Faculty Perceptions of Collegiate Student-Athletes: A Mixed-Methods Study

• In Event: 63.085 - Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: 63.085-5 - Poster Session: Faculty, Curriculum, and Teaching

Abstract

The current study explores and examines causes of faculty members’ perceptions of college student-athletes using an explanatory-sequential, mixed-method design. First, a quantitative scale was developed to measure 116 faculty members’ perceptions of student-athletes, which was found to be unidimensionality and reliable (α = .87). An increased frequency of teaching student-athletes, athletic event attendance, and job satisfaction correlated with positive perceptions of student-athletes. Participants were then ordered based upon their perception score and outliers (four positive, four negative perceptions) were contacted for semi-structured interviews. Interview themes consisted of: a conflicting mission between academics and athletics, the existence of stereo-types about student-athletes, additional time commitment required from faculty who instruct student-athletes, and the time and effort student-athletes expend in their chosen sport.

Authors

• Melissa Margaret Majerus, St. Cloud Technical and Community College

• Robert H. Stupnisky, University of North Dakota

• Nikolaus Theodor Butz, University of North Dakota

• Erin Sullivan Peterson, University of North Dakota