Jake Kucek
Assistant Professor
Background
Jake Kucek, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Communication at John Carroll University. He teaches courses in integrated marketing communication, public relations, sports communication, and social media analytics, with an emphasis on applied, experiential learning.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Kucek’s expertise centers on integrated marketing communication, public relations, and sports communication, with a focus on how organizations, athletes, and brands use digital and social media to engage audiences and shape reputation. Drawing on professional experience in sales and client-facing roles, he brings a practical understanding of persuasion, relationship building, and strategic communication to both professional and nonprofit contexts.
Research Interests
Dr. Kucek’s research examines the intersection of sport, media, and strategic communication, with a focus on how audiences engage with athletes, teams, and organizations across digital and social media platforms. His scholarship explores topics including corporate social responsibility in sport, fan identification, esports spectatorship, second-screen media use, and athlete activism. Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, his work contributes to understanding how communication shapes identity, engagement, and social meaning within contemporary sport and media environments.
Education
PhD., Kent State University
M.A., Youngstown State University
B.A., Youngstown State University
Courses Taught
COM 3442: Communication in Sales and Marketing
COM 3692: Social Media Strategy & Analytics
COM 4552: Media Theory
COMM 4732: Nonprofit Marketing
COM 4742: Event Planning
COM 4722: IMC Campaigns
COM 5160: Writing & SEO
COM 5300: Capstone
Publications
Peer Reviewed Articles
Humphries, Z. & Kucek, J. (2019). Examining soccer fan performances through performative sport fandom theory: How fans of the spurs perform their fandom. Qualitative Research Reports in Communication, 1-8. DOI: 10.1080/17459435.2019.1685585
Tang, T., Kucek, J., & Toepfer, S. (2020). Active within structures: Predictors of esports gameplay and spectatorship. Communication & Sport, DOI: 10.1177/2167479520942740
Kucek, J. (2020). Resource mobilization’s effect on the social construction of identity on Twitter: A case study of J.J. Watt’s Hurricane Harvey relief. Communication & Sport. DOI: 10.1177/2167479520937250
Tang, T., Cooper, R., & Kucek, J. (2021). Gendered esports: Predicting why men and women play and watch esports games. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media,
https://doi.org/10.1080/08838151.2021.1958815
Kucek, J. (2025). Team identification as a critical background characteristic mediating sport consumers’ second screening uses and gratifications. International Journal of Sports Communication, 1-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.2025-0176
Book Chapters/Articles
Coombs, D. S. & Kucek, J. (2019). Being good neighbors: Aston Villa Football Club, community engagement, and corporate social relations. Playing on an Uneven Field. McFarland and Co. Publishers.
Kucek, J., Humphreys, Z., Earnheardt, A. C., & Armfield, G. G. (2019). The growth of sports apps. The ESPN After Effect. Peter Lang Publishing.
Maribito, T. & Kucek, J. (2019). Sports Video Games (SVGs) in the eSports Landscape. eSports: Understanding the World of Competitive Video Games. Understanding Esports. Lexington Books
Kucek, J. (2021). Communicating corporate social responsibility at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Retrieved from: https://olympicanalysis.org/section-4/communicating-corporate-social-responsibility-at-the-tokyo-2020-olympic-games/
Kucek, J. (2024). Beyond the podium: The role of protest at the Olympic Games and rule 50. Retrieved from: https://olympicanalysis.org/paris-2024/beyond-the-podium-the-role-of-protest-at-the-olympic-games-and-rule-50/
