Miami University
University of Michigan
University of Central Florida
Whittier College
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Old Dominion University
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Navigating Nil In Collegiate Athletics: Athletes, Institutional, And Market Perspectives,
2026
University of Houston
Navigating Nil In Collegiate Athletics: Athletes, Institutional, And Market Perspectives, Don Lee, Hoyeol Yu, Myungwoo Lee, Minseok Cho
Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics
This study examines the post-2021 NCAA Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era by synthesizing scholarship on how NIL policies have transformed collegiate athletics. Specifically, it explores the regulatory, economic, governance, and equity dynamics emerging from a decentralized policy environment and the rapid expansion of athlete commercialization. An AI-assisted scoping review and content analysis were conducted on NIL-related studies published in leading sport management and sport law journals since July 1, 2021. Using large language model–supported searches, thematic coding, and reliability and validity procedures, the selected studies were systematically analyzed across legal, governance, commercialization, athlete experience, and equity dimensions. Findings identified …
“Playing Mental Gymnastics”: Exploring Black Women College Athletes' Mental Health Experiences At Historically White Division I Universities,
2026
Santa Clara University
“Playing Mental Gymnastics”: Exploring Black Women College Athletes' Mental Health Experiences At Historically White Division I Universities, Ezinne D. Ofoegbu
Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics
Between 2002 and 2022, over 125 college athletes died by suicide, and Division I athletes represented 45% of these deaths. In 2023, Black women college athletes at Division I universities identified racism as a mental health stressor at a higher rate than their non-Black peers. The intersectional nature of social identities and athlete status may create gendered and racialized stressors that are uniquely experienced by Black women athletes. Given the underrepresentation of Black students (i.e., athletes and nonathletes), coaches, faculty, and staff at historically white institutions (HWIs), Black women athletes are likely navigating campus relationships and environments that are shaped …
The Impact Of Toxic Leadership On Intercollegiate Athletics: Gender-Differentiated Perceptions,
2026
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
The Impact Of Toxic Leadership On Intercollegiate Athletics: Gender-Differentiated Perceptions, Tara Tietjen-Smith, Haley Blount
Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics
While some investigative research has been conducted to examine the impact of toxic, or destructive, leadership in sport, few studies have focused on intercollegiate athletics departments. The purpose of this study was to examine how common toxic leadership is in intercollegiate athletics departments as well as its impact. A quantitative cross-sectional survey study was designed to examine NCAA Division I and II athletics employee experiences using the Toxic Triangle of Sport Management (TToSM) as a theoretical framework. Respondents (N = 2,051) were asked questions concerning their perceptions of work environments, leadership, and organizational culture procured from three distinct and well-established …
New Basketball Venues And Attendance In Men's College Basketball: Insights For Facility Planning And Athletic Department Strategy,
2026
Western Kentucky University
New Basketball Venues And Attendance In Men's College Basketball: Insights For Facility Planning And Athletic Department Strategy, Brad Stinnett
Global Sport Business Journal
As college athletic departments continue to put considerable resources into basketball facilities, understanding the impact these venues can have on attendance has become increasingly vital. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of new basketball facilities on attendance among NCAA Division I men's basketball programs. Using a longitudinal pre-post comparative research design, 20 programs that opened new venues since the 2015-16 season served as the sample. A dataset was created using publicly available secondary archival data sources. Findings highlight attendance patterns after the opening of the new venue, facility capacity utilization, and changes in program winning percentage. …
Factors Shaping The Graduate Assistantship Experience In Ncaa Division I Athletic Departments,
2026
Coastal Carolina University
Factors Shaping The Graduate Assistantship Experience In Ncaa Division I Athletic Departments, Kelly P. Elliott, Kate Labate, Josh Tennant, Chris Espinosa
The COSMA Journal
Graduate Assistantships (GA) are a critical component of career preparation in sport management, yet little is known about how the GA experiences vary across institutions, and intercollegiate athletic departments. This exploratory study examined differences in intercollegiate athletic department GAs based on NCAA Division I subdivision, length of time the GA served in the position, and how the GA found the opportunity. Survey data were collected from GAs listed on athletic department staff directories. The instrument assessed functional areas, supervision, compensation, satisfaction, and perceived career impact. Chi-square analyses compared GA experiences across institutional and student-level variables. Overall, the findings suggest that …
