This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of first-generation college student-athletes (FGCSA) at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III institutions and how their participation in intercollegiate athletics influenced their sense of belonging. A total of 10 FGCSA participants from three member…

The top of the lineup is a baseball term that refers to the first few players at bat. In baseball it is a term to be revered as those players are considered exceptional. Baseball, as are many intercollegiate sports, is highly competitive. Therefore, with the high level of competition for a spot, in perspective, these college players are all the…

The transition from high school to college in American culture signifies a profound life experience marked by ecological and developmental shifts. This period exposes college students, particularly first-year students, to heightened susceptibility to mental illness, with alarming statistics indicating that 1 in 3 will experience symptoms…

Sexual assault on college campuses is a significant concern and deemed a public health problem. Research suggested that certain groups, such as male college student athletes, may be the main offenders and contributors to the problem. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between acceptance of specific rape myths and…

To improve academic accountability and graduation rates of student-athletes among its member institutions, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) designed and implemented the Academic Progress Rate (APR) and the Division I Head Coaches Academic Progress Rate Portfolio (HCAPRP). The NCAA believed that the direct influence of the head…

Intercollegiate athletics programs have become a signature brand for many colleges and universities and have become a prominent revenue builder for many institutions. The problem addressed in this qualitative multiple case study was the lack of understanding of perceptions of current and former student-athletes regarding actions that college…

Intercollegiate athletics is a major segment of numerous college and university communities across America today. Student-athletes participate in strenuous training and competition throughout their college years while managing to balance the rigorous academic curriculum of the higher education environment. This research aims to explore the…

The concept of retention in higher education institutions is certainly a hot topic. Institutions have explored first year seminars, engagement with faculty and creating a culture of connectivity and belongingness among the student population to include extra-curricular activities in creating an engaged student that will persist until graduation.…

This study is focused on the process of leadership identity development through an in-depth analysis of the experiences of and influences on intercollegiate female student-athletes at a mid-south, mid-size university that participates in Division 1 collegiate athletics. Research was conducted within the theoretical framework of the Leadership…

The relationship between university sponsored student's athletics and academic achievement has been an evolving trend of discussion both at the high school and college level. However, a dearth of literature illustrates this relationship at the college level. This study investigated the importance of college athletics and whether participation in…

Competing within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) involves an inherent risk of injury. For the student-athletes who experience serious injuries, the subsequent difficulties can be hard to navigate. While most research focuses on the athletic identity of recovering student-athletes, little is known about how they are affected…

Even though Title IX was enacted 46 years ago, countless universities continue to struggle with compliance, and do not provide equitable opportunities for women. The purpose of this qualitative study was to conduct an anonymous online survey of athletic staffs at each of the 14 Southeastern Conference schools and study ten years of data…

Too few studies relating to motivation and wellness have targeted the NCAA Division II student-athlete (SA) population. PURPOSES: To examine differences in SAs' sport motivation (SM) types over three time points as well as multi-dimensional wellness (MDW) levels in SAs during one time point. METHODS: Overall, 530 Division II SAs (nmales = 355,…

Many key factors -- including but not limited to -- sleep, nutrition, travel, stress, and practice influence the optimization of athletic performance. Although previous studies have investigated the use of wearable technology in sport to track several such factors, peer-reviewed research specific to WHOOP technology is limited at best. The purpose…

The number of students at colleges and universities throughout the country continues to decline at a substantial rate. One group that has been affected dramatically by this increasingly competitive marketplace is small private institutions. Many of these institutions are members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division…