Adam Berg

Bio & Education

Adam teaches courses related to the history, sociology, and philosophy of sport, exercise, and physical activity. His research employs historical and philosophical methods to explore the intersections of American sport, culture, politics, and meaning. He is the author of The Olympics that Never Happened: Denver ’76 and the Politics of Growth, which recounts how powerful politicians, business leaders, and a diverse cast of activists used a thwarted Olympics to shape the state of Colorado and the city of Denver. Adam has also published articles on the metaphysics and value of games and ethics in sports. He is an active member of the North American Society for Sport History and the International Association for the Philosophy of Sport. He previously taught courses at Pennsylvania State University, California State University at Fullerton, and Manhattanville College. Adam received his master’s degree and Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a specialization in Sport History and Sport Philosophy from Pennsylvania State University. He received his B.S. in Sport Management from Ithaca College.

Courses Taught

• KIN 330 Critical Analyses for a Physically Active Society
• KIN 350 History of American Sport
• KIN 352 Philosophy of Sport
• KIN 630 Sport and Society – Social Inequalities
• KIN 653 History of American Sport and Exercise Science

SCHOLARLY & PROFESSIONAL KEYWORDS

American Sport History, Olympic History, Philosophy of Sport, Ethics in Sport, Philosophy of the Body

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Berg, A. (Accepted). The Politics of the Metaphysics of Sport. Sport, Ethics and Philosophy. Berg, A., (2025). What is the Future of Tackle Football? Kinesiology Review 14, 2.  Berg, A. (2025). Why have North American Sport Philosophers Ignored Race?. Journal of the Philosophy of Sport 52, 2: 25-40. Berg, A. (2023). Non-Ideal Theory, Cultural Studies, and the Transgender Inclusion Debate. Journal of the Philosophy of Sport 50, 3: 419-437. Berg, A., Duffy, D., & DuBois, S. (2023). Elegant Violence: The Promise and Peril of a ‘Feminine’ Sport Ethic. Sport in Society 26, 2: 335-349. Berg, A. (2023). Playing the Populist: Trump, Football, and the Long Southern Strategy. Journal of Sport History 50, 2: 206-225.Berg, A. (2023). The Olympics that Never Happened: Denver ’76 and the Politics of Growth (University of Texas Press).