Kevin Thompson

Kevin Thompson is a faculty member at the University of South Carolina, serving as an Instructor in the Department of English Language and Literature within the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. His academic focus lies at the intersection of rhetoric, sports, and public memory, with a strong emphasis on athlete rights and social movements.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Communication Studies from The University of Alabama, specializing in Public Speaking, Rhetoric of Sports, Public Memory, Contemporary Critical Theory, Argumentation and Debate, and Athlete Civil Rights and Social Movements.

Research Interests:

Thompson's research critically examines how public discourse shapes and is shaped by sports culture. He explores rhetorical constructions of athlete identity, the memorialization of sports figures, and the broader implications of sports narratives on social justice and labor rights. His work often bridges communication theory with practical applications in media and public advocacy.

Recent Publications:

His 2022 publications reflect a consistent engagement with contemporary issues in sports communication, particularly focusing on athlete agency, media representation, and labor rights. Themes include mental health disclosure by elite athletes, crisis communication in professional sports, and the role of collective action in shaping athlete narratives.

Current Projects:

• Transforming his dissertation on Paul 'Bear' Bryant into a book examining public memory and myth-making in college football.
• Investigating rhetorical hauntologies of NBA star Nikola Jokic to argue for expanded athlete privacy rights.