athletes. The book explores a wide range of issues, from the growing influence of politics in college athletics to the shifting dynamics between academic and athletic priorities. Oriard's unique perspective as both a historian and a former athlete provides a nuanced understanding of how these changes have affected the game and its players, raising important questions about the future of college football.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2010-01-01
compelling 4.50

The book is praised for its compelling arguments and personal insights into college football's evolution. It highlights significant changes and the author's unique perspective as a former player.

This book is highly regarded for its deep dive into the transformations of college football from the 1960s to the present. The reviewer appreciates the author's personal experiences and the compelling arguments presented. They also note the book's effectiveness in drawing on the author's playing days to illustrate key points. Overall, it's seen as a valuable contribution to sports history.

Quick quotes

    In this compellingly argued and deeply personal book, respected sports historian Michael Oriard...

    Oriard draws effectively on his experience playing at Notre Dame...

    The book is structured in two parts. The first part describes football's changing race relations...

Project MUSE · JM de Oca · 2010-01-01
insightful 4.00

The book traces key transformations in college football and highlights two significant changes. The reviewer finds the analysis insightful and well-researched.

This review focuses on the book's exploration of the major shifts in college football over the decades. The reviewer, JM de Oca, finds the analysis thorough and well-supported by evidence. They particularly appreciate the book's focus on the commercialization and professionalization of the sport. The reviewer also notes that the book provides a comprehensive overview of the changes in race relations within college football.

Quick quotes

    Michael Oriard's most recent book on college football traces key transformations in college football from the 1960s to the present.

    Oriard sees two key changes...

    The book provides a comprehensive overview of the changes in race relations within college football.

JSTOR · KE Kemper · 2009-01-01
balanced 4.20

The book is praised for its strengths and its ability to avoid being more than it should be. The reviewer appreciates the balanced perspective and the depth of analysis.

KE Kemper highlights the book's many strengths, particularly its ability to maintain a balanced perspective on the subject. They appreciate the depth of analysis and the way the book avoids being overly activist. The reviewer also notes the book's effectiveness in drawing on the author's personal experiences to illustrate key points. Overall, it's seen as a valuable contribution to the understanding of college football's evolution.

Quick quotes

    One of the book's many strengths is that it is not more...

    The book is structured in two parts. The first part describes football's changing race relations...

    Oriard draws effectively on his experience playing at Notre Dame...

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