Developing Assessment Strategies for a New Undergraduate Program and an Established Doctoral Program

In order to enhance and better assess the sport administration program\u27s new undergraduate emphasis and current doctoral program, an external consultant was brought to campus. Dr. Chad McEvoy of Northern Illinois University, an alumnus of the doctoral program, visited in August. Dr. McEvoy provided several recommendations that have already been implemented, such as the creation of two new undergraduate courses. We have also begun to revise our assessment of doctoral students via a qualifying examination and yearly interviews. This project is still in progress as we implement other recommendations, and attempt to bring in another consultant

The Contemporary Sport Employee: An Examination of Sport Employee Identification (SEI)

The importance of sport employees is realized by the value they bring to sport organizations. As is with contemporary non-sport organizations, the duties and roles of all employees allow the organization to function properly and efficiently. Indeed, there has been a growing interest within the sport management discipline about the behaviors and attitudes of middle management employees (see Brimecombe, 2012; Oja, Bass, & Gordon, 2015; Swanson & Kent, 2015; Todd & Kent, 2009). The purpose of this dissertation was to specifically explore the concepts of Sport Employee Identification (SEI) brought forth by Oja et al. (2015). As part of this analysis, the two dimensions of Oja et al.’s (2015) SEI were retitled sport organizational identification and sport centric identification. To better understand SEI, it is important to ask how sport employees identify with their sport organization, how is such an identification cultivated, and how does this identification impact organizational outcomes. To explore the concept of SEI, a psychometric instrument was created. The guidelines set forth by Churchill (1979) were utilized to stipulate a rigorous developmental procedure. A focus group, an expert panel, and three separate data samples (i.e., N = 167, N = 244, N = 243) were used to begin the process of validating the instrument. The results were indications that there was a multidimensional construct that represented SEI and the two dimensions were similar to what Oja et al. (2015) had initially posited. From there, hypothesized antecedents and outcomes were examined with structural equation modeling. Two separate data collections (i.e., N = 516 and N = 555) – independent from the samples used to build the instrument – were used to statistically and theoretically investigate antecedents and outcomes related to SEI. Organizational, individual, and leadership antecedents were found to impact SEI at varying levels. Further, both dimensions of SEI did not have a relationship with counterproductive work behaviors, while the sport organizational identification dimension did positively impact sport employees’ job satisfaction, turnover intentions, and organizational citizenship behaviors. However, the sport centric dimension did not have any statistical impact on any of the outcome variables. The results are signs that much work remains with the understanding of sport employees. Yet, there are several practical and theoretical implications. It appears that sport employees have an identification with the sport aspect of their organizations. While there are ways by which sport administrators can grow or improve their employees’ degree of SEI, there are currently no known outcomes concerning the sport centric dimension. Future research is required to better understand the dimension and its possible outcomes

Investigating Multiplicity: Institutional Logics and Division II Commuter Student Athletes

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of commuter student athletes who were hypothesized to experience a multiplicity of institutional logics while competing at the NCAA Division II level. Second, if multiple competing logics were present, the authors intended to test a theoretical model of logic multiplicity development. Utilizing a case study methodology, the authors collected data from commuter student athletes competing at the Division II level. The study’s findings indicated that commuter student athletes perceived the presence of multiple competing logics and that these logics indicated an aligned or minimally estranged organization. In particular, the high compatibility and high centrality of multiple competing logics signified an organization aligned between academic, athletic, and family values, whereas the low centrality and low compatibility of social identification and societal factors denoted an estranged organization for commuter student athletes. The implications of this research within sport management are presented herein

Brand management in top-tier college athletics: Examining and explaining mark-usage policies

The practice of an interscholastic athletic department reproducing the logo of a collegiate team for its own use is becoming increasingly visible. Qualitative questionnaire responses from collegiate brand managers suggest that licensing departments differ in their perceptions of the outcomes associated with allowing logo replication in high school athletic departments. Perceived consequences of two enforcement strategies—prohibitive and cooperative—are highlighted, as are implications and directions for future research

March Madness in the Collegiate Sport Workplace: Cultural Implications for Sport Employees

