An analysis of student-athlete perceptions of athletic, academic, and developmental opportunities at Texas A&M University /

The purpose of this study was to profile the perceptions of

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Thornton, John Henry
Format: Thesis Book
Language:English
Published: [Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified] ; 1997.
Subjects:
Online Access:http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=739842121&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Description
Summary:The purpose of this study was to profile the perceptions of
student-athletes regarding the effectiveness of athletic-
department sponsored programming related to the provision of
academic opportunity, athletic opportunity, career, personal,
and service development. A secondary purpose of the study
was to analyze key responses so as to profile the perceptions
of student-athletes on the basis of gender, ethnicity, sport
participation, and transfer status. The study utilized an
exit questionnaire developed by the researcher. The
population consisted of scholarship student-athletes (n = 83)
from the 19 sports sponsored at Texas A&M University who
concluded their athletic eligibility or declined to
participate in their respective sport in the fall 1995 or
spring of 1996. A 96.3% overall response was achieved. Each
individual participating in the study completed a self-
response questionnaire, which provided data related to
athletic department programming. After collecting student-
athlete responses, reviewing the comments furnished, and
conducting an analysis of overall and grouped ratings of
athletic opportunity the researcher concluded the following:
To afford equal opportunity for non-revenue participants
locker room facilities should be constructed, or improved,
for men's and women's cross country and track. In order to
improve athletic opportunities for men and women in the non-
revenue sports of cross country and track the current
position of a head coach for men's and women's track at Texas
A&M should be divided into two head coaching positions.
Existing promotional opportunities for women and nonrevenue
sports should be evaluated. Existing opportunities for women
and nonrevenue sports should be evaluated as they relate to
the training room and sports medicine facilities. Particular
emphasis should be given to determine if the provision of
personnel and resources is adequate to meet the needs of
women and participants in non-revenue sports. The method and
supervision utilized in the provision of required study hall
should be examined. An examination of existing formats
utilized by coaches and academic advisors in the conduct of
sport specific study hall should be evaluated. Input from
student-athletes should be obtained and utilized to develop
an understanding of the reasons for the incidence of
displeasure associated with the provision of study hall.
Item Description:Vita.
"Major Subject: Educational Administration".
Physical Description:x, 148 leaves ; 28 cm.
Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references: pages 116-126.