C. Keith Harrison, Suzanne Malia Lawrence, Scott Bukstein, Neza K. Janson, and Keshia Woodie Myron Rolle’s ESPN Story: A Qualitative Approach to Blog Comments Abstract There is limited research into the effects of blog communication in the area of sport. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore public blog comments to Jemele Hill's ESPN Page 2 article titled “Choosing a Rhodes Scholarship over the NFL? Now that's admirable” (January 15, 2009). Applying role conflict theory in the context of student‐athletes, Myron Rolle's plight in the world of academics and athletics serves as an extraordinary case example. Content was qualitatively coded from all 164 comments posted on the blog, which were authored by individuals (bloggers) who read Hill’s article. Bloggers engaged in dialogue about the value of academics and athletics through the lens of Myron Rolle, the quintessential scholar‐athlete. Four major themes emerged from bloggers’ comments: Amazing Accomplishment & Opportunity, Emphasis on Education in Sport, Negative Blog Comments, and Role Model. Future implications and recommendations are offered in regard to the 21 st century student‐athlete and related research.

Myron Rolle’s ESPN Story: A Qualitative Approachto Blog Comments (Harrison et al 2010)

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The purpose of this study was to explore public blog comments to Jemele Hill's ESPN Page 2 article titled “Choosing a Rhodes Scholarship over the NFL? Now that's admirable” (January 15, 2009). Applying role conflict theory in the context of student‐athletes, Myron Rolle's plight in the world of academics and athletics serves as an extraordinary case example.

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C. Keith Harrison, Suzanne Malia Lawrence, Scott Bukstein, Neza K. Janson, and Keshia Woodie

Myron Rolle’s ESPN Story: A Qualitative Approach

to Blog Comments

Abstract Thereislimitedresearchintotheeffectsofblogcommunicationintheareaofsport.Therefore,thepurposeofthisstudywastoexplorepublicblogcommentstoJemeleHill'sESPNPage2articletitled“ChoosingaRhodesScholarshipovertheNFL?Nowthat'sadmirable”(January15,2009).Applyingroleconflicttheoryinthecontextofstudent‐athletes,MyronRolle'splightintheworldofacademicsandathleticsservesasanextraordinarycaseexample.Contentwasqualitativelycodedfromall164commentspostedontheblog,whichwereauthoredbyindividuals(bloggers)whoreadHill’sarticle.BloggersengagedindialogueaboutthevalueofacademicsandathleticsthroughthelensofMyronRolle,thequintessentialscholar‐athlete.Fourmajorthemesemergedfrombloggers’comments:AmazingAccomplishment&Opportunity,EmphasisonEducationinSport,NegativeBlogComments,andRoleModel.Futureimplicationsandrecommendationsareofferedinregardtothe21stcenturystudent‐athleteandrelatedresearch.