The Pickleball Opportunity: A Case Study To Evaluate The Market Demand And Feasibility Of Opening A Private Pickleball Facility,
2026
University of Tampa
The Pickleball Opportunity: A Case Study To Evaluate The Market Demand And Feasibility Of Opening A Private Pickleball Facility, Dene Williamson, Janet Jones
Global Sport Business Journal
This case study explores the market demand and financial feasibility of opening a privately owned, indoor pickleball facility in Warrensburg, Missouri. The central character, Mr. Dink, returns to his rural hometown with the goal of building a community-centric recreational space centered around America’s fastest-growing sport—pickleball. Students are asked to evaluate the business opportunity through comprehensive market research, financial forecasting, and risk assessment. Drawing from comparative data provided by an established facility in Florida, the case challenges students to adapt proven strategies to a smaller, lower-cost market. The case provides a platform to practice feasibility analysis, pricing strategy, break-even modeling, marketing, …
The Intersection Of Sport Betting And Consumer Behavior: A Systematic Review,
2026
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The Intersection Of Sport Betting And Consumer Behavior: A Systematic Review, Jackson Sears, Beth Cianfrone
UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal
Sport betting is a popular and lucrative entertainment segment of the sport industry. As such, understanding consumer behavior across the betting experiences is critical for the many stakeholders involved. The current study is a systematic quantitative literature review which assesses the current state of literature that intersects sport betting and consumer behavior literature, specifically cognitive, affective, conative, and consumption behavior of the sport bettors. The purpose of the systematic review is to (1) identify the most recent sport betting consumer behavior research, (2) compile and examine theoretical frameworks guiding sport gambling consumer research, (3) provide a descriptive summary of findings …
Locker Room To The Classroom,
2026
Liberty University
Locker Room To The Classroom, Bert Wicks
Masters Theses
This thesis sought to explore the feasibility of using graduated collegiate athletes to supplement teaching populations to mitigate the teaching shortage in America. The researcher interviewed five professionals in education and five current college athletes to assist in answering two research questions. What are the perceptions of school administrators regarding the employment of former collegiate athletes as public-school teachers, in comparison to educators with formal academic training in education, and what are the attitudes of current and former collegiate athletes on the prospects of pursuing careers in public school teaching relative to employment opportunities aligned with their academic major were …
Growth, Governance, And Organizational Crisis In Nonprofit Rowing Club: Failures In Leadership In A Growing Organization,
2026
Temple University
Growth, Governance, And Organizational Crisis In Nonprofit Rowing Club: Failures In Leadership In A Growing Organization, Noah Legendre, Ehren R. Green
The COSMA Journal
This case explores governance and leadership challenges within a growing nonprofit sport organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. Within this case, the Litchberg Valley Rowing Club (LVRC), a rowing organization in a small community, experienced rapid growth in membership, financial resources, and competitive success. Despite this growth, the organization maintained informal governance structures and policies to guide its decision-making. In this case, the board of directors elected to terminate the head coach because of difficult contract negotiations and other issues at hand. This decision was met with public backlash, raising concerns about club leadership and the future of …
Exploring The Motivations Of Undergraduate Sport Management Students,
2026
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Exploring The Motivations Of Undergraduate Sport Management Students, Kyle J. Brannigan, Tyler J. Hajek
The COSMA Journal
This study explored the motivations of undergraduate sport management in four university programs. Convergent mixed-methods research through the theoretical framework of Self-Determination Theory was incorporated with an adapted questionnaire of the Academic Motivation Scale and semi-structured interviews through Thematic Analysis. Ninety-six surveys with nine interviews were deemed usable across four regionally focused, vocationally minded, and accessible universities. Overall, students reported higher levels of extrinsic motivation than intrinsic motivation. The findings suggested intrinsic motivation to know and extrinsic motivation through regulation for identification scored highest with the participants. No significant differences were found between classes and ethnicities. However, male students experienced …
