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For Khirey Walker ’11, sport is more than competition — it’s a lens to explore race, politics, media, identity and society. That idea forms the foundation of Playing in the USA, a course that the assistant professor of sport management has taught the past three summers.

“On its face, it’s a sport literature course,” says Walker, an assistant professor of sport management. “But I take it a little bit further.”

The course centers around a text titled “The ABCs for College Athletes,” with each letter — A for Autonomy, B for Business, C for Communication — offering a new discussion point. Paired with longform articles, blog posts and media clips, these materials spark rich classroom discussions. One day students might analyze a Stephen A. Smith rant; another day, they’re critiquing a social media trend or reading a provocative Deadspin article.

“We talk about the text or the segment, but also the students’ lived experiences,” Walker says. “It allows us to have meaningful conversations.”

For most students in the course, many of whom are first-year student-athletes, Playing in the USA is their first college course. Walker makes it rigorous yet accessible, with quizzes, group presentations and emphasis on communication and critical thinking.

“Some of them feel like they know what sport is,” he says. “But even in their own sport, there are so many things they don’t know yet or understand. So, it’s an opportunity to show them this is bigger than your viewpoint — so let’s talk about it.”

As the course examines topics like social media, Walker encourages students to think critically about how they use digital platforms — not just for personal expression, but as part of their public identity. In today’s evolving landscape of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), student-athletes are challenged to view themselves as brands and present themselves accordingly.

For Walker, the power of that first college classroom experience isn’t theoretical; it shaped his own path. An ���ϲ����� alumnus, he took his first ���ϲ����� class the day after graduating high school. The course with longtime ���ϲ����� faculty members Joyce Davis and Eric Hall left a lasting impact and later inspired him to teach. “It was such a great opportunity for me to learn what college classrooms were like,” he says.

Today, Walker brings that same mindset to his summer offering. He focuses on engagement from the moment students walk in, often fresh from workouts and carrying the same lunch item every day. The routine builds familiarity and helps Walker foster trust before class begins.

“It’s about helping students grow and setting the stage for what lies ahead,” Walker says.

About the Professor

Assistant Professor Khirey Walker ’11 joined the Department of Sport Management in 2022. The former Phoenix defensive lineman now serves as a broadcast analyst alongside Taylor Durham for ���ϲ����� football games.

Recommended Materials

“The ABCs for College Athletes: A Practical Guide to College Sports” by Briana DuBose