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 Only Western Conference NBA Preview You Need 
byDave Zirin / The Nation

This week, we talk about the politics and promise of the 2026-2027 NBA season with the Hoops Savant Arya Shirazi. It gets no better. 

Zirin, Jalen Hurts Deserved Better. We All Do

https://www.thenation.com/article/society/jalen-hurts-eagles-blood-clot/

—

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

Episode play icon
The Only Western Conference NBA Preview You Need 
Episode Description
Episode play icon
The Only Eastern Conference NBA Preview You Need 
Episode Description
Episode play icon
The WNBA, Past and Present and Irish Sport for Palestine
Episode Description
Episode play icon
Unpacking Macklemore and the Iron Sheik
Episode Description
Episode play icon
How the Green Bay Packers Became the Only USA Team Owned by the Fans
Episode Description
Episode play icon
Congressional candidate Sam Husseini and talking NBA over-unders
Episode Description
Episode play icon
Anti-Trans Bigots Try To Divide/Destroy WNBA
Episode Description
Episode play icon
LeBron in Philly?!?!
Episode Description
Episode play icon
Did Trump Doom the US Men at the World Cup? / Edge of Sports
Episode Description
Episode play icon
At Long Last, the Knicks Make History
Episode Description
Search Results placeholder

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Subscribe
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 the author of a new book, The People's Historian: The Outsized Life of Howard Zinn.

More from The Nation

El Salvador Deploys Troops to Haiti, UN Ends Western Sahara Mission, Israeli Opposition Moves to Oust Netanyahu

El Salvador Deploys Troops to Haiti, UN Ends Western Sahara Mission, Israeli Opposition Moves to Oust Netanyahu El Salvador Deploys Troops to Haiti, UN Ends Western Sahara Mission, Israeli Opposition Moves to Oust Netanyahu

Danny and Derek unpack the week’s global news, from Iran and Israel to tensions in East Africa, Ukraine peace talks, European protests, and developments in Venezuela and Haiti.

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

Abdul El-Sayed during an election-night watch party on November 4, 2026, in Detroit, Michigan.

Emergency Election Episode Emergency Election Episode

Matt, Aaron, and Smucker discuss Democrats’ election victories, Zohran Mamdani’s political influence, and the emerging field of potential 2028 presidential candidates.

Jonathan Smucker, Matt DaSilva, and Aaron Regunberg

James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa at a Whataburger after an election-night watch party on November 3, 2026, in Austin, Texas.

Our Historic Victories and How We Won Our Historic Victories and How We Won

On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols talks about what we won and how we won on Tuesday, and Harold Meyerson analyzes the voters and the votes. What we won this week,…

Podcast / Start Making Sense

Theodor Adorno on May 28, 1968, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

How the Right Invented “Cultural Marxism”—With A.J.A. Woods How the Right Invented “Cultural Marxism”—With A.J.A. Woods

A.J.A. Woods joins Danny and Derek to trace the history of the “cultural Marxism” conspiracy theory, its antisemitic roots, and its influence on today’s anti-woke politics.

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks during a “Defend the Vote” rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, on August 28, 2026.

The Story of Justice Democrats—With Usamah Andrabi The Story of Justice Democrats—With Usamah Andrabi

Usamah Andrabi of Justice Democrats joins Fighting Fascism to reflect on the 2026 elections, progressive victories, and the resurgence of the American left.

Aaron Regunberg, Matt DaSilva, and Jonathan Smucker

Reparations as a Climate Solution—With Brea Baker

Reparations as a Climate Solution—With Brea Baker Reparations as a Climate Solution—With Brea Baker

“Those who own the land get to be decision makers over what happens to the land. They get to decide whether they‘re gonna frack and how much they’re going to pollute.”

Shilpi Chhotray and Mindy Ramaker

x