Brooke Riley
Reagan Faust
By: Reagan Faust & Brooke Riley
Since the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies and the transfer portal, which have created new opportunities for student-athletes to monetize and transfer between institutions, college athletics has begun to resemble a professional sport environment. Thus, expectations surrounding their roles and responsibilities have also shifted. Student-athletes are not only competitors but also public representatives of their schools, which raises an important question: Should they be required to interact with the crowd at the end of each game, regardless of the outcome?
This question was explored in class through a debate format. The discussion prompted reflection on the core values of contemporary college sport and how those values should shape our approach to it. The debate generated thoughtful views on whether college basketball players should be “required” to engage/interact with the fans after every game. Though initial opinions were divided, the class ultimately arrived at a conclusion outside of the binary: the answer is situational. This raises a further question of what specific conditions should determine when such interaction is expected or appropriate.
The debate led us to identify two major dimensions of athletics: business and community. Some advanced their point by arguing that sport is mainly driven by commercial interests and that maximizing athletes’ performance should be the priority, while others stressed its foundation in community engagement. However, these perspectives are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they operate as overlapping logics that shape expectations placed on student-athletes. Understanding this relationship suggests that college basketball players should, at least to some extent, be expected to interact with fans after games, while also considering athletes’ well-being.
From a community standpoint, fan engagement is essential in sustaining college athletics. Fans dedicate their time, energy, and money to support their team. After a game, they likely feel just as strongly about a win or a loss as players themselves. When athletes take the time to wave, acknowledge the crowd, or show appreciation, it strengthens the relationship between the team and its supporters. This connection increases the likelihood that fans will continue to attend games and support the program. In contrast, leaving the court without acknowledgement can generate a sense of distance between players and the community that consistently shows up to support them.
From a business perspective, interacting with fans can also be understood as part of athletes’ public role. College athletics often prepare athletes for professional environments, where acknowledging fans is a common expectation. Thus, learning to engage with supporters contributes to the development of skills in public presence and composure. At the same time, some may argue that requiring such interaction places an additional burden on athletes who already face significant demand. While this concern is valid, the expectation itself may not require extensive time or effort, especially when framed as brief and situational rather than constant or enforced. However, these expectations also raise questions about emotional labor, as athletes may be expected to manage and display certain emotions regardless of their personal experience in that moment.
The final home game of the men’s basketball team drew 4,230 spectators, a number that reflects a consistent level of community support. Most of those seated in Beasley are local community members and youth who have remained committed despite the rapid changes at WSU and across the broader college sport landscape. Their continued presence demonstrates that college athletics are sustained not only by performance but by community investment. For this reason, player interaction with fans should not be viewed as an obligation, but as a reasonable and meaningful expectation. Even a small gesture of acknowledgement recognizes the people who continue to show up, reinforcing the connection between athletes and the community that supports them.
About the student authors
Reagan is a sophomore, majoring in Sport Management. She currently serves as a student manager for the men’s basketball team.
Brooke is a sophomore, majoring in Sport Management. She currently serves as a student manager for the women’s basketball team.