From Boys to Men: An Interpretive Ethnography of College Football © 2017 Jonathan Mays M.S.E., University of Kansas, 2014 B.A., Lawrence University, 2011 Submitted to the graduate degree program in Sport Management and the Graduate Faculty of the University of Kansas in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Dr. Jordan Bass, Chair Dr. Aaron Clopton Dr. Brian Gordon Dr. Bruce Frey Dr. Sheahon Zenger ii Date Defended: 16 February 2017 The dissertation committee for Jonathan Mays certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: From Boys to Men: An Interpretive Ethnography of College Football Dr. Jordan Bass, Chair Date Approved: February 16, 2017 iii ABSTRACT This dissertation consists of an interpretive ethnography grounded in a circuit of culture framework. The ethnography was conducted on and written about the Midwest State Mustang’s (a pseudonym) football program, one of the most successful programs at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level over the past half-decade. The researcher immersed himself within the culture of Mustang football for an entire calendar year, attending team functions such as practices, workouts, meetings, social events, and games. The term, culture, within college football programs has been used as an all-encompassing buzz word; the present dissertation aims to apply academic theory and definition to the complex concept of culture. Using the circuit of culture model as a guide to understanding culture as a fluid process occurring through the production, representation, and consumption of cultural products, the researcher further implements a multi-level (institutional, organizational, and individual) exploration of culture based in various academic research areas. Literature from institutional theory, organizational culture, organizational politics, organizational justice, political skill, and motivation and inspiration are all implemented to support the circuit of culture framework. This dissertation aims to identify ways in which members of Mustang football produce, represent, and consume cultural products, in addition to the process of cultural learning that new members experience. The results are conveyed in the form of narrative ethnography, written in the first person to convey to the reader the lived experience of the researcher during his year-long research endeavor. The unprecedented access granted to the researcher allowed for rich and plentiful data that grants an extensive and comprehensive analysis of a captivating and complex cultural setting. iv To Aaron, your influence on the [Mustangs] lives on. I hope I have done them justice. ----- To Grandpa, thanks for … everything. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I try, but oftentimes fail, to live my life according to four guiding principles: Gratitude, humility, work ethic, and success. If this were included in my literature review, the previous sentence would read: I try, but oftentimes fail, to live my life according to four guiding principles: Gratitude, humility, work ethic, and success (Zenger, 2012). These four principles are best thought to occur in a circuit. An attitude of gratitude lends hand to humility after realization that your accomplishments are futile without the help of others. In turn, humility leads to a greater desire for hard work to atone for your own shortcomings and limitations. Ultimately, an elite work ethic translates to success in any endeavor. The circuit both closes and commences after coming to the realization that your own talent and abilities contributed only minimally to your success, and you once again find yourself grateful for all of the wonderful people in your life. I consider the completion of this dissertation to be a great success. As such, I am grateful towards many individuals for their direct or indirect assistance, humbled by the help and support I have received, and dedicated to pursuing my future endeavors with an unmatched work ethic to ensure that their support has been worthwhile. It is my hope that, because thanking you in these pages will undoubtedly fall short of my intentions, I will find a way to adequately do so in the days, months, and years to come. To Dr. Jordan Bass, you have provided me with guidance, much needed constructive criticism, and confidence to pursue what I initially viewed as an insurmountable task. You trusted me to approach this project in an unusual way, pushed me to step outside my comfort zone, and offered the timeliest of help along the way. More importantly, I am grateful for the times spent not discussing this dissertation. In short, thank you for your friendship. vi To my committee members, Dr. Aaron Clopton, Dr. Brian Gordon, Dr. Bruce Frey, and Dr. Sheahon Zenger, you have each contributed to my academic and professional career to a point where I would not be here without each of your guidance. Dr. Clopton, it is impossible to leave your office in a bad mood. The first graduate-level paper I was handed back in class simply read, in red ink, ‘Please see me.’ After shortly considering alternative career paths, you quickly and successfully instilled confidence in me by suggesting I consider pursuing my PhD. Dr. Gordon, your enthusiasm for research in our field is contagious, and your unorthodox lefty jumper is darn near unstoppable. I hope for your sake that the Cubs don’t go 108 years before another World Series. Dr. Frey, after my comprehensive exam defense you pulled me aside and sincerely told me that you believe in my ability to be successful in whatever career path I choose. I assure you that those words were taken to heart. Dr. Zenger, you are truly a special leader in college athletics, the best professional mentor I could have asked for, and a great friend. Thank you for giving me a job and a wife. To Jane Widger-Fulton, you make a difference in the lives of student-athletes each and every day. I admire your compassion and kind-heartedness. One time in three years you were stern with me: [Molly] had just taken her job in [Nebraska] and you insisted I stay in Kansas until I graduate. Thank you for that. To Tim Schlosser, thank you for challenging my beliefs and pushing me to pursue my passion. For someone that took seven years to obtain his master’s degree you are among the smartest people I know. To Cheryl Harrod, thank you for putting up with me the last three years. You have been the best Lawrence Mom I could have asked for. vii To Claire Schaeperkoetter, you have simultaneously been the best and the worst person to share this experience with. You have driven me to keep pace with you, encouraged me in times of frustration, and lamented with me over this seemingly never-ending process. However, you are so smart and talented that I feel guilty to be receiving the same degree as you, and being compared to you is preposterously unfair. To my family, you are everything to me. [Molly], in sticking with the theme of this project, I undoubtedly outkicked my coverage. You push me to be my best even from 421 miles away. I could not be more proud to call you my wife. Mom, again in theme, you are the toughest person I know. You have always bestowed on me a love that I could never repay you for. Nana, you have believed in me since day one. Your encouraging text messages always seem to come at just the right time. Jenny, Dave, and [Nathan], it took a while to find you, but I couldn’t be happier to finally have a sister and brothers. [Randy] and [Laylah], once I finally learned to water ski you accepted me into your family wholeheartedly. For that, I am grateful. To the rest of my family, if you are reading this that shows how much you care about me. Thank you and I love you. To the [Mustangs], you did not disappoint me. I came to study a winning culture and that is what I got. Thanks for letting me be a small part of the brotherhood. ----- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Philippians 4-13 viii TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures ................................................................................................................................. xi Key Terms ...................................................................................................................................... xii Key Players ................................................................................................................................... xiv Author’s Note................................................................................................................................ xvi 1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 1 A BRIEF HISTORY OF AMERICAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL .............................................. 3 The Commercialization of Football ................................................................................... 5 The Implications of Football’s Violent Nature .................................................................. 6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ............................................................................................................ 7 MIDWEST STATE UNIVERSITY ............................................................................................... 8 MIDWEST STATE ATHLETICS .................................................................................................. 9 MIDWEST STATE FOOTBALL ................................................................................................. 10 COACH MURPHY .....................................................................................................................