Digital Commons Network^™

Academic Professionals’ Perspectives On Return To Learn Following Concussion In Ncaa Student-Athletes, Tom Bowman, Monica R. Lininger, Alicia M. Pike Lacy, Johna K. Register-Mihalik, Steven M. Myers, Stephanie M. Singe

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

While evidence supports the gradual return to participation in collegiate athletics following a concussion, limited evidence exists of the return to learn (RTL) procedures for a successful return to the higher education classroom. The objective of this study was to determine what academic supports and hindrances are present for NCAA student-athletes during the RTL process following a concussion from academic professionals’ perspectives. In this qualitative study with purposive recruitment strategies, academic support professionals (5=female, 4=male, age=44.2±13.9 years, experience=11.6±10.4 years) and faculty athletic representatives (5=female, 5=male, age=48.6±7.8 years, experience=3.9±5.6 years) volunteered to complete virtual interviews. We conducted semistructured one-on-one interviews with …

Fan Perceptions Of Dynamic Ticket Pricing In Professional Sports: The Impact Of Transparency, Incentives, And Demographics, Joshua Greer, Nicholas Zoroya

The COSMA Journal

Abstract

Dynamic Ticket Pricing (DTP) has become a widely implemented strategy in professional sports, allowing organizations to adjust ticket prices based on demand fluctuations. While DTP optimizes revenue generation for teams, its impact on fan perceptions, purchasing behavior, and loyalty remains a crucial consideration. This study examines the influence of age, gender, pricing transparency, and promotional incentives on fans’ perceptions of fairness, trust, and purchasing decisions within a dynamic pricing model.

A total of 57 participants completed a survey assessing their attitudes toward DTP. Key areas of analysis included perceived fairness, willingness to pay for high-demand games, trust in pricing …

Does A Star Player’S Jewelry Matter? An Analysis Of Nba Real Team Value, Brandon C. Penticoff

Undergraduate Economics Working Paper Series

This study dives into the financial and sport factors that impact team market value and revenue. This study's results confirm that star players significantly enhance team value, with NBA Superstars adding nearly $500 million annually. This study discovered the prominence of a Principal-Agent Problem between star players and NBA front offices over the issue of championship pursuit. The analysis also identifies an optimal style of play for revenue generation, but that could oppose longer-term team value. These findings have critical implications for NBA front offices, owners, and coaching staffs.

Sustainability In Professional Sports: A New Nexus Of Profit And Social Responsibility, Matthew Teplitz

Master's Theses

The world is facing a climate crisis – corrective action that will improve our collective situation is needed, now. Those with the power to do so, in the capitalist structure under which we live, are largely the individuals, corporations, and governments with financial resources and the platform to inspire others to act. Two such entities, complete with the financial heft to make a difference and inspiration to spare, are North America’s National Basketball Association (NBA) and Spain’s La Liga. This thesis seeks to understand what distinguishes the NBA’s approach to sustainability from La Liga, and by employing each league as …

The Nexus Of Sports Fandom And Sports Wagering: A Scoping Review, Brandon Mastromartino, Michael L. Naraine, Henry Wear

UNLV Gaming Research & Review Journal

This scoping review examines the intersection of sports fandom and sports betting, with a particular focus on the marketing considerations involved in this relationship. Sports fandom, driven by strong emotional investments and team identification, plays a critical role in shaping betting behaviors. As this relationship becomes increasingly complex, it is essential to explore the underlying motivations and behaviors of sports fans who engage in betting, the ethical implications of marketing practices targeting this group, and the methodologies used to study this intersection. To address these relationships, this review examines four key areas: motivations for sports fans to engage in betting, …

The Nil Ripple Effect: How Name, Image, And Likeness Reshapes Student-Athletes, Mental Health, And Fan Perception, Jaleah Walker

Honors Theses

The NIL Ripple Effect: How Name, Image, and Likeness Reshapes Student-Athletes, Mental Health, and Fan Perception examines the shifting dynamics of college athletics and how these changes affect student-athletes, fans, and institutions. The study explores the consequences of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and its effects on student-athletes' mental health and fans’ perception. Through interviews with athletes and analysis of current policies, this research highlights the mental, financial, and competitive pressures that NIL places on student-athletes. While NIL provides financial opportunities, it also demands brand management, public visibility, and performance consistency, often leading to heightened stress. Additionally, this study …

Book Review: College Sports And Institutional Values In Competition: Leadership Challenges, Kirsten Hextrum

