Education Commons^™

Pragmatic Factors Of Nationally Ranked Ncaa Division Ii Men's Golf Teams: A Grounded Theory Inquiry, Ekren Miller

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) added Division II men’s golf in 1963. Since then, teams in the South/Southeast (S/SE) NCAA Region have been dominant, with the last nine of 11 national champions from schools in Florida. What are the pragmatic factors that make a top 50 nationally ranked team or an elite team in the top 25? This study had 14 head coaches of nationally ranked teams (or previous national rank) and included three former national champions in the participant sample. These coaches were interviewed individually or set into focus groups within the S/SE and Central/Midwest NCAA Regions. …

Student Athlete Or Student Employee? Considering The Future Implications Of Recent College-Athletics Decisions Regarding Employee Classification, Nathan Schmutz, Joseph Hanks

BYU Education & Law Journal

Nature often provides warning signs of oncoming danger. For example, a generally recognized phenomenon associated with a tidal wave caused by an oceanic earthquake is the major withdrawal of water resembling an extreme low tide. Universities take note, a similar phenomenon might be occurring in relation to college sports. Recent decisions might be signaling a receding of waters before a surge of litigation that results in college athletes being considered employees of the university. This paper considers recent court and administrative decisions that might be indicative of this major shift and discusses possible implications of such a change.

Using Self-Regulated Learning To Increase Academic Performance In Ncaa Student-Athletes, Lee Ann Grandison

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem in this project study is that too many student-athletes earn less than a 2.39-grade point average at the study university. The purpose of the project study was to evaluate the self-regulated learning (SRL) skills of student-athletes to determine if there was a statistical difference in skills used among academically challenged and academically successful student-athletes. The study involved using Barry Zimmerman’s theory of SRL. An experimental, descriptive research design was employed to study the SRL skills of student-athletes at the study university. Participants completed the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire to determine their study habits and SRL skills (N …

Understanding Para-Athlete Inclusion In Post-Secondary Athletics, Rayven J. Sample

Honors Theses

This qualitative study utilized thematic analysis of six interviews with elite Para-athletes who were currently enrolled at a four-year undergraduate institution and were actively competing or training in any Para-sport to understand inclusion of Para-athletes within the NCAA. This investigatory research sought to identify barriers present in the NCAA’s structure and advocate for positive change as more Para-athletes desire to access collegiate athletic resources due to increasingly higher standards of performance within Para-sport. Para-athletes discussed five key themes during interviews; “Disability Mindset” or the way athletes conceptualized their presence within the athletic environment; sources of education available to athletics staff …

Concluding Athletic Careers: Post-Athletic Transitions In The Atlantic Coast Conference, Eric Sabin, Sarah Stokowski, Chris Corr, Brennan K. Berg, Michael Hutchinson

Journal of Applied Sport Management

Due to the pervasiveness of athletic role engulfment and a salient athletic identity, collegiate athletes often experience difficulties upon conclusion of their competitive athletic career. Such engulfment and fixed athletic identity are detrimental to an athlete’s post-athletic transition. Given the role of athletic department institutional members (e.g., administrators, coaches, staff) in the formative development of collegiate athletes’ lives, athletic departments occupy an integral position to assist athletes in their post-athletic transition. To examine the practices currently implemented among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletic departments relative to holistic athlete development, semi-structured interviews were conducted with institutional members at nine ( …

Decisions, Decisions: Analyzing College Choice Amongst Ncaa Division Ii Transfer And Non-Transfer Athletes, Eric G. Kramer

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

Abstract

Many pundits and fans within college sport have exhausted an inordinate amount of time analyzing the impact of recruiting in intercollegiate athletics amidst recent regulatory changes within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The most recent changes to Division I transfer regulations have introduced a level of uncertainty about the future of college athletics. While these changes may garner significant attention for Division I revenue sport programs, recruiting plays a critical role in across all levels of competition (Nixon, et al., 2021). Yet, scant research has been conducted to determine which factors are most influential in an NCAA Division …

Student-Athlete Retention: An Analysis Of Student-Athlete Retention At A Small, Private, Highly Residential Ncaa Division Ii Institution In The Southeast, Malcolm Kendrick Reed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Retaining students in higher education is ever-changing, requiring continual evaluation and institutional commitment to ensure measures are implemented to meet the varying demands of today’s college students. Student-athletes make up a large percentage of the overall student population on many college campuses, thus, warranting further research to understand trends and factors that impact the retention of this key group of students. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that contributed to the retention of student-athletes at a small, private, highly residential NCAA Division II institution in the Southeast.

