Huddle-up: a phenomenological approach to understanding the impact of intercollegiate athletic participation on the academic socialization of male revenue-generating student-athletes

UnrestrictedThe effect of intercollegiate athletic participation has received considerable attention. A void exists in the examination of the academic socialization student-athletes face due to their participation in sports. This study specifically focuses on male student-athletes in revenue-generating sports, men's football and basketball, as the media attention, popularity, and pressure to win creates a unique environment. The impact of the: (1) athletic subculture; (2) academic and campus culture; and (3) non-athletic and community culture on revenue-generating student-athletes at a Division I institution will be highlighted.; Qualitative research methods used explores the socialization experience of 24 revenue-generating student-athletes at a prestigious Division I institution. Using frameworks of social learning theory and stereotype threat, face-to-face semi-structure interviews were conducted. The data collected from these interviews produced four distinctive themes: (1) academic value added through intercollegiate athletics; (2) the role of self and support of others; (3) student-athlete identity conflict; and (4) the big business of college athletes.; The findings provide insight into the impact subcultures of higher education have on the academic socialization of the participants. Additionally, results aid the development of national and institutional policy aimed at creating a positive academic experience for student-athletes. Most importantly, this study underscores the impact of intercollegiate athletics has on access to higher education, academic success, and the socialization to the collegiate environment