About This Issue

On January 30, Dr. Christopher J. Kauffman, long-time editor of U.S. Catholic Historian (1983–2013) passed. We dedicate this issue to his memory. For three decades, Chris was the heart and soul of the U.S. Catholic Historian. Along with assistant and associate editors, he selected themes, solicited manuscripts, and reviewed and edited contributions. His commitment allowed the journal to thrive, filling an important role in the scholarly world, one that we strive to continue. As a friend and mentor to many in our field, he will be greatly missed. May the Lord grant him light and peace!

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In its more than three decades of publication, our journal has never published an issue devoted to athletics. We are pleased to present this assembly of essays on the role of Catholics and athletics in various contexts: as members of collegiate and professional teams, as agents of assimilation, and as a means of furthering social justice.

We are grateful to our contributors: Patrick Kelly, S.J., is associate professor of theology and religious studies at Seattle University, Seattle, Washington. Gerald R. Gems is emeritus professor in the Department of Kinesiology at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. He is a past president of the North American Society for Sport History. David Campmier is a doctoral candidate in U.S. history at the City University of New York, New York City. Richard Crepeau is professor emeritus of history at the University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida. He is a past president of the North American Society for Sport History. Timothy B. Neary is associate professor of history and coordinator of American studies at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. He is author of the recent monograph, Crossing Parish Boundaries: Race, Sports, and Catholic Youth in Chicago, 1914–1954. Robert Emmett Curran is professor emeritus of history at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.