Sports Management Commons^™

Mental Health Among Collegiate Athletes, Stella Elise Fairbanks

Honors Thesis

Mental health has become increasingly more linked with athletics, especially collegiate athletics. There has been an increase in public acknowledgment of the presence of mental health in sports, specifically, more athletes are speaking about their mental health struggles as well as more research is being conducted in order to gain a greater understanding of the relationship between mental health and athletics. This literature review discusses athletes’ personal experiences of their mental health struggles, the presence of stigma associated with mental health and athletics, and the results of the recent NCAA, National Collegiate Athletic Association, research. This thesis aims to uncover …

Nfl Rule Changes Favor Offenses; But Don't Defenses Win Championships?, Kipp Satterlee Ransome

Business and Economics Honors Papers

The NFL's emphasis on favoring the offense through implementing new game rules is likely a significant factor in increasing a team's average points per game. Additionally, an increasing average points per game metric is likely a contributing factor to increasing real team revenue, as prior research indicates that higher-scoring games lead to higher fan satisfaction. Using game, team revenue, and rule implementation data from the 2002-2022 seasons, this author tests two new hypotheses that test whether specific rule changes targeting defenses or special teams increase a team’s average points per game and whether an increased points per game metric positively …

The Impact Of The Anthem Protest Movement And Covid On Nfl Viewership, George W. Stone, Michael A. Jones, Kirsten Passyn

Atlantic Marketing Journal

This research is based on 3 different surveys conducted over several NFL football seasons. The first study investigated the impact of the Anthem Protest Movement on the attitude of NFL fans. The “Anthem Protest” reemerged during the 2020 season during the “lockdown” season associated with the COVID epidemic. Co-mingled with COVID and societal unrest, many analysts were predicting irreparable harm to the NFL’s once indomitable position as America’s favorite sport resulting from this confluence of events. Given the importance of the topic in terms of future NFL fan support, this report looks back over the last several NFL seasons to …

‘You Have To Respect The Water’: Participant Experiences Of Appreciating And Managing The Risks Associated With Open Water Swimming – A Rapid Ethnographic Study, Mark A. Christie, David Elliott

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Open water swimming (OWS) has rapidly grown in popularity, driven by the purported health benefits of cold-water immersion. A paucity of research remains specifically considering the notable risks inherent in OWS participation, and a lack of qualitative research on freshwater swimming experiences, and safety-related issues therein. This rapid ethnographic study, based at a dedicated OWS lake in the UK, conducted semi-structured interviews with OWS participants (n=17; female=11, male=6). Two core themes emerged: environmental issues impacting OWS experiences and behaviours; and knowledge and education of OWS which highlighted safe/unsafe practices, levels of education for managing risks, personal preparedness, swimming solo/with others, …

Barriers: Location, Functionality, And Method Of Access In Childhood Pool/Spa Submersion Incidents, United States, 2000-2017, Alison Miller, Kristina R. Anderson, William D. Ramos

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

Drowning is a leading cause of fatality among children in the United States, and residential pools/spas currently account for as much as 80% of these submersion incidents. This study reviewed narrative case reports obtained from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to understand barrier location, type, and functionality as methods of pool/spa access for childhood submersion incidents. Retroactive analysis of 1,523 fatal and non-fatal submersion incidents among children aged 13 years old and younger was conducted using the CPSC in depth investigation dataset from 2000-2017. Narrative descriptions were coded according to the attributes of barrier location, functionality, and …

Lay Rescuer Equipment Preferences And Efficacy During A Simulated Drowning Event, Alison M. Miller, William D. Ramos, Kristina R. Anderson, Jill Cuvala

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

During a drowning incident where a lifeguard is not present, a bystander – referred to as a lay rescuer - may put themselves in danger by attempting a rescue. When lay rescuers can avoid entering the water by using rescue equipment to help a drowning victim, it serves to not only help the person actively drowning, but also provides a layer of protection to a lay rescuer. This study sought to examine the following questions: (a) which pieces of rescue equipment were preferred by lay rescuers at pre-determined short and long distances, (b) do lay rescuers select appropriate rescue equipment …