Revisiting The Flutie Effect: The Impact Of Collegiate Athletics On College Choice,
2026
University of Tennessee
Revisiting The Flutie Effect: The Impact Of Collegiate Athletics On College Choice, Robin Hardin, Michelle L. Childs, Win G-Y Koo
The COSMA Journal
This study revisits the Flutie Effect by examining factors that influence a student’s college choice which includes the role of athletics and its brand. The study assessed items related to academics, interpersonal influences, campus culture, and athletics through a survey of first-year students. An exploratory factor analysis produced a seven-factor model explaining 71.51% of the variance. The strongest factor was emotional and behavioral identification with university athletics, reflecting fandom, affiliation, and pride in athletic success. Athletics significantly influenced college choice, but their impact extends beyond athletic success to include broader dimensions of branding, fandom, and affiliation. For institutions seeking to …
Book Review - Innovative Pedagogical Practices In Sport Management Education,
2026
Western University
Book Review - Innovative Pedagogical Practices In Sport Management Education, Mitchell Mcsweeney
Global Sport Business Journal
This review examines Innovative Pedagogical Practices in Sport Management Education, an edited collection that provides a comprehensive resource for enhancing teaching, curriculum design, and student learning in sport management. Organized across seven thematic sections, the book integrates theory with practical classroom applications, covering topics such as active learning, experiential education, diversity and inclusion, critical pedagogy, digital technologies, leadership, and emerging trends. The review highlights the collection's emphasis on actionable teaching strategies, reflective practice, and future-oriented innovation.
The Co-Development Of Espn+ And College Sports: A Case Study,
2026
Old Dominion University
The Co-Development Of Espn+ And College Sports: A Case Study, Eric Bohannon
Communication & Theatre Arts Theses
In 2018 ESPN debuted its national streaming service ESPN+. This profoundly changed the way sports fans watch college sports as well as other professional sporting events. Prior to ESPN+, a limited number of college sports games appeared on linear channels such as ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU, and occasionally a few other channels. Since 2018, ESPN+ streamed thousands of events per year ranging from college soccer to college softball and everything in between, including the qualifying and early rounds of professional tennis and golf tournaments from around the country. This case study describes the impact of ESPN+ on a college conference, …
Consumer Prioritization Of Revenue Generation Strategies In College Football Programs,
2026
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Consumer Prioritization Of Revenue Generation Strategies In College Football Programs, Nels Popp, Chris Greenwell
Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics
Collegiate athletic departments face increasing financial pressures, making it vital to identify revenue generation strategies that align with fan preferences for sustainable growth. This study explores how various methods, including corporate logos on uniforms, increasing game-day costs, and accepting loans from private investors, are ranked by consumers in terms of their acceptability and potential impact on fan experience. Guided by prospect theory, we hypothesize fans prefer strategies seen as gains rather than losses and fan identification influences these preferences. Results from rank-ordered surveys of 7,110 respondents reveal that strategies enhancing program visibility without direct financial impact, such as corporate logos, …
“It’S Its Own Toxic”: Occupational Opportunities And Barriers For Lgbq+ Collegiate Athletic Administrators,
2026
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
“It’S Its Own Toxic”: Occupational Opportunities And Barriers For Lgbq+ Collegiate Athletic Administrators, Colleen S. O'Connell, Michelle E. Moosbrugger, Jill Kochanek, Elizabeth M. Mullin
Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics
Athletic administrators hold positions of influence within intercollegiate sport, yet their experiences, especially in relation to sexual identity, remain underexamined. The purpose of this study was to explore the occupational experiences and environments of LGBQ+ intercollegiate athletic administrators using a narrative inquiry qualitative design. Sixteen administrators, who occupied various positions across all NCAA levels, were interviewed. Guided by Sexual Stigma and Prejudice Theory and Poststructuralism Theory, collected data were analyzed at the semantic and latent levels using reflexive thematic analysis. Two distinct themes were generated: LGBQ+ administrators described both positive and negative aspects of their workplaces. Inclusive environments were committed …
International Student Athletes And The Covid-19 Global Pandemic: Disruption, Uncertainty, And Coping,
2026
University of North Texas