The study focused on the experiences of student-athletes at …

An Analysis Of Perceptions Of The Relationship Between The Athletic Director And Athletics’ Direct Reports In Ncaa Division Ii, Kelly P. Elliott, Beth Johansen, Amanda M. Siegrist

Journal of Applied Sport Management

The roles and responsibilities of the individual designated as the athletics’ direct report (ADR) on NCAA Division II member institution campuses are not clearly defined. The absence of clear guidelines creates the opportunity for differences in the relationships between the athletic director (AD) and the designated ADR between peer institutions. The purpose of this study was to explore the current relationship between ADs and ADRs and analyze current practices. Results indicated positive relations between ADs and ADRs on campus and that communication is key to a successful relationship. Recommendations for practitioners are discussed.

Bone Mineral Density And Body Composition Of Division Iii Ncaa Athletes At Southwestern University, Grey D. Wagner, Cole G. Peck

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

PURPOSE: To examine the variation of bone mineral density and body composition between athletes of different sports at Southwestern University. METHODS: One hundred and three Division III NCAA athletes at Southwestern University came to the kinesiology lab in a single session to complete a full body DEXA scan using a GE Lunar Prodigy Dexa Bone Densitometer. The athletes’ bone mineral density, body composition data and health history questionnaire were collected. RESULTS: There was a significant difference of t-scores among the men’s sports means (F(6,41) = 5.599, p < 0.001). There was a significant difference of t-scores among the women’s sports means (F(6, 34) = 2.879, p = 0.022). There was no significant difference of % body fat among the men’s sports means (F(6,42) = 1.787, p = 0.125). There was no significant difference of % body fat among the women’s sports means (F(6,35) = 1.301, p = 0.283). CONCLUSION: This study found a significant difference of T-scores between sports but not …

Academic Faculty Perceptions Of Student-Athletes, Jacob M. Mueller

Masters Theses

The purpose of this qualitative study was to find what perceptions did academic faculty have of student-athletes, if any, at a midsized Midwestern Division-I institution. The study addressed a gap in literature that existed of researched perceptions academic faculty members had of the student-athlete population as there was a lack of literature related to student-athletes through that lens. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Identity Theory for theoretical conceptualization of the data, the study was able to find tangible evidence for the existence of perceptions of student-athletes from academic faculty and what behaviors, exposure, and experiences related to …

Student-Athletes’ Decision-Making Process For Selecting An Academic Major, Gina S. Pearson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how collegiate student-athletes experience the decision-making process for selecting their academic major at a midsize, Division I university in the Midwest. With four participants from four different sports, this study’s results centered around four research questions: what was most important to the student-athlete when selecting a major, what challenges they ran into, what role others played in their decision-making process, and how the student-athletes’ athletic identity manifested in their decision-making for their major.

Results of this study indicated that student-athletes value the practical application to a career that their major can …

Alternative Concussion Balance Testing Between Land & Aquatic Athletes, Taylor Garcia, Bethany Metcalfe, Travis Peterson

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Sports related concussions have been a global and community health issue, with up to 3.8 million occurring in the U.S each year (Langlois et. al. 2006). Impaired postural control is one of the most common symptoms. Balance assessments have been an integral part of concussion analysis to assess if an athlete can return to play (RTP). Swimmers show significant differences in Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) performance compared to a normal population (Sugiura et. al. 2021). PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine if the SEBT (Plisky et. al. 2009) can assess differences in dynamic balance between land and aquatic …

Are There Balance Differences Between Aquatic And Land Athletes?, Bethany Metcalfe, Taylor Garcia, Travis Peterson

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Proficiency in static and dynamic balance tests is an indicator of both athletic proficiency as well as an indicator of movement deficiencies. Those movement deficiencies could be due to a neurological issue related to mild traumatic brain injury (i.e. concussion). Previous studies have studied single leg static balance using the BESS (Balance error scoring system) which is also used by the NCAA to pre-test for concussions (Riemann, 2012). Aquatic athletes could be at a predisposed disadvantage in NCAA concussion testing because there is a possibility of having differences in balance ability (as compared to land athletes) that may be mistaken …

The Madness Of March: A Quantitative Look At Cinderella Stories In The Ncaa Division I Men’S Basketball Tournament, Joseph J. Fresco

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study looked to determine if being classified as a Cinderella Story team in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, led to a statistically significant change in NCAA Division I men’s basketball spending for that team’s respective institution one, two, and three years after being labeled. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of men’s basketball spending on teams that are Cinderella Stories in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. It aims to understand how spending differs between athletic programs whose characteristics mirror those of Cinderella Stories and how expenses change before …

From Mission To Competition: The Experiences Of 10 Lds Missionary Student-Athletes Returning To Competition In The National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, Matthew J. Moore, Leslee A. Fisher, Lindsey A. Miossi, Zach T. Smith, Jacob C. Jensen,