Online Fan Communities: Welcoming Behavior, Brand Community Markers, And Multiple Identities In Sports Fandom, Blaine R. Huber

Doctoral Dissertations

Online fan communities have revolutionized the way sport consumers engage with fellow fans and the sports product. The traditional regional boundaries that once characterized sports fandom have been mitigated by the emergence of new media, social media platforms, and online fan communities. This dissertation explores the non-geographically bound nature of contemporary sports fan communities, examining the evolving dynamics of fan behavior in the digital age. In Study 1, an interactional perspective is employed to explore online fan socialization. The focus is on how new fans' self-presentation influences acceptance within NFL team-specific Reddit communities. Utilizing data mining, textual analysis, and qualitative …

Collegiate Female Athlete Experiences With Name, Image, And Likeness, Hailey A. Harris, Natasha T. Brison

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

The purpose of this study is to examine experiences female collegiate athletes encountered with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) legislation. Ten collegiate female athletes across multiple divisions and geographic regions were interviewed for this study. Participants discussed various facets of their experiences with NIL, such as team dynamics and personal branding. The results of this study suggest differences in 1) their institutional educational processes for NIL, 2) their attitudes towards NIL, 3) shifts (or lack thereof) in their team’s group cohesion and leadership, and 4) their experience with forming and managing their personal brand. This study adds to the current …

“Zero Preparation For Life After Sports”: Former College Athletes’ Use Of Tiktok To Express Transitioning Out Of Sport, Molly Harry, Sydney Hammit

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

Every college athlete will transition out of competition and this transition is often tumultuous for athletes who have dedicated years to the sports they love. Despite these challenges, athletes are rarely given a platform to discuss their transition with peers experiencing a similar situation who can offer support. However, through social media, former college athletes are creating platforms to center their transition successes and struggles. Through the lens of Schlossberg’s Transition Theory (1981), this study used thematic analysis to examine transition experiences of former college athletes responding to a viral TikTok video. Comments (n = 869) demonstrated former athletes …

Making (Applied) Sport Management Accessible, Adam William Love

Journal of Applied Sport Management

The Applied Sport Management Association’s Distinguished Service and Mentorship Award was initiated in 2022 as a renaming and repurposing of the ASMA Scholar Lifetime Achievement Award presented from 2009 to 2020. This service and mentorship award recognizes an ASMA member who has exhibited continued, exemplary service to ASMA, who connects sport management research with practitioners in an applied manner, and who demonstrates dedication to students and mentorship within the ASMA. Recipients of this award provide a keynote address to the ASMA membership at the annual conference. The content of this address is published in the Journal of Applied Sport Management …

“Together We Go Far”: Exploring The Motivational Dispositions Within Connected Fitness, Melissa Davies, Thomas Aicher, Brianna Newland, Eric Hungenberg

Journal of Applied Sport Management

This study examined the motivational profiles of connected fitness users to better position brands as they compete with the reopening of physical gyms and in-person classes. Using survey responses from 663 Peloton users, a K-cluster analysis was performed to identify three clusters of Peloton users (Wellness, Physique, and Social Performance), based on their motives for using the brand’s app. Findings suggest that connected fitness brands should leverage their ability to create social engagement and challenging opportunities to better their own past performance to differentiate themselves and retain users in a very cluttered and competitive marketplace.

The Journey Continues: Highlights From The 2024 Asma Conference, Marshall Magnusen

Journal of Applied Sport Management

The Journal of Applied Sport Management (JASM) is the official publication of the Applied Sport Management Association (ASMA), which is a scholarly organization that builds research partnerships between faculty and students. ASMA also facilitates connections between sport management faculty and students studying sport and practitioners working in the sport industry. In 2023, the annual conference was hosted by Samford University under the direction of Dr. Patrick Marsh. With 300 registrants, the 2024 conference was the most attended in ASMA history. It took place in Knoxville, Tennessee. Hosted by the University of Tennessee, the conference was spearheaded by Drs. Adam Love …

Beyond The Game: Gamification, Sports Betting, And Fantasy Sports In Modern Sports, Kyler A. Ripley

Soaring: A Journal of Undergraduate Research

The gamification of fantasy sports and sports betting is real in our society today and has become incredibly useful, but policymakers need to create laws to protect consumers.

