BrownHEN interviewed Eli A. Wolff,
Brown '00, Manager of Research, Sport in Society, Boston, MA.
1. Eli, please explain what your part of the Sport in Society Program at Northeastern University is doing—purpose and goals. Also please describe what you find yourself doing on a typical day.
I am the Manager of Research at the Center for Sport in Society at Northeastern. The purpose of the Center is to stay on the forefront of supporting and inspiring social change in and through sport at local and global levels. The Center engages in action-based sport and social change research, education, and advocacy activities in order to achieve this goal and purpose. The research unit is the think-tank, incubator, innovation and process component of Sport in Society. On a typical day, I am engaging in research projects, advising and consulting with individuals and organizations, and mobilizing networks and alliances for advocacy and informing policy. Every day is a bit different but contains the same elements and approaches.
2. It has been several years since graduation and you are still active at Brown. What is your vision for what Brown should be doing related, of course, to athletics and social change?
Brown has a tremendous opportunity to foster innovation and advancement with respect to athletics, academics and social change. Brown can become a leader in athletics to promote equality and social justice on the playing fields, and to also value student-athletes and the study of sport in the classroom. Brown can create a culture of inclusion and acceptance that values the intersection of academics and athletics and creates a community where sport is recognized and embraced as a unique discipline of learning and a creative platform to transform and empower individuals and communities.
3. What drove you to work so hard in the area of sports and the community?
At an early age, through my individual experience, and the experiences of others I saw around me, I recognized the barriers and challenges for many toward access, acceptance and inclusion in the realm of sport. For this reason, I have been very passionate to strive for equality, social justice and human rights in sport and in society. Through my involvement in the struggle for equality and human rights, I have found the realm of sport, ethics, and social issues fascinating, interesting and complex in ways that I would have never expected.
4. Implementing the goals of Sport in Society would appear to require the commitment of many volunteers. Please give advice about working with volunteers.
Most of the volunteers of the Center are student interns from Northeastern or other colleges and universities. Student interns bring great passion, energy, ideas and commitment that is wonderful to have around the office. I am always so appreciative of the contributions by our interns. With limited full-time staff, we rely a great deal on our student interns.
5. Please comment on being a social entrepreneur within a fairly large organization.
As the research manager for the Center, I am looked to for the ongoing innovation and creativity so that we can stay at the forefront of social issues, and to be able to provide support, guidance and assistance to a range of constituents, clients, and audiences. I enjoy the challenge of new problems and finding new ideas and new solutions. I believe that this is the essence of what drives me and keeps me so motivated and engaged. I see challenges and barriers as opportunities for growth, innovation and creativity. It is enjoyable to be able to work with colleagues and support a team that is always striving for excellence and always aiming for solutions.
6. Do you still play soccer for recreation? Does playing relate to your responsibilities at Northeastern?
I continue to stay active with running and general fitness. I play soccer every now and then, but not on an organized team right now. I am looking for the right opportunity to get back into playing soccer. When I played competitive soccer, I played forward (also known as striker.) In soccer, this position is very much about creativity, critical thinking and finding solutions. I actually think most positions in soccer reflect this. I have given a lot of thought to parallels between my sport and my career, and I do think that there are many links between soccer, innovation and social change!!
7. Do you think professional soccer will ever become as important in the United States as it is many other countries?
I think soccer is a very important sport in this country, particularly for youth. I think soccer will continue to grow, and continue to grow in its popularity. I think with the increased diversity in America, the growth of urban communities, and the welcoming of the international community, will continue to help advance soccer in America. I think that sports that have more of a history in America – baseball, basketball and American football – will continue to thrive here more so than soccer. Soccer will remain the global game of humanity, peace and friendship.
8. Would you speak about fear as a motivation or hindrance toward accomplishment? How has that played a factor in your path, if any?
I think I have been motivated to address fear and stigma in sports culture and in society. Related to this, I have also been motivated to address the fear of rejection from barriers and exclusion. I have faced these issues related to fear in my own personal journey and in the work that I am involved with everyday. I think recognizing and challenging fear is the motivation for me toward making a difference. Related to this, from my perspective, fear itself is the major hindrance in order to achieve social justice. My life and work as a social entrepreneur comes very much from innovation through and with fear.
9. Do you have a mentor who has helped you in your career path/personal development?
I have had a number of mentors in my journey. I cannot say that there has only been one. The Founder of the Center for Sport in Society, Dr. Richard Lapchick has been a great source of inspiration, collaboration and mentorship.
10. Who are three other individuals (dead or alive) who have influenced you?
Ted Fay, Professor at SUNY-Cortland, Professor of Sport Management, has influenced my thinking on systems change and interdisciplinary modes of social change
Peter Kaufman, at SUNY-New Paltz, a Professor of Sociology, has enriched and influenced my thinking about scholar-activism and athlete-activism, which is the basis for much of my work at the Center.
Jessica Honig, my wife. Jess has amazing creativity, intelligence and humility. I always say and think that most of the ideas come from and through exchanges with Jess.
11. What is the latest insight (about life, work, play) that you picked up and would like to share with BrownHEN?
The most important aspect of life, work and play are to find balance, perspective, and to value and appreciate all the people you interact with on a daily basis. Also, look for mentors and colleagues that can give you honest feedback and insight.
© BrownHEN.org – 2009
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