Movement and Being: The Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sports Studies

The purpose of the current study was to explore the experiences of LDS missionary student-athletes returning to competition in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (DI). Using Consensual Qualitative Research methods (CQR; Hill, 2012) including a semi-structured interview guide, 10 DI student-athletes/returned LDS missionaries were interviewed regarding their experience (i.e., mean age of 25 years; baseball, cross-country/track and field, football, and swimming). A research team with five members constructed four domains and 16 categories representing DI student-athlete/returned LDS missionary chronological identity changes during this experience: (a) the development of an LDS missionary identity; (b) challenges associated with returning …

The Impact Of Peer Mentoring On Freshmen Student-Athlete Retention And Experience, Casey Finnell

Dissertations

Retention is a universal issue for institutions of higher education in the United States. Students face many challenges in the transition to college, which can contribute to a student’s decision to transfer. On top of the traditional obstacles faced by college freshmen, student-athletes encounter additional stressors associated with competing in intercollegiate athletics. College student-athletes must adjust to team dynamics, coaches and coaching changes, time management, and threats to athlete identity. The newly introduced NCAA transfer portal now allows student-athletes to transfer once during their undergraduate careers without losing a season of eligibility, which also impacts retention by making it easier …

An Examination Of The Underutilization Of Mental Health Resources In Collegiate Student-Athletes, Kathleen Olivia Glover

Masters Theses

Previous and developing literature indicates that collegiate student-athletes, while more susceptible to psychological problems, are underutilizing mental health resources. This project examines the aforementioned problem through the use of extensive student-athlete mental health literature to identify themes that are affecting student-athlete’s likeliness of seeking psychological services. Throughout the themes, the need for additional support from student-athlete stakeholders is presented. A workshop series to guide increased mental health literacy in student-athlete stakeholders to create opportunities to recognize signs of mental illness and form cultures that encourage the utilization of psychological services is constructed. It is anticipated that by including stakeholders in …

What Is The Experience Of An International Collegiate Athletes That Play Ncaa Division I And Ii Basketball?, Daniel Gayle

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

This paper explores the complete journey of International Collegiate Athletes (ICAs) that play basketball at a Division I or II National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) school. This study uses Schlossberg’s (1981, 1984, 1995) transition theory to establish how these athletes navigate moving into college, moving through college, and moving out of college. Through semi structured interviews, the study gives insight into the unique experiences, obstacles, pressures, and successes of ICAs, and provides implications for how the experience of ICAs attending college in the U.S. might be improved. The most important aspect for the success of an ICA at their collegiate …

Mental Health Prevalence In Ncaa Division Iii Collegiate Athletes, Katelin Valster, Kristen Cochrane-Snyman, Keith Jones, Daniel Smith

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

Stressors related to academic requisites, sport participation and pressure to perform may increase college athlete risk for mental health symptoms (Cox, Ross-Stewart, & Foltz, 2017; Sudano & Miles, 2017; Yang et al., 2007). The purpose of this study was to identify the level of clinically relevant self-reported mental health symptoms in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III athletes and variations based on sport participation (i.e., men’s or women’s athletics; team or individual sports) over a two-year period. A nonexperimental, trend study design was used. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi square test, and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) which …

Challenges That Women In Athletic Training Face In Ncaa Athletics, Madison Vargas, Andi Johnston Green

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Athletic training was once known to be a male dominated profession however in more recent years the number of females in the profession has been increasing. According to the National Athletic Trainer’s Association 55% of its members identify as being a woman. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to seek the challenges that athletic trainers who identify as a woman have/or are currently facing while working in NCAA Athletics. There are many young women out there who aspire to be an athletic trainer one day but are hesitant about joining the profession because they want to have a …

Prevalence And Differences Of Sport Concussion Symptoms And Severity Among Male And Female University Student Athletes, Tacey Howell, Kristen Mcalexander

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

The prevalence of sport concussions continues to increase among university student athletes in the United States. Earlier methods of prevention, such as the Halo and modified football and hockey helmets, have not resulted in significantly fewer sport concussions. Further, even less is known about the differences between male and female university student athletes’ concussion symptoms and severity. PURPOSE: To measure sport concussion prevalence among university student athletes and compare the severity of self-reported symptoms among university male and female student athletes. METHODS: In the Fall of 2021, a modified version of the SCAT5 (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, 5^th Edition) …

Resilience & Persistence Of First-Generation Ncaa Division I Student-Athletes: An Evaluation Of The Key Culture, Communication, & Sports Program At Colorado State University, Sarabeth Morofsky

