Narrative Web

Big Ten

Collegiate Athletic Conference

Description

The Big Ten operates as a collegiate athletic conference that groups universities such as Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Kennison State for interschool competitions. C.J. identifies these member schools during her emergency press briefing on the pipe bomb attack at Kennison State's swim facility, where the Hawkeyes women's team hosted a meet against the others. This affiliation underscores the bombing's impact across conference rivals, drawing together student-athletes in shared competition now shattered by violence.

Event Involvements

Events with structured involvement data

2 events
S4E2 · 20 Hours in America Part II
Press Briefing: From Banter to Bombing

The Big Ten is invoked to explain the meet's participants and thereby expand the bombing's perceived reach — multiple member institutions are implicated, which raises the political and emotional stakes for the administration.

Active Representation

Referenced by C.J. as the athletic conference linking the affected teams; no spokesman is present.

Power Dynamics

Cultural/institutional: the conference is affected but not an actor in federal response; its stature amplifies the sorrow and public visibility.

Institutional Impact

The conference's involvement increases national attention and pressures federal actors to provide resources and authoritative responses.

Internal Dynamics

Likely internal coordination among member athletic directors and legal/communications staff to respond to the crisis (implied).

Organizational Goals
Protect student-athletes and coordinate support for affected institutions. Manage public communications and preserve the integrity of conference competition policies in aftermath.
Influence Mechanisms
Reputation and national visibility of member schools. Institutional relationships with law enforcement and public safety officials at member campuses.
S4E2 · 20 Hours in America Part II
Kennison State Bombing — C.J.'s Emergency Briefing

The Big Ten is invoked by C.J. to contextualize the meet and the cross-institutional impact of the bombing; it frames the event as affecting a regional athletic conference rather than a single campus.

Active Representation

Referenced verbally by C.J. as the conference affiliation of the teams involved.

Power Dynamics

Non-governmental but influential in coordinating member schools and shaping public attention; collaborative with institutions but not driving federal response.

Institutional Impact

The conference designation amplifies the tragedy beyond a single campus and raises questions about safety at collegiate events nationally.

Internal Dynamics

Pressure to act uniformly across member institutions; need to balance transparency with legal and privacy concerns.

Organizational Goals
Coordinate member schools' response and information-sharing Support affected teams and student-athletes Manage reputation and provide unified statements
Influence Mechanisms
Public statements and coordinated messaging Access to membership records and athletic staff networks