Northern Illinois University Press has announced that one of its recently published books, “Before the Eyes of the World: Mexico and the 1968 Olympic Games,” by Kevin B. Witherspoon, was honored with the 2009 North American Society for Sport History (NASSH) Book Award in Sport History.
The Book Award is presented for a distinguished book written in English on any aspect of sport history. The announcement was made May 25 at the NASSH annual conference. Witherspoon is an assistant professor of history at Lander University in South Carolina.
“Before the Eyes of the World” is an ambitious and comprehensive study that highlights the intersection of sports with the historical, political and social climate of 1968. It was published in July 2008, marking the 40th anniversary of the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, which will long be remembered as fraught with discord.
“Not only is this book important to U.S. history and Mexican history, but also to sports history. I am very pleased that the NASSH recognized Witherspoon’s contribution,” said J. Alex Schwartz, director of NIU Press.
Witherspoon’s award-winning book can be purchased through NIU Press by calling (815) 753-1075, by ordering online at www.niupress.niu.edu or by visiting a bookstore.