California and the Making of Modern Sport

This book examines the importance of California - a socio-cultural, economic and political powerhouse - in the history of modern sport. It argues that California has had a profound influence, for better or worse, on the way that not only America but also the wider world plays sport and spends money to watch others play.

Joel S. Franks is an emeritus professor at San José State University, US, where he taught Asian American, Ethnic, and American Studies. He is a leading authority on Asian American and Pacific Islander sport history, and is the author of nine books.

Introduction, 1. Making the California Playland through the Mid-Twentieth Century, 2. Organizing Recreation and Sport in California through the Mid-Twentieth Century, 3. Fun in the Sun: Recreational /Lifestyle Sports in California through the Mid-Twentieth Century, 4. Playing For Community through the Mid-Twentieth Century, 5. School Spirit: Secondary Schools and Junior/Community Colleges through the Mid-Twentieth Century, 6. Playing on Golden Campuses: Intercollegiate Sports through the Mid-Twentieth Century, 7. Elite Athletes and Individual Sports through the Mid-Twentieth Century, 8. The Not So Major Leagues: Minor and Outlier Teams and Leagues Through the Mid-Twentieth Century, 9. Big League California through the Mid-Twentieth Century,10. California and the Making of American and Global Sport Through the Mid-Twentieth Century, Epilogue: The California Dream and Modern Sport