Podcast / Edge of Sports / Apr 7, 2025

What to Learn From a Yearbook

On this episode of Edge of Sports, Author Michael Messner and friend of the pod Arya Shirazi join the show.

Edge of Sports
Edge of Sports

Where sports and politics collide, hosted by Nation magazine Sports Editor Dave Zirin

What To Learn From A Yearbook
byDave Zirin / The Nation

This week, we talk to Michael Messner, author of the fascinating new book, about what we can learn by looking at sports and yearbooks over the course of a century. It’s called “The High School: Sports, Spirit, and Citizens, 1903-2024.” Also, I’m talking to the savant, Arya Shirazi, about the days when March was truly mad. 

The High School

https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/the-high-school/9781978839533/

Zirin, With ICE Out of Control, How Can the US Cohost the 2026 World Cup?

https://www.thenation.com/article/world/ice-fifa-world-cup-north-america/

http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: [email protected] | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

NCAA Final Four, Villanova team victorious over Georgetown, in Lexington, Kentucky, on April 1, 1985.

NCAA Final Four, Villanova team victorious over Georgetown, in Lexington, Kentucky, on April 1, 1985.

(Richard Mackson / Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

This week on Edge of Sports, we talk to Michael Messner, author of a fascinating new book about what we can learn by looking at sports and yearbooks over the course of a century. It’s called The High School: Sports, Spirit, and Citizens, 1903–2024. Also, I’m talking to the savant Arya Shirazi about the days when March was truly mad

Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.

Edge of Sports
Edge of Sports

Where sports and politics collide, hosted by Nation magazine Sports Editor Dave Zirin

The Atlanta Braves or the Atlanta Bravest? Also, the March for Mumia
byDave Zirin / The Nation

This week, we speak to Chris Buccafusco about his organization, Atlanta Bravest, and what they are doing to combat indigenous mascoting. Also, sound from the March for Mumia onto the grounds of his prison, which took on the issue not only of Mumia’s incarceration but also of elder and medical abuse inside our prisons. 

Zirin,“This Is Historic”: FIFA and UEFA Presidents Are Accused of Aiding Israel’s War Crimes

https://www.thenation.com/article/society/fifa-uefa-war-crimes-israel/

http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: [email protected] | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Time is running out to have your gift matched 

In this time of unrelenting, often unprecedented cruelty and lawlessness, I’m grateful for Nation readers like you. 

So many of you have taken to the streets, organized in your neighborhood and with your union, and showed up at the ballot box to vote for progressive candidates. You’re proving that it is possible—to paraphrase the legendary Patti Smith—to redeem the work of the fools running our government.

And as we head into 2026, I promise that The Nation will fight like never before for justice, humanity, and dignity in these United States. 

At a time when most news organizations are either cutting budgets or cozying up to Trump by bringing in right-wing propagandists, The Nation’s writers, editors, copy editors, fact-checkers, and illustrators confront head-on the administration’s deadly abuses of power, blatant corruption, and deconstruction of both government and civil society. 

We couldn’t do this crucial work without you.

Through the end of the year, a generous donor is matching all donations to The Nation’s independent journalism up to $75,000. But the end of the year is now only days away. 

Time is running out to have your gift doubled. Don’t wait—donate now to ensure that our newsroom has the full $150,000 to start the new year. 

Another world really is possible. Together, we can and will win it!

Love and Solidarity,

John Nichols 

Executive Editor, The Nation

Dave Zirin

Dave Zirin is the sports editor at The Nation. He is the author of 11 books on the politics of sports. He is also the coproducer and writer of the new documentary Behind the Shield: The Power and Politics of the NFL.

More from The Nation

LAPD officers and National Guard soldiers stand outside a downtown LA jail in June 2025.

How LA Defeated Trump! Plus, Bob Dylan’s Xmas How LA Defeated Trump! Plus, Bob Dylan’s Xmas

On Start Making Sense: Bill Gallegos on the withdrawal of the National Guard and marines from LA last summer, and Sean Wilentz on Dylan’s choice of songs for his Christmas album.

Jon Wiener

The Living Legacy of Norman Podhoretz

The Living Legacy of Norman Podhoretz The Living Legacy of Norman Podhoretz

On The Time of Monsters: David Klion and Ronnie Grinberg on a founding father of neo-conservatism.

Jeet Heer

A security volunteer stands at a roadside checkpoint during the conflict in the Thai province of Buriram, 10 kilometres away from the border with Cambodia.

Thailand–Cambodia Fighting, Venezuela Escalation, Yemen Separatists Thailand–Cambodia Fighting, Venezuela Escalation, Yemen Separatists

The news from American Prestige.

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

A boy looks at an iPhone screen displaying various social media apps on December 13, 2025.

How Effective Is Australia’s Social Media Age Limit? How Effective Is Australia’s Social Media Age Limit?

Podcast / Tech Won’t Save Us / Apr 7, 2025 What to Learn From a Yearbook On this episode of Tech Won’t Save Us: Cam Wilson on the rollout the new social media age…

Podcast / Tech Won't Save Us

What Explains Epstein’s Friends? Plus, Crossword Politics

What Explains Epstein’s Friends? Plus, Crossword Politics What Explains Epstein’s Friends? Plus, Crossword Politics

On Start Making Sense: Katha Pollitt talks about why none of Epstein’s friends cared about his victims, and Natan Last reveals the hidden politics of the crossword puzzle.

Jon Wiener

Donald Trump speaks during a Mexican Border Defense Medal presentation in the Oval Office on December 15, 2025.

Trump’s National Security Strategy Trump’s National Security Strategy

On this episode of American Prestige: Julia Gledhill and Van Jackson on the Trump administration's National Security Strategy.

Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner

x