Drawing upon Schein and Schein’s three-level conceptual framework of organizational culture, the purpose of this study was to examine how organizational culture and a sense of community manifest within intercollegiate athletics departments during March Madness. Considering the popularity of intercollegiate sport and March Madness, it is important for scholars to understand how organizational culture may influence the attitudes and behaviors of collegiate sport employees in the workplace. Thus, semi-structured interviews and observations were conducted to better understand how culture, community, and the phenomenon of March Madness traverse. Analysis of the data revealed a unique organizational culture within intercollegiate athletics departments, distinguishing them from other nonsport organizations. It was also discovered that socialization processes occur during March Madness, which can foster a sense of community. Implications for these findings are discussed and practical recommendations for collegiate athletics departments are provided

The Career Transitions of High-Profile Student-Athletes: Identity, Role Engulfment, and Psychological Well-Being

The purpose of this study is to build upon previous literature on the stages of career preparation of college student-athletes by examining identity, role engulfment, and psychological well-being as it relates to preparation for ‘post-playing days’ life. More specifically, the authors endeavored to examine the relationship between role engulfment and psychological well-being and how it affects post-athletic career transitions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 former Division I college football student-athletes who were previously student-athletes at 14 different Division I institutions. Utilizing identity, role engulfment, and psychological well-being as conceptual frameworks, this study discusses the how and why behind the experiences of high-profile student-athletes as they transition from athlete to their post-playing careers

The “New” Student-Athlete: An Exploratory Examination of Scholarship eSports Players

The growth and popularity of eSports cannot be understated. The domain has become so mainstream that colleges and universities are rapidly beginning to launch eSports programs within their athletics departments. In this study, the authors interviewed 33 student-athletes receiving scholarships for participating in eSports at one institution. In all, the identity and social capital of athletes in this “new” athletic arena were explored and compared with previous studies examining “traditional” athletes. The implications of the similarities and differences are discussed and ideas for future research into this emerging field are presented

Safety or Style? An Examination of the Role of Football Equipment Personnel

The national recognition of concussions has increased greatly over the past de-cade. While concussions have moved to the spotlight, institutional policies and procedures are just beginning their climb into the public eye. This research delves into a sphere of sport that has to date been largely ignored, the role of equip-ment personnel. Equipment personnel were chosen due to their connection to concussions and organizational power. Organizational power has traditionally rested with those who acquire the most resources. Coaches usually represent such power. However, power can also be derived from maintaining resources. Quali-tative methodology was utilized to gauge the perceptions of equipment person-nel on a variety of topics related to organizational power and concussions. The results revealed that equipment personnel have little overall professional power. Although a majority of participants reported that they believed they retained the power to choose protective equipment for student-athletes, this autonomy was neither consistent nor sovereign. Informal power structures were discovered in which coaches were thought to have more power than their formal supervisors. Administrators should consider implementing policies that grant greater autono-my to equipment personnel in order to better protect student-athletes

American Football and Facilities at the University of Colorado: Contributions Toward Building the Institution Before Folsom Field

The present study sought to understand more about which individuals or groups influenced the development of the University of Colorado’s (CU) football grounds (i.e., American football) and to determine how their evolving complexity (e.g., increasing size, services, technology, and capacities) shaped the image of an elite institution and the cultural ascension of the Rocky Mountain region in the Western United States. More specifically, the current research showcases how football and early playing grounds served as institutional social anchors and influenced or addressed enrollment growth, cultivated alumni relationships, produced or rallied financial support, and promoted the school. Next, the present study determines whether the various construction projects and renovations of CU football athletic grounds match the larger pattern practiced by other institutions of higher education, both regionally and nationally. Finally, the current research demonstrated that CU used football and its stadia, like other institutions of higher education, as a strategic social anchor for students, alumni, local (i.e., Boulder) community members, and businesses to interact or engage one another. As a social anchor, CU football, and its related facilities, helped the institution create and maintain a unique institutional identity among its competitors

Organizational Behavior in Sport Management

Practitioner interviews provide insight into theory application, allowing students to see relevance of the topic to career goals, be challenged to find their managerial style, and compare their strategies to the strategies of someone working in the sports industry QR linked audio files containing excerpts of practitioner interviews and summaries of chapter content encourage student engagement Case studies allow students to immerse themselves in the industry related issues, challenging assumptions, and encouraging higher-order thinking.https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/health-kinesiology-facbookshelf/1007/thumbnail.jp