Today's episode is SO MUCH FUN! We say that every week, and it's true!  Today we catch up with recent Ph.D. grad and now alum Dr. Sam Hakim who is currently an instructor of sports communication in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences at Clemson University. We break it all down as it relates to fan identity, sports fandom, and the way our own identity can be shaped by the athletes we have positive (and negative) interactions with...you'll hear a lot more on that in today's episode.  Sam tells us the story about his very non-linear path into academia, but also breaks down how certain individuals, more specifically a professor, really helped shape Sam's decision to come to UA to get a Ph.D. But, more importantly, it was his work with current faculty within the College of Communication and Information Sciences like Dr. Andy Billings and Dr. Darrin Griffin, who really helped him bring shape to his outstanding research program.  If you like sports, you'll love today's episode. Even if you don't like sports, you'll like today's episode because Sam has so much to say about the intersection between who we are as individuals, the way we interact with athletes and teams in a mediated context or in person and how and why those interactions matter. You'll even hear a pretty funny story about Dan Marino. You have to tune in to hear it. 
To follow Sam on Twitter: @samyhak
To follow us on Twitter: @ICIRAlabama

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