Sports Studies Commons^™

Whose Game Is It? Re-Centering Athlete Voice In Interscholastic Sports: A Literature Review, Nick Pocius

Essays in Education

Interscholastic athletics have long been positioned as educational spaces that support the holistic development of young people. However, an increasing emphasis on outcomes such as winning, advancement, and visibility has shifted the experience away from its intended purpose. This article examines the growing disconnect between what athletes report valuing in their sport experience and the expectations imposed by adults and broader societal pressures. Drawing on motivational frameworks such as Self-Determination Theory and achievement goal theory, alongside practitioner experience, the article identifies four key elements that athletes consistently prioritize: belonging, growth, autonomy, and meaningful engagement. It then explores how external influences, …

Exploring Mental Health Counseling Programs For Student-Athletes: A Comprehensive Analysis Of The Stigma Preventing Treatment-Seeking Behaviors., Conner Haggerty

Leadership Education Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine the mental health counseling treatment-seeking behaviors of male football player student-athletes and the effects of stigma on those behaviors. Despite growing awareness of mental health challenges in collegiate athletics, male student-athletes continue to underutilize available mental health services at alarming rates. This study sought to address two research questions: what methods of mental health counseling most positively impact football player student-athletes, and what are the effects of stigma towards mental health counseling for football player student-athletes. A quantitative designed survey with supplementary qualitative questions was utilized, collecting data from 44 male football …

Harnessing Ai For Small Business Feasibility: A Paddleboard Guiding Venture In Winona, Minnesota, Grace M. Baden, Clay A. Craker, Isabella Howe, Patrick Wright, Andrew A. Regner

Research & Creative Achievement Day

This project explores the integration of artificial intelligence in constructing a feasibility study for a proposed paddleboard guiding business in Winona, Minnesota. Conducted as a six-week applied learning experience within the Commercial Recreation course, students systematically employed AI tools to develop a feasibility analyses, covering business concept development, market research, financial forecasting, and operational planning.

A core focus of this project was AI prompt engineering—students iteratively designed, tested, and refined AI-generated responses to improve the accuracy, clarity, and applicability of feasibility study components. The project also examined AI's efficiency in generating data-driven insights, its limitations in niche market research, and …

Revisiting Least Restrictive Environment In Adapted Physical Education: A Framework For Evidence-Based Practice, Samantha K. Charron

Research & Creative Achievement Day

This article addresses the implementation of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) principles in adapted physical education. Despite the legal mandates established by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the field faces significant challenges, including a shortage of qualified professionals, overemphasis on universal inclusion, and the exclusion of student voices from placement decisions. Through analysis of historical context, implementation challenges, and a proposed Student-Centered APE Placement Model (SCAPM), this article provides a framework for making evidence-based placement decisions that prioritize student success. By integrating perspectives from preservice teacher education and current practice, the framework offers practitioners a structured approach to navigating the …

Collegiate Football Players Perception Of The Covid-19 Virtual College Experience, Cole L. Laliberty

Leadership Education Capstones

The world was faced with chaos as the COVID-19 virus surged impacting the lives of everyone around the world. Quickly, nations and states began to lockdown as people were required to stay inside and socially distance from one another. The pandemic changed the lives of collegiate football players’ drastically. It left collegiate football players stranded away from teammates, coaches, families, and resources. The research design was a mixed method design consisting of both qualitative and quantitative data. The data obtained from this research focused on major themes of how collegiate football players perceived the pandemics virtual college experience, the challenges …

Importance Of Coaches' Communication: A Pathway To Understanding The Effect On High School Female Athletes And Body Image, Michelle Kraemer

Leadership Education Capstones

This paper explores the importance of communication on body image issues between coaches and high school female athletes. The purpose of this study is to better understand how coaches’ communication on body image issues effect high school female athletes. This research focused on two high schools in southwest Wisconsin. The research design was a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collected through a survey. The data from the study focused on the high school female athletes’ responses to the “Fat Talk Questionnaire” and their perspective on four multiple choice questions. The four multiple choice questions included a demographic question about …

Barriers And Solutions Correlated With The Implementation Of Correct Sports Nutrition Practices At A Public Ncaa Division Ii University In The Midwest., Andrew Graber

Leadership Education Capstones

Sports nutrition guidelines are an integral part of athlete performance. The guidelines are established through the American College of Sports Medicine to best guide student athletes for their specific sport. However, even with the guidelines established there are low adherence rates among student athletes who face unique barriers and therefore require solutions to increase adherence to the guidelines. The study aims to identify specific barriers that student athletes face based on their perspectives and opinions. Once the barriers are identified the study provides potential areas of focus to increase adherence rates through the provision of solutions.

