Is Authenticity and Integrity Possible for Sexual Minority Athletes? Lesbian Student-Athlete Experiences of U.S. NCAA Division I Sport

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie M. Fynes ◽  
Leslee A. Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Division I ◽  
Consensual Qualitative Research ◽  
Student Athlete ◽  
Collegiate Sport ◽  
Interview Guide

The purpose of this study was to explore the congruence of identity in 10 former U.S. NCAA Division I (DI) lesbian student-athletes using a semistructured personal identity interview guide (adapted from Fisher, 1993) and Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) (Hill, 2012; Hill, Knox, Thompson, Williams, Hess, & Ladany, 2005). Five domains, nineteen categories, and related core ideas were found in the transcribed interviews. The five domains were: (a) stereotypes and perceptions of female athletes; (b) stereotypes and perceptions of lesbians and lesbian athletes; (c) climate for LGBT athletes; (d) negotiating identities; and (e) recommendations for college campuses. The main goal of the current study was to determine whether lesbian athletes felt comfortable being who they are in the context of U.S. DI sport. Recommendations for how applied sport psychology consultants, coaches, and administrators, all of whom play an important role in athletes’ collegiate sport experience, could change the structure of U.S. universities to help lesbian student-athletes become more comfortable are given.

U.S. NCAA Division I Female Student-Athletes’ Perceptions of an Empowerment and Social Responsibility Program

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-54
Author(s):  
Alicia H. Malnati ◽  
Leslee A. Fisher ◽  
Rebecca A. Zakrajsek ◽  
Leslie K. Larsen ◽  
Matthew P. Bejar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Intercollegiate Athletics ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Female Student ◽  
Psychological Empowerment ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Division I ◽  
Consensual Qualitative Research ◽  
Social Empowerment

Because alcohol abuse and sexual violence are particularly prevalent on college campuses (Coker et al., 2011), empowering female student-athletes is a vital pursuit for intercollegiate athletics (Gill, 2008; Cattaneo & Chapman, 2010). Using consensual qualitative research (Hill et al., 1997, 2005), we interviewed eight Division I female student-athletes who participated in an empowerment program about their experiences. Five domains were revealed: (a) perception of psychological empowerment, (b) perception of social empowerment, (c) perception of physical empowerment, (d) perception of biggest “takeaways,” and (e) experience of program. Findings illustrated the importance of empowering female student-athletes to believe in themselves, to act upon those beliefs, and to build community around those beliefs.

“Do Not Question Authority”: Examining Team Rules in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women’s Basketball

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-325
Author(s):  
Leslie K. Larsen ◽  
Leslee A. Fisher ◽  
Terilyn C. Shigeno ◽  
Matthew P. Bejar ◽  
Melissa N. Madeson
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Division I ◽  
Consensual Qualitative Research ◽  
Athletic Departments ◽  
Organizational Loyalty ◽  
Supportive Environment ◽  
Women's Basketball

While the policies National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletic departments have in place regarding social media and drug abuse have been empirically investigated, research on the full battery of rules implemented by NCAA teams is scant. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the written team rules of 41 NCAA Division I women’s basketball teams to better understand the types of rules that are in place and to hypothesize the effects these rules might have on the development of an autonomy-supportive environment. Using Consensual Qualitative Research, the research team constructed seven domains with multiple categories to represent the data. The domains included the following: (a) program expectations, (b) controlled communication, (c) controlled relationships, (d) controlled appearance/attire, (e) controlled social behavior, (f) recommendations for optimal physical performance, and (g) academic expectation. Based on the results of this study, we conclude that NCAA Division I women’s basketball coaches use team rules as a tool for domination rather than a strategy for developing the autonomy of student-athletes. We offer practical suggestions for coach educators, coach developers, and coaches on best practices when creating team rules to develop an autonomy-supportive environment that strengthens organizational loyalty and improves the experiences of student-athletes.

The Existence of Sport Psychology Services Among NCAA Division I FBS University Athletic Departments and Counseling Centers

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric W. Hayden ◽  
Alan S. Kornspan ◽  
Zachary T. Bruback ◽  
Michael C. Parent ◽  
Matthew Rodgers
Keyword(s):  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Division I ◽  
Counseling Centers ◽  
Athletic Departments ◽  
University Counseling ◽  
University Counseling Centers ◽  
Division I Football

