Making Meaning of "Meme"-ing: Athletic Scandals and Institutional Perceptions

• In Event: 64.089 - Sheraton Roundtable 12 - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 64.089-5 - The Role of Discourse in Shaping Policy, Space, and Performance in Higher Education

Abstract

This study examines how memes shape the narrative around college athletic scandals and provide insight into fan behavior and institutional relationships in times of college/university athletic crisis. In this research, the process by which memes are created, shared via social media, and understood by campus and community populations are explored. These explorations provide insight on the impact of athletic related scandals in higher education, the impact they have on institutional perceptions and related fan behavior and the relationship between organizational apologia and collegiate sport culture.

Authors

• Lori Pindar, Clemson University

• Cherese Fine, Clemson University