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In this article we examine sport and recreation's collaborative potential. We begin by identifying some differences between the two fields of study and by acknowledging what heretofore have been some inherent incompatibilities. We discuss how these differences and incompatibilities might be overcome through a paradigm shift based on the fields' common appreciation of the importance of play. We then demonstrate the collaborative potential by illustrating the relevance of play to ameliorating the pervasive obesity problem confronting contemporary society. We conclude by suggesting that an alliance between sport and recreation may result in synergistic effects that strengthen their respective standing within higher education by enhancing contributions to public policy formation, opening new avenues for research, increasing opportunities for research funding, and improving academic offerings.

This paper challenges rhe co nvent io nal wisdom of departments of parks and rec reation raking spo rt management under their "wing." Based on a review of the sport management literature and a polling of s port management and park and recreation ed ucato rs, we argue that departments of parks and recreation are bur temporary refuges for migrarory sport management programs that eventually will want to build their ow n "nests." Efforts to accommodate sport management only se rve co undermine the mission of academ ic programs in parks and recreation by sapping resou rces, comp romis ing the educat ion of park and recreation majors, and erod ing pa rk and recreation facu lty members' sense of p rofessiona l purpose.