One hundred twenty university counseling centers and athletic-department websites were viewed and analyzed for the provision of sport psychology services specifically to NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division I Football Bowl Championship Series (FBS) student athletes. Using content-analysis methodology, the present research identified a fair number of university athletic departments (n = 29) and university counseling centers (n = 6) that provided specific sport psychology services. In addition, most athletic departments and counseling centers that provided sport psychology services had one individual on staff who was listed as the service provider. Results of the study are discussed in relation to providing a current understanding of the extent to which sport psychology is presently being provided to NCAA Division I FBS university student athletes. Future qualitative research is recommended to examine the work of professionals providing sport psychology services in athletic departments and counseling centers to better understand the precise nature of the services provided.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Analysis of the Intersectional Socialization of NCAA Division I Student-Athletes Across Diverse Identities

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-33
Author(s):  
Martha Serena Archer ◽  
Tony Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Predominantly White ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Division I ◽  
Predominantly White Institution ◽  
Collegiate Sport ◽  
The Social ◽  
White Institution ◽  
Division I Football

This research explores the socialization of NCAA Division I student-athletes through case study research methods to understand the influence of collegiate sport on interactions across intersectional identities. Grounded in academic theories relation to student-athlete socialization and intersectionality, this study addresses the following overarching question: What is the influence of athletic participation on the socialization of student-athletes? Interviews lasting 30-45 minutes were conducted with student-athletes (n=21) and athletic staff (n=4) associated with an NCAA Division I football program at a predominantly White institution (PWI) in the southern United States. Results suggested that the socialization of student athletes is complicated by their diverse, intersectional identities and oftentimes requires them to fall into perceived situational identities depending on the social setting.

scholarly journals ¿Por qué jugar? Sport socialization among Hispanic/Latina female NCAA division I student-athletes

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey Darvin ◽  
Alicia Cintron ◽  
Meg Hancock
Keyword(s):  
Intercollegiate Athletics ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Division I ◽  
Elite Group ◽  
Athletic Success ◽  
Potential Factors

Representation of Hispanics/Latinas in intercollegiate athletics is lacking. During the 2014-2015 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletic season, only 2.2 percent of all female Division I student-athlete’s identified as Hispanic or Latina (NCAA, 2015). This low percentage of Hispanic/Latina female participants calls into question how these young women become involved in athletics and sustain their involvement within sport. While previous research has examined the socialization processes of youth athletes and parents of youth athlete participants, there is little research aimed at examining these processes for elite-level athlete participants (Dorsch, Smith, & McDonough, 2015; Greendorfer, Blinde, & Pellegrini, 1986;). Thus, the aim of this current study was to examine the potential factors that may have contributed to consistent sport participation for an elite group of Hispanic/Latina female athletes throughout their youth and collegiate careers. Participants for this study identified as current NCAA Division I Hispanic/Latina female student-athletes. Results showed that family, specifically parents and siblings, contributed to socializing Hispanic/Latina athletes into sport, while family and coaches contributed to the persistence of their athletic endeavors. Findings also show a sense of cultural indifference, youth coaches who invested in the participants long-term, and a significant involvement of the patriarch of the family in their athletic success.

NCAA Division I Athletes’ Attitudes Toward Seeking Sport Psychology Consultation: The Development of an Objective Instrument

1997 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott B. Martin ◽  
Craig A. Wrisberg ◽  
Patricia A. Beitel ◽  
John Lounsbury
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Division I ◽  
Gender And Race ◽  
African American Athletes ◽  
Interpersonal Openness ◽  
Division I Athletes

A 50-item questionnaire measuring athletes’ attitudes toward seeking a sport psychology consultant (ATSSPCQ) was initially developed and then administered to 48 African American and 177 Caucasian student-athletes at a NCAA Division I university. Principal components factor analyses were conducted to extract initial factors and then varimax orthogonal rotation was performed. The analyses produced three dimensions of athlete attitude that accounted for 35% of the variance: stigma tolerance, confidence in a SPC/recognition of need, and interpersonal openness/willingness to try a SPC. A MANOVA and follow-up discriminant function analyses were then performed to identify the factors that maximized differences between gender and race. Significant differences in stigma tolerance were found for both gender and race. SPCs were stigmatized more by male athletes than by female athletes and more by African American athletes than by Caucasian athletes. No other significant effects were obtained.

