The experiences of students who highly identify with their university’s sports team: A phenomenological analysis

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2017

Publication Title

College Student Affairs Journal

Volume

2

Issue

35

First page number:

29

Last page number:

43

Abstract

Intercollegiate athletics have become well-entrenched in American higher education. This phenomenological analysis sought to discover the experiences of students who highly identify with their university’s marquee sports team. Students who are highly identified with Desert University’s men’s basketball team were interviewed. Utilizing social identity theory as a lens, students’ experiences were captured by five overarching themes: (a) unity and connectivity, (b) pride and good feelings, (c) characteristics of the ingroup, (d) ingroup and outgroups, and (e) emotional and psychological reactions to the game.

Language

eng

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