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

In The Price: What It Takes to Win in College Football's Era of Chaos Armen Keteyian and John Talty have written the first comprehensive post-NIL examination of college football’s new landscape for coaches, athletes, agents, and athletic departments. The authors explore the newly disrupted landscape of college football, likening it to the "Wild West" where traditional structures have been upended. The authors detail the profound impact of recent upheavals, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the transfer portal, and name, image, and likeness (NIL), which have collectively struck the sport like a nuclear bomb, leaving coaches and administrators grappling with unprecedented challenges. …

From The Bleachers To The Browser: Redefining Fan Experience With Ar And Ai In Smaller Teams, Jennifer Lee Wunder

Theses

This project documents the creation and deployment of HootyHoo, an interactive augmented reality (AR) mascot experience designed for the O’Fallon Hoots, a small-scale collegiate summer baseball team. Built using accessible, open-source tools such as WebXR, Mixamo, Meshy, Botpress, Claude and ChatGPT, this prototype merges AI-driven conversation with animated 3D avatar interaction—redefining how fans engage with sports organizations digitally. Unlike enterprise-level applications used by professional franchises, HootyHoo is entirely browser-based, eliminating the need for app downloads and ensuring maximum accessibility for families and new fans with smartphones. The experience centers on Hooty, the team mascot, who answers questions about baseball and …

The Impact Of Social Media On Fan Engagement In College Sports: A Focus On Student Fan Interaction, Lindzy K. Cortés

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

In the digital age, social media has become an essential tool for shaping how college students interact with their university sports teams. This study explores the role of social media in influencing student fan engagement at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), with a focus on perceptions, behaviors, and platform preferences. Using a mixed-methods approach, data was collected through a campus-wide survey (n=122) and ten in-depth interviews with student fans and athletes. Results indicate that Instagram and TikTok are the most effective platforms for capturing student attention, particularly when content includes behind-the-scenes access, humor, and player-led storytelling. Students who …

Comparative Analysis Of Regression And Random Forest Models For Player Performance Prediction In The Mls, Joshua Clement Madeti

Senior Honors Theses

Advanced technology and analytics have transformed the world and have benefited several industries throughout, the sport industry being one of them. Data is constantly generated during sports and requires post-game or post-season analysis which is crucial to team and player success. In this paper, the researcher will focus on the impact of analytics on soccer and soccer players. With over three billion active fans, soccer is the most famous sport in the world yet, when it comes to analytics, it is lagging. The thesis includes a comparative study of multiple linear regression and random forest regression to explore whether these …

Ua12/2/2 Talisman: Connection, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Spring 2025 Talisman:

• Alali, Cecilia & Ragan Harrington. Connection
• Hardesty, Emma. On a Roll – Dungeons & Dragons
• Muscutt, Carson. Grinding Through Life – Molotov Skateshop
• Cox, Kate. Stopwatch
• Harrington, Ragan. 1 Campus, 7 Strangers – Logan Hesse, Nicholas Basile, Spencer Winterbottom, Alliyah Jones, Alex Gehring, Annie McClurg, Rowan Finley
• Vickers, Abigail. Forged in Combat – Mixed Martial Arts
• Wood-Morris, Oli. Survivors to Neighbors – Bosnian Refugees
• Jordan, Shylin. Severed Roots
• Bivens, Emily. Behind the Screen – Social Media
• Dean, Clarissa. Shear Talent – Shake Rag Barbershop
• Sutton, Avery. For the Love of the Old – Thrift Shopping
• Phelps, Maggie. …

Game Changers: The Impact Of Female Representation In Sports Media On Girls' Youth Sport Participation, Kaci L. Huff

Undergraduate Theses

This thesis examines how female representation in sports media impacts girls' youth sport participation rates. Using a review of current literature and original enrollment data from local youth organizations, it reveals that limited and often stereotyped portrayals of female athletes contribute to lower participation and early dropout among girls. The study highlights how underrepresentation, especially of marginalized groups, reinforces harmful narratives that deter engagement. Solutions are proposed, including increasing inclusive media coverage and emphasizing athletic achievements over appearance. By reshaping media narratives, the sports industry can create more supportive environments and encourage greater youth sport participation among girls.

The Formation Of The American League In Baseball; Changes In American Society And Culture That Contributed To The Demand For More Baseball In The Late 19th Century, Shawn M. Smith

Bound Away: The Liberty Journal of History

The second professional major league (the American League) in baseball came about in response to the demand for more baseball entertainment due to the increased amount of leisure time Americans had in the late-19th century as society started the shift from an agricultural based lifestyle to a culture who worked predominantly in factory work.