Problematic Drinking among College Athletes

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-19
Author(s):  
Frank B. Butts
Keyword(s):  
Binge Drinking ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Peer Mentoring ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Significant Decline ◽  
Division I ◽  
Problematic Drinking ◽  
Alcohol Related Problems ◽  
Considerable Concern

Martens, O’Connor, & Beck (2006) reported problematic drinking on college campuses to be a considerable concern and that athletes have more binge drinking episodes and alcohol-related problems than non-athlete students. Wechsler, Davenport, Dowdall, Grossman, & Zanakos (1997) reported that athletes in NCAA Division I have the most alcohol related issues as evidenced by 29% of male and 24% of female athletes reported binge drinking three or more times in a two week period. To address this concern, this study incorporated a 12-month, NCAA (2008) Choices alcohol responsibility program at a NCAA II university which involved peer mentoring, education, and alcohol-free activities. The results indicated a significant decline in binge drinking and associated problems among athletes after treatment.

scholarly journals Transition Blues: The Experience of Female Collegiate Student-Athletes

2017 ◽  
pp. 25-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsie Saxe ◽  
Robin Hardin ◽  
Elizabeth A. Taylor ◽  
Josh R. Pate
Keyword(s):  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Female Student ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Collegiate Athletics ◽  
Division I ◽  
Football Bowl Subdivision ◽  
Collegiate Sport ◽  
Collegiate Experience ◽  
Division I Football

Ten female student-athletes in their third or fourth year of eligibility at an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institution participated in an in-depth, semi-structured interview in order to gain a deeper understanding their transitioning experience.  A better understanding of those experiences will enable administrators, coaches, support staff, and other stakeholders to make more informed decisions regarding this population to assist them in their transition into collegiate athletics and out of collegiate athletics. The primary themes emerged from the interviews involving transition included their own transition in and out collegiate sport as well as the transition of their coaches and teammates. The findings provide a foundation to increase awareness of the issues female student-athletes face out of the realm of sport and to better assist them in the collegiate experience.

NCAA Division I Coaches’ Perceptions and Preferred Use of Sport Psychology Services: A Qualitative Perspective

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca A. Zakrajsek ◽  
Jesse A. Steinfeldt ◽  
Kimberly J. Bodey ◽  
Scott B. Martin ◽  
Sam J. Zizzi
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Qualitative Research Methods ◽  
Division I ◽  
Athletic Programs ◽  
Consensual Qualitative Research ◽  
Access To Services

Although there appears to be greater acceptance and use of sport psychology (SP), fully integrating SP consultants and services into college athletic programs has yet to occur in most institutions. Decisions to initiate, continue, or terminate SP services are often made by coaches. Therefore, college coaches with access to services were interviewed to explore their beliefs and expectations about SP service use and how an SP consultant could work effectively with them and their athletes. Using consensual qualitative research methods, three domains in coaches’ perceptions of SP consultants were revealed: who they are, what they do, and how they do it. Findings illustrate the importance of being “on the same page” with coaches, developing self-reliant athletes, and making an impact while remaining in a supporting role.

scholarly journals Practical Strategies for Thought Leaders in College Athletics and Higher Education: Developing a “Meaningful Education and Career Preparation as Compensation” Model

2016 ◽  
pp. 61-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Bukstein
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Ncaa Division I ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
College Athletics ◽  
Journal Article ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Division I ◽  
Hourly Wage ◽  
Student Athlete ◽  
Compensation Model

Recent discussion amongst scholars and practitioners related to current issues in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college athletics has focused on areas such as the widespread commercialization of amateur sports, consistent corruption within athletics departments at NCAA member institutions, extensive exploitation of student-athletes and the necessity of a “pay for play” employee compensation model for student-athletes (see, for example, Benedict & Keteyian, 2014; Branch, 2011; Huma & Staurowsky, 2012; Nocera & Strauss, 2016; Southall & Staurowsky, 2013; Staurowsky, Maxcy, Karcher, Southall, Berri, & Otto, 2015). However, there has been minimal scholarly and industry discourse on how to leverage some of the revenues generated at the NCAA, conference and individual athletics program levels in order to develop innovative and sustainable higher education solutions that would prepare all student-athletes for career and personal success after participation in college athletics.  The primary objective of this journal article is to encourage a more informed conversation about important issues in college athletics in part by proposing several practical strategies that would improve the overall student-athlete experience and further align participation in college athletics with the core goals of institutions of higher education.  This research note provides an overview of the college athletics business model at Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institutions within Division I of the NCAA.  In addition, this article reviews the current NCAA Division I governance structure.  An accurate knowledge of the business and governance realities within college athletics is essential to understanding that paying student-athletes an hourly wage or annual salary is actually not one of the main system issues or central student-athlete wellbeing priorities of advocates for student-athletes, athletics leaders and higher education administrators.  This article analyzes the primary issues and areas in which key college athletics stakeholders presently seek change and improvement.  This article also spotlights innovative, culturally relevant student-athlete career and professional development programs recently developed by the University of Central Florida, Oregon State University and Vanderbilt University.  Finally, this article provides a series of recommendations for all stakeholders involved in college athletics to optimize the student-athlete academic and athletic experience and to improve the level of career preparedness of all student-athletes. 

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