WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Home court advantage is often referred to in sports, but does it really exist? According to author, Tom D. Freijo, Ph.D., author of a new book, “Not in Our House! A Decade of Home Court Advantage in American Sports” (ISBN: 978-0-9824108-0-6), it exists, but not in the way most people think it does. Published by Sports Lit (www.SportsLit.net), the book begins by addressing why the concept of home court advantage is really somewhat misunderstood.
“Most of what you hear and read about home court advantage is based on either gut feelings or on an assessment of a team’s success at home. But, this is only part of the picture,” explains Freijo. “Real home court advantage is the difference between success at home and success away. When you look at it this way, the picture changes dramatically.”
Many of Freijo’s findings are quite surprising and coaches and others are starting to weigh in.
Steve Spurrier, the head football coach for South Carolina’s Gamecocks, says, “A lot of people talk about home court advantage, but ‘Not in Our House! A Decade of Home Advantage in American Sports,’ does a lot more than talk; it provides actual statistics to show which sports and teams have it and which don’t – and how much.”
Spurrier adds that, “Dr. Freijo has done a great job of laying it all out in detail; I was amazed by his findings!”
“Not in Our House!” provides in-depth analyses, comparisons, and a peek into the amount of home court advantage for all the teams in the MLB, the NBA, and the NFL. It also looks at the college versions of these sports in five major college conferences: SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Pac-10, and the Big 12.
In these analyses and comparisons, the author dispels several long-held, but untrue, home advantage myths. For instance, Rupp Arena, contrary to popular belief, does not provide the Kentucky Wildcats’ basketball team with much of a home advantage.
The amount of home court advantage for women’s college basketball teams in comparison to their men’s counterparts is also revealed.
About the Author
Freijo, who has a doctorate in research methodology from the University of Florida, is a former Full Professor of Measurement and Research at the University of South Florida. A native of Tampa, he now lives in Winter Haven, FL where he served as Mayor Pro Temp.
To schedule an interview, or to request a review copy, call: Dr. Tom Freijo at 863-289-0665; or e-mail him at: Freijo@SportsLit.net.
For detailed information about the book, visit: www.SportsLit.net. The book is available on the Sports Lit Web site as well as Amazon.com.