To gain insight into …

How Has The Covid-19 Pandemic Changed The Well-Being And Athletic Identity Of Collegiate Student-Athletes?, Malissa Leclaire

Leadership Education Capstones

This qualitative study explored the changes that collegiate student-athletes have experienced in their well-being and athletic identity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was conducted through individual interviews. Participants indicated changes in their well-being that they experienced included: (1) uncertainty, (2) limited social interactions, and (3) maintenance of physical health. Participants also indicated that the changes they experienced in their athletic identities included: (1) a stronger athletic identity, and (2) the transition out of athletics. Recommendations for future research include expanding the study to a larger sample size and examining the psychological effects the student-athletes experienced from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Relationship Building Communication Between Female Student-Athletes And Coaching Staff, Hannah Mcglone

Leadership Education Capstones

The purpose of this study is to help female student-athletes build better relationships with coaching staff through improved ways of communication. Relationships between female student-athletes and coaching staff are one of the most important within an athletics team. Using a qualitative design including one on one interviews and surveys, some themes that emerged were being honest consistently, gender of coaching staff does have some effect on topics shared between female student-athletes and coaching staff and the different challenges building relationships with the student athletes female coach and male coach.

How Can Coaches Properly Prepare Student-Athletes For A Career After Athletics?, Joel Krenz

Leadership Education Capstones

Most of the time a student-athlete’s athletic career will end after college, but what then? So many collegiate athletes have put so much focus into their sport over the previous 10-15 years that they tend to struggle when faced with the reality that they are done. No collegiate athlete can make the transition from sport to career alone, which is why coaches, administrators, and teachers need to know how to properly prepare student-athletes for a career after athletics. This study will look to find the best ways that the faculty of an institution who work closely with student-athletes can help …

Covid-19’S Influence On Mental Health Among Collegiate Student-Athletes, Jacob Balliu

Leadership Education Capstones

The world was struck by turmoil as the COVID-19 virus surged to the surface. Affecting the lives of many. In a matter of days, the process of daily living got a new meaning. The new lifestyle of living consisted of wearing masks, self-quarantining for fourteen days, and socially distancing six feet apart. From the perspective of a college student, life was flipped upside down. Classes were moved online, and students were asked to not be on campuses across the country for months on end. Collegiate student-athletes had it much rougher. Due to the global pandemic multiple sport seasons were cancelled …

The Advantages And Disadvantages To Small Town School Districts And Their Communities After Athletics Consolidation, Kacey Lane

Leadership Education Capstones

Nothing brings a small rural town together like high school sports. Unfortunately, when high school sports hit challenging times, support for programs and participation in programs decrease. When sports programs hit low numbers in participation they need to think about the program's future. Some schools consider eliminating the programs. Graves (2010) stated that communities often resist full school consolidation to be able to protect their sports teams. Graves (2010) believes that to lose a school and its colors would relinquish one’s identity. Small communities thrive off the school districts and take pride in their academics and athletics. With the lack …

A Pilot Study On The Retention And Turnover Of Ncaa Division Ii Sports Information Directors, David Albrecht

Leadership Education Capstones

This study reports on sports information directors (SID) at the collegiate level limited to NCAA Division II athletic programs. An online survey was used for all participants, and select respondents completed follow-up interviews. Surveys were intended to determine the impact of work-life balance and overall workload of the SID role. Survey questions sought to find perceptions of SIDs by athletic administrators, including the athletic director (AD), and if their role provided opportunities for career advancement within collegiate athletic administration. The results of the study showed that institution/department culture, family, and professional growth factored heavily on retention. Adversely, turnover was linked …

Preferred Leadership Styles Of Coaches: Collegiate Athletes’ Perception Of Quality Coaches, Paul Preston

Leadership Education Capstones

The purpose of this study was to determine the most effective leadership styles judged by collegiate football athletes. Six participants were recruited from the team spanning over three grade levels. Data collection involved conducting semi-structured interviews. Data analysis revealed three main themes: (1) Leadership qualities (2) leadership styles and (3) and motivation. Results of the study support previous literature and participants preferred supportive style leadership as well as the qualities of accountability, leading by example and confidence. The implementation of these qualities and style of leadership may benefit a leader looking to improve relationships and trust with their followers.

Influences Of Coach Leadership Related To Nutrition On Collegiate Student Athletes Dietary Choices, Maria Fruechte

Leadership Education Capstones

The purpose of this study is to better understand how coach leadership related to nutritional information influences collegiate student athletes’ acquisition and application of nutrition. This will be followed up to consider how the information and expectations of coaches influences athletes’ knowledge and dietary choices.