Sport Facilities Planning, Design, Operation, And Management Trends: An Introduction To The Special Issue, Jeffrey Petersen, Lawrence W. Judge

Journal of Applied Sport Management

The focus of this special issue is to grow the existing academic literature on sport facilities. This is done by presenting a variety of perspectives from established and emerging scholars in the field. The aim of this special issues aligns with the mission of the Journal of Applied Sport Management, which is to publish research and conceptual contributions that bridge the gap between scholarly work and professional practice in sport business. In all, the special issue includes five thought-provoking pieces contributed by 12 authors as well as a practitioner interview with Earl Santee, one of the most acclaimed sport …

Innovation Diffusion In The Sustainable Design Of Sport Venues, Timothy Kellison, Sungil Hong

Journal of Applied Sport Management

Herein, the authors contribute to the sport facilities literatures by discussing the current state of innovation diffusion in sustainable design among sport’s professional arenas, ballparks, and stadiums. Diffusion of innovation theory is reviewed before the authors explore how this theory can be applied to sport facility design and operation.

Modernization And The Contemporary Sport Stadium, Benjamin Downs, Chad Seifried

Journal of Applied Sport Management

The authors add to the conversation about sport facility construction by discussing the U.S. political economy that led to the contemporary standing of sport facilities. They use modernization theory as a lens or sample guide for sport facility managers to consider when attempting to position their facilities to maximize profits while satisfying consumers and partners.

A New Secret Of The Youth Olympic Games: A Model For Olympic Facilities Reform, Jeffrey Petersen, Lawrence W. Judge

Journal of Applied Sport Management

The authors center their attention on Olympic venues and the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), arguing that a new reform model for Olympic venues should be based on the model of the YOG. Although the focus of the proposed reform model remains on venue reform, the authors also considers all four elements from Müller’s (2015) mega-events definitional model. These elements include visitor attractiveness (tickets sold), mediated reach (broadcast rights fees), cost (total cost), and transformation (capital investment). The reform model is argued to improve the overall cost and long-term impact of Olympic Games infrastructure, making it more manageable and sustainable.

The Past Informing The Future: An Interview With Earl Santee, Populous, Rachel Hickey

Journal of Applied Sport Management

The facility expert in focus is Earl Santee, a senior principal, global chair, and founder at Populous. Populous is the leading architectural and design firm in the sport facility sector. Santee, having been has been recognized for numerous awards, including the Sports Business Journal’s 2019 Class of the Champions: Pioneers & Innovators in Sports Business, is excellently positioned to offer an expert perspective on the past, present, and future of sport facility design

Environmental Sustainability Research And Future Directions For Events And Facilities: An Assessment Of The Field, Brian Mccullough, Anne Dietrich, Rafael Rocha, Yongjoon Bae

Journal of Applied Sport Management

Environmental sustainability among sport facilities and events is the focus of this piece. The authors focus on three areas: (1) the environmental impacts of sport facilities and events, (2) the progress that can be made through strategic initiatives, and (3) how these entities engage fans and the surrounding communities to be more environmentally sustainable. The authors stress how these three aspects must be considered in tandem rather than in isolation as ways to advance the environmental sustainability movement among sport facilities and events.

Venue Safety Strategies: Guardrails And The Line-Of-Sight Exemption, Gil Fried, Aneurin Grant

Journal of Applied Sport Management

This piece represents a focused article on safety issues connected to railings at sporting events and why there needs to be considerable action taken to protect fans. Specifically, the authors believe the current line-of-sight exception (minimum 26") allows for railings that are dangerously inadequate to protect fans. It is argued that if sport facility managers and or venues do not proactively address this railing height issue, then architects, building inspectors, and others should seek to change the building code to eliminate the fans continued exposure to unnecessary hazards.

