Chasing Paper: A qualitative systems analysis of the tensions between money, diplomas, and learning in high profile intercollegiate athletics

Abstract

At the heart of the academic issues embedded within intercollegiate sports are the tensions between institutional academic prestige, athletic department revenue, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association ’ s (NCAA ’ s) desire to defend the ideals of the amateur student athlete. This qualitative study focuses on the affordances and constraints acting on “ special admits ” in high profile sports during their first year at a University. Participant observation data are triangulated with interviews with seven first-year football players at the beginning, middle, and end of the academic year, and 12 staff members throughout the year. Utilizing “Figured Worlds ” and Activity Theory frameworks, this study explores the role of athlete academic centers as hybrid spaces and addresses a current gap in the literature by developing a systems – level analysis of athlete experiences that incorporates NCAA policy.