Leadership Strategies: Developing Millennial Entrepreneurs For Start-Up Micro-Gyms, Esdeina Gonzalez

Leadership Education Capstones

The purpose for this study is to explore the experiences of small business owner’s best practice strategies leading to successful business operations. Learning about these experiences will permit the millennial generation to understand what is needed for their business to start up their micro-gym. This study may be used as an introduction to millennial entrepreneurs for the survival of their own micro-gym setting a priority of importance in leadership development since research have explored the lack of development in the leadership area.

Developing Mentoring Relationships Among Collegiate Coaches Using Developmental Leadership Strategies, Lawren Mckinney

Leadership Education Capstones

A mentor is described as a role model with influence on another’s professional career (Abiddin, 2006). Mentoring comes from a development of an individual (Abiddin). Where this development is the growth of the individual to develop a leadership style (Day, 2011; Day et al., 2014). The purpose of this study is to explore how developmental leadership can help increase mentoring relationships between collegiate coaches in Division II athletics. The experiences of this phenomenon among collegiate coaches gives the opportunity to hear from them the individuals directly involved in these mentoring relationships within the program striving for continuous growth. This study …

Impact, Prevalence Of Cognitive Overload And Athlete Burnout: Division Ii Athletics, Luke Teague

Leadership Education Capstones

The purpose of this study is to explore how collegiate coaches and student athletes contribute to cognitive overload and athlete burnout.

A Phenomenological Approach On Communication Experiences Between Strength And Conditioning Coaches And Head Sport Coaches, Benjamin Charles

Leadership Education Capstones

This study investigates communication experiences between Strength and Conditioning Coaches and Head Sport Coaches using a phenomenological approach. Sixteen Strength and Conditioning Coaches were surveyed, via Qualtrics, to obtain basic demographics and answer open-ended questions to understand communication experiences and strategies Strength and Conditioning Coaches use to have effective relationships, teamwork, and athletic performance with Head Sport Coaches. Participants were required to be currently working for a DI-DIII 4-year University in the United States, have at least 1-year of Strength and Conditioning experience, an accredit certification related to training athletes at the college level, and be at least 21 years …

Winona State University Volleyball Program Covers And Inserts 2009, Winona

Volleyball Programs

No abstract provided.

Wsu Warrior Baseball Program 2012, Winona State University

Baseball Programs

This is the 2012 program for the Winona State University (WSU) Warrior Baseball team.

Wsu Warrior Baseball Program 2010, Winona State University

Baseball Programs

This is the 2010 program for the Winona State University (WSU) Warrior Baseball team.

Wsu Warrior Baseball Program 2009, Winona State University

Baseball Programs

This is the 2009 Winona State University (WSU) Men's Baseball Program.

Wsu Warrior Baseball Program 2008, Winona State University

Baseball Programs

This is the 2008 program for the Winona State University (WSU) Warrior Baseball team.

Wsu Warrior Baseball Program 2007, Winona State University

Baseball Programs

This is the 2007 program for the Winona State University (WSU) Warrior Baseball team.

Winona State University Vs. Wisconsin - Eau Claire: Football Program, Winona State University

Football Programs

The September 16, 1995 Football Program for Winona State University vs. Wisconsin - Eau Claire. The location for the game is Maxwell Field. Head Coach: Tom Hosier, Assistant Coaches: David Elliot, Chris Sepich, Myron Smith, Ronnie Williams, Wayne Beisel, Jeff Reinardy, Colby Vogt.

Nsic Metrodome Classic Xi: Football Program, Winona State University

Football Programs

The November 12, 1994 Football Program for NSIC Metrodome Classic XI. Head Coach: Tom Hosier, Assistant Coaches: Don Wistrcill, Ned James, Myron Smith, Tom Saywer, Ron Williams, Chris Sopich, Wayne Beisel, Randy Williams, Jeff Reinardy, Mike Loecher, Ken Knapczyk.

Winona State Vs. Bemidji State: Football Program, Winona State University

Football Programs

The October 15, 1994 Football Program for Winona State vs. Bemidji State. The location for the game is Maxwell Field. Head Coach: Tom Hosier, Assistant Coaches: Don Wistrcill, Myron Smith, Ned James, Tom Sawyer.

Winona State Vs. Minnesota-Morris: Football Program, Winona State University

Football Programs

The October 1, 1994 Football Program for Winona State vs. Minnesota-Morris. The location for the game is Maxwell Field. Head Coach: Tom Hosier, Assistant Coaches: Don Wistrcill, Myron Smith, Ned James, Tom Sawyer.

Winona State Vs. Wayne State, Ne: Football Program, Winona State University

Football Programs

The September 24, 1994 Football Program for Winona State vs. Wayne State, NE. The location for the game is Maxwell Field. Head Coach: Tom Hosier, Assistant Coaches: Don Wistrcill, Myron Smith, Ned James, Tom Sawyer.