CCC finds Baskett open to teaching

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Hank Baskett III will try to give Clovis Community College students an insight into the culture of sports from the athlete’s perspective, according to college officials.

Baskett will teach an eight-week sociology of sport course starting March 14. CCC students will earn three credits for the sociology elective, which is an online course.

Ruthie Hefner, CCC sociology division chairwoman, said some students complain the sociology department lacks sociology electives.

She said the topic of sociology of sports is popular in colleges on the east and west coasts and with Baskett in town for a few months while the NFL season is over, she asked him if he was interested in teaching the course.

Hefner, who said she is a close friend of Baskett’s, said he brings the perspective of a professional athlete who has experienced the impact of sports on academic and social levels.

“And so we thought it would be a great opportunity for the public to see it from a personal perspective,” said Hefner.

The course will cover a wide range of topics dealing with the culture of sports and its effect on society, Hefner said.

“Hank brought about five of the eight units that are in that course, focused around the role of sports in society, sports and business, sports and violence ... But also the role of parents in the way they're pushing their children, and the role of the black athlete in society,” she said. “So I felt he brought some unique perspectives that otherwise we would not be able to offer … at Clovis Community College.”

Baskett played for the University of New Mexico and graduated in 2005 with a degree in management, according to the Philadelphia Eagles Web site.

Attempts to contact Baskett for comment were unsuccessful.

Hefner said Baskett has no teaching experience, but has been involved with developing the curriculum.

“He had talked with me while he was at UNM about possibly wanting to teach as a profession at some point in time,” said Hefner.

She said Baskett did not immediately sign up for the course, but spent time making sure he had the proper background to teach the class.

She said he picked out the textbook for the class, and she designed the curriculum around his particular experience.

“He spent about four or five months reading the topics,” she said. “And he started reading and deciding whether or not his credentials were a match.”

Last week CCC Communications and Marketing Director Lisa Spencer said eight people have registered for the online class. The class has a maximum capacity of 30 students, she said.

While the class is categorized as an online class, Baskett will meet with students once a week, Spencer said.

Hefner said Baskett is the instructor of record, but she will assist him in some aspects of the class related to sociology.

“He is the instructor of record because he is the expert in the sports area,” she said, adding that she will be dealing with the sociological aspects of the course.

The course is considered a sociology elective and could transfer to other colleges, according to Hefner. But she said students will have to consult with the school they are transferring to and determine if the credit will be accepted.