The culture and society of the day changed drastically due to changing economic conditions of the time period. Due to monumental changes in industry, the vast majority of the population had shifted from working in an agrarian society to working in factories as a result of …

Physical Activity Curriculum And Marketing Strategy For Dale Vuelta To Empower Young Girls In Mexico., Reagan A. Dodson, Eunice M. Lee

SPARK Symposium Presentations

The World Health Organization (WHO) found that nearly one-third of the world’s adult population are physically inactive, not meeting the global recommendations of at least 150 minutes of necessary physical activity per week (WHO, 2024). Adolescent girls were less active than adolescent boys, with 85% in comparison to 78%. In Mexico, 88% of girls, ages 11-17, are physically inactive (WHO, 2022). In Mexico, the stigma around girls practicing sports remains strong; gender-based violence grows by the year, and girls are often bullied, questioned, or discouraged from participating in sports (B. Möller, personal communication, September 23, 2024). Dale Vuelta, a non-profit …

Ua19/16/2 Women's Basketball Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU women's basketball team in spring 2025.

Ua19/16/2 Ahletics Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases regarding general activities of the WKU Athletics Department for spring 2025.

Ua19/16/2 Volleyball Press Relations, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU volleyball team in spring 2025.

Ua19/16/2 Track & Field Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU track teams in spring 2025.

Ua19/16/2 Football Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU football team in spring 2025.

Ua19/16/2 Soccer Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU soccer team in spring 2025.

Ua19/16/2 Basketball Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU men's basketball team in spring 2025.

Ua19/16/2 Golf Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU golf teams in spring 2025.

Ua19/16/2 Tennis Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU tennis teams in spring 2025.

Ua19/16/2 Softball Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU softball team in spring 2025.

Ua19/16/2 Baseball Press Releases, Wku Athletic Media Relations

WKU Administration Documents

Press releases and game statistics for WKU baseball team in spring 2025.

Does Name, Image, And Likeness Increase Gender Inequality In College Athletics?, Aimee Christenson

Political Science Theses and Capstones

In June of 2021, the National Collegiate Athletic Association adopted its first interim policy regarding Name, Image, and Likeness. From here, college athletes have been able to benefit from opportunities regarding their brand as an athlete. While this development has been historic in its expansion of rights to athletes, it highlights the inequities between male and female athletes. Title IX requires equal opportunity for male and female students. This research raises questions about whether NIL is increasing the disparity between male and female athletes. To answer this question, I looked at NIL data collected by Kyle Ems on the NIL …

The Experiences Of Disabled People In Physical Education, Wesley J. Wilson (Editor), Justin A. Haegele (Editor)

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Books

Bringing together a set of first- person accounts of physical education from the perspectives of disabled children and adults, this book puts disabled people’s voices in the foreground.

The book provides a rich set of case study material that deepens our understanding of the experiences of disabled people and challenges students, researchers, and practitioners to reflect critically upon their own positionality. The first part of the book discusses the ways in which disability has been conceptualized, how the voices of disabled people have sometimes been marginalized, and how nondisability power has historically framed the narratives of disabled people in physical …

Book Review: Justice Batted Last, Darlene A. Kluka, Aaron Livingston

Global Sport Business Journal

Book Review of Don Zminda's (2025) Justice Batted Last: Ernie Banks, Minnie Miñoso, and the Unheralded Players Who Integrated Chicago's Major League Teams

“Burned At The Stake”: Unpacking Disinformation In The Story Of A Coach Allegedly “Terminated” For Expressing Anti-Transgender Women Athlete Beliefs, Ellen J. Staurowsky

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

On August 29, 2023, a video testimony entitled ‘Burned at the Stake’: One NCAA Coach’s Battle to Protect Women’s Sport was released. The film was part of a “female athlete storytelling series” developed and funded by the Independent Women’s Forum (IWF) designed to support the IWF’s stated agenda to “fight to save women’s sports and counter the radical agenda that seeks to erase women” by allowing transgender girls and women on teams that match their identities. The central figure in the video is Kim Russell, then head women’s lacrosse coach at NCAA Division III Oberlin College, who claimed her right …

The Relationships Between Perceived Stress, Burnout, And Work-Family Conflict Among Athletic Trainers Working In Collegiate Sport, Stephanie M. Singe, Alexandrya Cairns, Christianne M. Eason

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Athletic trainers in collegiate sport experience burnout and work family conflict, however the relationship with perceived stress in this setting has yet to be explored. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact that perceived stress has on self-reported measures of burnout and work family conflict. Secondarily, the study aims to better understand if subdivision (DI, DII, DIII) within the NCAA impacts perceived stress, burnout, or work family conflict. A web-based cross-sectional survey (Qualtrics, Provo, UT) was utilized to collect data on collegiate athletic trainers’ perceptions of stress, burnout, and work family conflict as well as demographics relevant …