Academic Preparation Equals More Options For San Francisco Students
Over a long and illustrious career, Harry Edwards has received numerous awards and honors, including multiple honorary doctorate degrees and four Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers. But it was his 30 years of experience as a sociology professor at UC Berkeley that may benefit San Francisco sociology students the most. Edwards is a man whose contributions to sociological research, the American Civil Rights movement and diversity in sport is immeasurable. Here are some thoughts from one of the world's most respected authorities of his field.
What is your background and education?
"I was a scholarship athlete and honor student at San Jose State, where I completed a B.A. in sociology. Upon graduation in 1964, I had the option of entering professional football, trying out for an NBA team or accepting a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship to one of the graduate schools that had been accepted in the field of sociology. My fellowship paid more than I could have made as a professional athlete at the time, so I ultimately elected to pursue my master's and doctorate degrees at Cornell University."
What achievements are you most proud of?
"My role in the pioneering of the Sociology of Sport, work with NFL Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh, creator of the Olympic Project for Human Rights, relationships with thousands of students over 30 years on the sociology faculty at UC Berkeley, the illustrious people who my journey as a scholar activist had brought me in contact and often, collaboration with: Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Maya Angelou, Bill Russell, Muhammad Ali, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Jackie Robinson, and many, many more 'men and women of substance,' and my wife of 45 years and adult children - a corporate lawyer, a medical doctor, and a software/ IT specialist."
What advice can you give to today's sociology students?
"My advice to an aspiring sociologist would be to strive to be the very best sociologist that you can be. THEN establish the specific realm of sociological emphasis to which you want to apply the discipline. Too often, those who - from the outset - determine a SPECIFIC focus to their sociology preparation eventually find that they are TOO narrowly focused to continue to grow and develop in the discipline. The broader and more encompassing your academic preparation, the more options you become aware of and can access."
Randy Yagi is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. In 2012, he was awarded a Media Fellowship from Stanford University. His work can be found on Examiner.com Examiner.com.