New Thinking for the Next Generation of Geography Education
Powerful Geography
Athletes and Sports Competitors

Athletes and Sports Competitors

Athletes and Sports Competitors
Including: Golfer | Race Car Driver | Surfer

I. JOB SUMMARY

Main Topic: Human Geography
Secondary Topic: Places and Regions

Overview:  Athletes play sports professionally for a living. They can play in teams sports such as American football, baseball, softball, or soccer; or they can compete in individual sports such as swimming, gymnastics, archery, or fencing, amongst many others. Sports in their entirety are extremely influenced by geography. Some sports are very much engrained into the culture of some countries, such as Cricket in India, Rugby in Australia and New Zealand, or soccer (football) in Europe and South America. There is even regional divides in the United States, for example: hockey and other winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding are very popular in the Northern portion of the country, but have very little presence in the South. For athletes that travel to play against international teams, they would also benefit from having geographic knowledge over the country to which they are traveling to better understand the region, and how that might influence the opposing team’s playing styles and playing tactics.

Geographers at work: Human Geographers, cultural geography, Geographers that specialize in specific countries or regions.

Recommended College Courses: Human Geography, Introduction to Cultural Geography, World Geography, Location Analysis, Regional Geography, Geography of (USA and Canada, South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, etc.)

Skills: Human geography, cultural geography, interpersonal skills, communication skills

Occupation Group: Entertainment and Sports

Learn more about Athletes and Sports Competitors from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/childcare-workers.htm#tab-2

Written by Ally Schlandt

II. POWERFUL GEOGRAPHIC KNOWLEDGE

Athletes and sports competitors participate in organized, officiated sporting events to entertain spectators.
Athletes and sports competitors participate in organized, officiated sporting events to entertain spectators.
A golfer is an individual who participates in the sport of golf, aiming to complete a course by hitting a ball into a series of holes with the fewest strokes possible.
A golfer is an individual who participates in the sport of golf, aiming to complete a course by hitting a ball into a series of holes with the fewest strokes possible.
Race car drivers are skilled professionals who compete in high-speed motor racing events, demonstrating exceptional driving abilities and strategy to achieve victory on tracks and circuits.
Race car drivers are skilled professionals who compete in high-speed motor racing events, demonstrating exceptional driving abilities and strategy to achieve victory on tracks and circuits.
Surfers are individuals who ride ocean waves using specialized boards, skillfully harnessing the power of the water to engage in a dynamic and exhilarating water sport.
Surfers are individuals who ride ocean waves using specialized boards, skillfully harnessing the power of the water to engage in a dynamic and exhilarating water sport.