Skipping Class: Investigating Class Management In Princeton University Varsity Sports Teams

Abstract

This study explores the dynamics of the student-athlete experience at Princeton University by investigating the relationship between social class and social relations. By interviewing eight members of the men’s varsity football team and eight members of the men’s varsity lacrosse team at Princeton University I sought to answer the question: do sports teams at Princeton provide environments for cross-class relations that are equalizing? The interviews uncovered four unexpected findings and supported one of my initial hypotheses. Class-based homophily, exclusion activities, and class awareness emphasize the prevalence of social class in the ‘locker-room experiences’ of student-athletes at Princeton. However, class-forgings mechanisms demonstrated by both teams provide an example for other campus organizations on how to build community on top of difference. The findings support the notion that both class inclusion and class exclusion practices exist. The continued investigation of class on collegiate campuses is vital to ensuring each student, irrespective of their social class origins, has a fulfilling collegiate experience.