International Student Athletes And The Covid-19 Global Pandemic: Disruption, Uncertainty, And Coping, Isabella M. Franks, Trent A. Petrie, Whitney G. Moore, Carmyn Hayes
Journal of Athlete Development and Experience
COVID-19 and its ripple effects (e.g., social distancing, sport cancellations, quarantining) negatively affected the careers of collegiate student-athletes. The disruption to university systems and collegiate athletics and the stress and uncertainty felt globally likely increased international student-athletes' (ISAs) risk for distress. Yet, ISAs also possessed unique characteristics and were immersed within supportive sport environments, which may have shaped their psychological responses in distinct ways. The COVID-19 pandemic created an opportunity to understand how ISAs, as individuals navigating both athletic and international identities, responded and coped. To date, no study has examined the initial coping experiences of international collegiate athletes, even …
Perceived Safety For Collegiate Student-Athletes: Race, Gender, And Mental Health Outcomes,
2026
University of North Texas
Perceived Safety For Collegiate Student-Athletes: Race, Gender, And Mental Health Outcomes, Macey L. Arnold, Hunter P. Williams, Justin Harker, Heather Kiefer, Julian Yoon, Trent A. Petrie
Journal of Athlete Development and Experience
Inadequate levels of perceived safety on campuses have been reported by college students (e.g., Maffini & Dillard, 2021) and connected to college students' mental health concerns (e.g., sleep disturbances; Etopio et al., 2019). Little is known about student-athletes’ (SA) perceptions of safety, particularly related to their racial and gender identities, and how their perception of safety is related to their mental health. We surveyed 213 SAs regarding their safety perceptions on campus, athletic department, and teams, along with anxiety (GAD-2), depression (PHQ-2), and sleep disturbances (PROMIS-SD). White SAs reported higher levels of safety than Black SAs for all three environments …
Performance, Pressure, And Prescription: A Qualitative Investigation Of Maladaptive Coping In Collegiate Cheerleading,
2026
Clemson University
Performance, Pressure, And Prescription: A Qualitative Investigation Of Maladaptive Coping In Collegiate Cheerleading, Chris Corr, Taylor Behl
Journal of Athlete Development and Experience
While cheerleading is a staple among athletics competition in the United States, cheerleading has perennially struggled to achieve legitimacy as a competitive and rigorous sport. However, cheerleaders experience similar stressors to those of their athlete peers. In addition, cheerleaders occupy unique and distinct stressors pertaining to expectations for appearance and behavior. While extant research has examined maladaptive coping mechanisms among competing athletes, the distinct pressures and stressors associated with cheerleading may be associated with unique engagement in maladaptive coping. Accordingly, the present study sought to examine the prevalence and propensity of maladaptive coping behaviors among a sample of current and …
'It's Going To Be Colder Than San Diego': Pre-Transition Experiences Of American Postgraduate Athletes At One British University,
2026
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
'It's Going To Be Colder Than San Diego': Pre-Transition Experiences Of American Postgraduate Athletes At One British University, Lara Killick, Pete Schroeder
Journal of Athlete Development and Experience
Athlete migration is a visible element of the sport-globalization nexus. At the intercollegiate level, a new migration pattern has recently emerged. Numerous British universities are recruiting American postgraduate athletes for a variety of sports. International athlete migration has been examined using the cultural transition model (CTM) (Ryba et al., 2016). CTM features three phases that profile the developmental tracks migrant athletes experience in a new culture. This study used CTM to qualitatively explore the pre-transition experiences of American postgraduate athletes. Nineteen Americans playing at one British university were interviewed prior to the 2022-23 academic year. Data were recorded, transcribed, and …
An Analysis Of The Sport Fan You Don’T Want To Encounter: Willpower And Fan Dysfunction,
2026
Murray State University
An Analysis Of The Sport Fan You Don’T Want To Encounter: Willpower And Fan Dysfunction, Anna M. Minor, Daniel L. Wann
Findings in Sport, Hospitality, Entertainment, and Event Management
Dysfunctional sport fans are classified as fans who have impaired function as it relates to socialization and social groups in the sport context, leading them to be highly confrontational and frequently complain within sporting environments (Wakefield & Wann, 2006). These fans are frequently loud, obsessive and even violent (Wann & James, 2019). The current research attempts to provide insight into this degree of excessive fandom behavior. Although previous work has examined demographics, alcohol, media consumption, and game attendance among dysfunctional fans, research has yet to examine the level of willpower (i.e., self-control) among these persons. With consideration that dysfunctional sport …
