Analysis Of The OU Men's Basketball Team

The OU men’s basketball team is a monochronic, masculine, collectivistic, and individualistic co-culture. They come together as a team, but each player has their own identity attached to this co-culture in their own way. One of the teammates, Bob, was kind enough to provide answers to a few questions that will bring a little more understanding to how the players view themselves within their co-culture. All of the members of this co-culture are college students at the University of Oklahoma and range from freshmen to seniors. It is a masculine co-culture because it is a men’s team.

It is expected that the questions answered would differ from player to player because they have different values and perceptions, but there is sure to be some similarity. When asked why Bob joined the team, he basically said that OU was his dream school and why wouldn’t someone go to their dream school if it was being paid for by them playing a game they love? (Bob, personal communication, March 2, 2014) Playing a professional sport definitely requires dedication, one cannot expect to practice once or twice a week and do the best that they can. After going to a couple of the practices, one can tell that these guys put hard time into doing what they love! When asked how much time was spent practicing, Bob said about two-three hours a day. Two hours a day adds up to fourteen a week, and those fourteen hours probably do not take into account the time spent at actual games, driving to the away games, or working out to stay in shape. These things indirectly affect each players free time and they are willing to sacrifice their time for their co-culture. When asked how his life would change if he did not belong to this co-culture, Bob said “I would definite...

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...ourse, not everybody has to be friends, but getting along with one’s teammates probably helps. Lastly, Bob was asked how important it was for him to be on the team and he said “I have been so thankful to be a part of this team for the past 4 years and to be a part of the rebuilding of this program. OU is getting back to its winning ways, and it is such an honor to be involved in laying that foundation for the future!” (Bob, personal communication, March 2, 2014) All of these guys are there because they are doing what they love to do, which is play basketball. It is important for each and every one of those players, and it is nice to see how much effort and dedication they put into doing what they love. Even the alumni players probably look back and still identify the OU men’s basketball team as part of their co-culture, even if they are not currently on the team.