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This program evaluation highlights the Key Culture, Communication, & Sports (KCCS) Program at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO, a learning community program dedicated to serving student-athletes. Learning communities, considered high-impact practice in higher education, have a longstanding and successful approach to supporting new college students (Mamerow & Navorro, 2014). Many of the traditional benefits of learning community participation line up closely with the needs of student-athletes (Mamerow & Navorro, 2014). A Utilization-Focused program evaluation was implemented. KCCS students and KCCS faculty and staff were interviewed to understand if and how the KCCS program was meeting its goals. The …

Thoughts On The Nil Era: An Introduction To The Special Issue, Marshall Magnusen

Journal of Applied Sport Management

The goal of this special issue is to inspire scholarship and spark conversation about NIL through a variety of “think pieces” from leading researchers. Sport scholars were invited to combine their expertise with creativity to craft compelling papers about NIL and how it may be interpreted through a variety of disciplinary lenses.

Show Me The Money! A Review Of Current Issues In The New Nil Era, Windy Dees, Beth Cianfrone, Damon Andrew

Journal of Applied Sport Management

On July 1^st, 2021, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) approved an interim policy that would allow college athletes in every state to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL). This meant student-athletes could accept money for sponsorships and endorsements and maintain their eligibility, which was previously prohibited by the intercollegiate sports governing body (The Athletic Staff, 2021). The change is positive for student-athletes and the brands looking to market through them and their active social media platforms, but it does not come without issues or challenges. The purpose of this study is to, (a) review the theory …

A Fistful Of Nil: Have We Entered A “Wild West” Recruiting Era?, Marshall Magnusen, Samuel Y. Todd

Journal of Applied Sport Management

Changes about the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy impacted the world of college sports in the summer of 2021. Emerging from the dust of this seismic event was an apparent new frontier for athletes, coaches, and universities to explore. In the eyes of many, college sports had now entered a “Wild West” frontier because of NIL, especially as it pertains to recruiting athletes. But what does that really mean, “Wild West”? And further, if such a comparison is at least somewhat accurate, are there lessons that can be learned from other sectors who likewise …

Nil “Reform” Fails To Address The Ncaa’S Biggest Issue, Richard Southall, Mark S. Nagel

Journal of Applied Sport Management

Do college sport stakeholders have the intellectual and moral courage to abandon the familiar and financially successful, but morally bankrupt and exploitative, collegiate model? The NIL "Reform," which effectively fails to address the NCAA's biggest issue, is explored in this article.

College Athletics And Disseminating Sports Betting Data, Ryan Rodenberg

Journal of Applied Sport Management

The focus of this article is the interplay between college athletics and sports betting data dissemination, a near-future friction poised for litigation given concurrent issues involving name-image-likeness (NIL) rights and concentration of college sports via mega-conferences.

Reframing The Collegiate Facilities Arms Race: The Looming Impact Of Nil And Conference Realignment, Jeffrey Petersen, Lawrence W. Judge

Journal of Applied Sport Management

Amidst the backdrop of an ongoing global pandemic, the summer of 2021 brought forth two events teetering the Division I college sport landscape at the precipice of unprecedented change due to two fundamental shifts: the first being the opening of revenue streams to collegiate athletes through use of name, image and likeness (NIL), and the second being the latest round of athletic conference realignment. With the impacts of these changes just beginning to be manifested, it is important to consider how these potentially seismic shifts in the collegiate landscape may influence existing issues of prior scholarly examination as well as …

Hidden Consequences: Examining The Impact Of Nil On Athlete Well-Being, Hailey Harris, Natasha T. Brison, Marlene A. Dixon

Journal of Applied Sport Management

With the NCAA's NIL policy changes, many athletes will likely need to solve the issue of brand management, with many of them assuming the role themselves. Taking on this role will likely lead to even more investment in their athlete identity (i.e., role engulfment), which has negative consequences for the athlete (Hatteberg, 2020). Guided by the literature on role engulfment, this article investigates the hidden effects NIL may have on collegiate athletes and their well-being, along with various branding and legal implications.

How Name, Image And Likeness “Fit” In Sport Partnerships, Lane Wakefield, Kirk Wakefield, Jonathan A. Jensen, Greg Bennett

Journal of Applied Sport Management

Sponsorship opportunities in college athletics have shifted dramatically as athletes have rights to name, image and likeness (NIL). NIL assets, once illegal for college athletes, are prime avenues for brands to reach college sports fans, the largest and most avid sports fan base in the US (Dosh, 2021). Our purpose is to evaluate how these changes “fit” into the overall sponsorship landscape and what will come next. With the impact on brands, properties and consumers over time, we narrow our discussion around “fit,” the most prevalent factor in academic sponsorship research (Wakefield et al., 2020)