The New Cathedrals: Politics and Media in the History of Stadium Construction

Stadium construction has altered the physical landscape of many major metropolitan areas throughout North America and has had a profound psychological and economic impact on these urban centers. The ways athletic facilities have been constructed, from the ritual-centered beginnings of stadium construction in ancient Greece to the large-scale construction of professional sports facilities in present day global centers, reveal a culture's values and priorities and how it defines its recreational needs.

Drawing on thorough and wide-ranging research, Robert C. Trumpbour examines the political institutions, commercial entities, civic leadership, and media organizations that influenced stadium construction. The author analyzes three significant recent historical periods: the Progressive Era, when modern fireproof stadiums were first built; the late 1960s and early 1970s, when multipurpose stadiums were built in downtown areas to promote urban redevelopment; and the late 1990s, when retro ballparks were designed to accommodate commercial and entertainment space. Charting this evolution,
Trumpbour convincingly argues that there has been a dramatic shift in the role of the media, with media access emerging as a vital element in setting the ground rules for the debate on stadium construction. Written in lucid, jargon-free prose, this book combines a detailed history of stadium construction with an analysis of current stadium issues.

Author: Robert C. Trumpbour
Publisher: Syracuse University Press
Published: 12/15/2006
Pages: 373
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.49lbs
Size: 9.20h x 6.36w x 1.18d
ISBN: 9780815631323

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 05/01/2007 pg. 82

About the Author
Robert C. Trumpbour is assistant professor of communications at Pennsylvania State University, Altoona College. He has written numerous articles on media studies and stadium construction.