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ETD Abstract Container

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Framing deviance in intercollegiate division I football: a case study of Maurice Clarett and the Ohio State University

Dusek, Laura M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1399635097

Abstract Details

2006, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Sociology.
Few sociological studies have addressed the association between deviance in Division I athletic departments and the problems of public impression management faced by the individuals who comprise these athletic departments and, subsequently, the universities with which they are affiliated. To examine the processes of public impression management and the management of deviance in sport, I conducted a content analysis of newspaper articles concerning the recent events involving Maurice Clarett and The Ohio State University. This study seeks to explain how Maurice Clarett’s reputation as a deviant became solidified and how OSU successfully managed deviance through media coverage of the controversy. Additionally, I attempt to illustrate how the Clarett story supports the Durkheimian perspective of how deviance can be functional. Using Lexis-Nexis Academic database, I obtained data on 3693 articles published between January 2003 and September 2005 in U.S. newspapers. A quantitative analysis of the full dataset was conducted in order to examine the breadth of coverage and patterns of coverage across time and space. This portion of the analysis was followed by a qualitative analysis of a sample of 100 articles published in opinion leader newspapers, which provide insight into the specific frames and counter-frames put forth by the various actors and reputational entrepreneurs involved in the controversy. In line with the principles of combative frame analysis and reputational analysis, media framing of the Clarett story led to the construction and solidification of Maurice Clarett’s deviant reputation. This was due to Clarett’s lack of strategy in communicating with the media as well as the success of more experienced and powerful reputational entrepreneurs in framing Clarett as a deviant. Findings also indicate that Ohio State successfully managed deviance through effectively framing and counter-framing the events of the story. Additionally, the Clarett controversy supports Durkheim’s theory of deviance, exemplifying the functions of Clarett’s deviance for the university, the NCAA, the NFL, and the broader sports community.
Timothy Jon Curry (Advisor)
75 p.
Sociology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Dusek, L. M. (2006). Framing deviance in intercollegiate division I football: a case study of Maurice Clarett and the Ohio State University [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1399635097

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Dusek, Laura . Framing deviance in intercollegiate division I football: a case study of Maurice Clarett and the Ohio State University. 2006. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1399635097.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Dusek, Laura . "Framing deviance in intercollegiate division I football: a case study of Maurice Clarett and the Ohio State University." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1399635097

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1399635097
247
© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.