The Crusading Days Of Jackie Stewart: Evaluating The Development Of Safety In Motor Racing During The 1960s., Alex Twitchen

Journal of Motorsport Culture & History

This article critically evaluates the contribution of Jackie Stewart in making motor racing a safer sport for competitors. It challenges the validity of the popular assumption that Jackie Stewart by himself developed a ‘culture of safety’ that transformed the sport. Instead, the role of other individuals are identified alongside the importance of three social processes. These processes are identified as the changing balance of power between different masculine identities, the development of commercial sponsorship and a growth in the coverage of the sport on television.

The development of motor racing from the 1960s onwards as a safer sport in which …

Book Review- Racing With Rich Energy: How A Rogue Sponsor Took Formula One For A Ride., James Miller

Journal of Motorsport Culture & History

No abstract provided.

Book Review: I Was A Nascar Redneck: Recollections Of The Transformation Of A Yankee Farm Boy To A Southern Redneck In The Golden Era Of Nascar And Beyond., Quinn Beekwilder, Daniel Dean

Journal of Motorsport Culture & History

No abstract provided.

Pledging Engagement: Motivations And Intentions For College Sport Attendance Among Greek-Letter Organizations, Stacey A. Forsythe, Alison Fridley, Chris Corr, Sarah Stokowski, Nnamdi Ezike

Journal of Applied Sport Management

While ticket sales and revenue have remained relatively constant in collegiate athletics over the past decade, attendance has steadily declined. Given the range of entertainment options available, student attendance at collegiate athletic events has, specifically, declined. While athletic administrators are often revenue oriented, decreasing attendance has effects that span campus communities and cultures. As Greek-letter organizations are nearly ubiquitous within the higher education setting, fraternity and sorority members serve a unique opportunity area for engagement with fan attendance initiatives and future alumni giving. Accordingly, this study examined the motivations for attending collegiate athletic events as a member of a Greek-letter …

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

WKU Archives Records

Press releases and game statistics for WKU men's basketball team from August to December 2023.

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

WKU Archives Records

Press releases and game statistics for WKU women's basketball team from August to December 2023.

The “Other” Nil And Sportcrit: Narrative Identity And Liminality Of Black Gendered Scholar-Athletes, Joseph L. Herman Ii

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

The purpose of this conceptual manuscript is to advance a new integrated model: the Narrative Identity (NI), and Liminality Model (NILM). The NILM advances narrative as an intervention tool for Black gendered scholar-athletes (BGSAs) by integrating NI theory (Adler et al., 2017) with the Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) model (Yosso, 2005) for positive outcomes intra-intercollegiate career. The developmental characteristic of sense-making of one’s life via the life story model and life stage phases (McAdams, 1985, 2011) are paramount to BGSAs’ articulation and development during their liminal condition (Sutton, 2017) as athletes in their orientation to sport. More specifically, orienting the …

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 …

Perceived Service Quality And Overall Satisfaction: From A Segmentation Perspective Unique To Golf Spectators, Tomo Tokuyama, Chris Greenwell, Junko Deguchi, Masashi Shinjo

Journal of Applied Sport Management

The purpose of the current study is to examine differences in the relationships between specific aspects of the service encounter and customer satisfaction attributable to consumers’ viewing situation and frequency of attendance. Questionnaires were distributed to spectators attending a major women’s golf tournament in Japan, and study participants were asked to rate various service elements and their level of attendance satisfaction. Respondents were grouped by viewing situations (one location, following a specific pairing, or moving the course randomly) and past attendance frequency (new spectators, light spectators, or frequent spectators). Shuttle bus service predicted satisfaction regardless of segment. Merchandise predicted satisfaction …

Off-Course: Understanding The Popularity Of Alternative Golf Experiences, Juhee Kang, David Kwun, Jeeyeon (Jeannie) Hahn

Rosen Research Review

Alternative golf is a nascent leisure product category that is growing in popularity. However, little is known as to why, its potential impact on traditional golf, and whether it will encourage more and diverse people to play traditional golf. Drs. Juhee Kang, David Kwun, and Jeeyeon Jeannie Hahm at UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management investigated the relationship between consumers' value perceptions, satisfaction, and involvement at golf entertainment venues, and whether those influenced their desire to return or refer, and, ultimately, spread their wings onto an actual golf course.