Studying Sport: NCAA Division II

• In Event: Roundtable Session 43
  In Roundtable Session: Studying Sport: Challenges and Opportunities for Faculty Engaging in Intercollegiate Athletics Research

Abstract

Pursing a sport-focused research agenda on a campus with an intercollegiate athletics program presents both challenges and opportunities. Institutional climate and faculty perceptions of athletics may impede access necessary for faculty to engage in scholarly inquiry (Lawrence, Hendricks, & Ott, 2007). Conversely, the shift toward data-driven outcomes and assessment in higher education is also creating opportunities for research in intercollegiate athletics (Hoffman, Antony, & Alfaro, 2010).
The objective of this symposium-style session is to address the challenges and opportunities of sport-focused research using a constructivist approach. Transformative Learning Theory (Mezirow, 1991) is the theoretical framework chosen to develop the agenda for this session. Attendees have the opportunity to engage in critical reflection of their own experiences while learning different perspectives and approaches to sport-focused scholarship. The data sources for this session are the experiences of three tenure-track faculty members at NCAA Division I, II, and III institutions and how they engage in teaching, research, and service on their respective campuses. Attendees will engage in a moderated discussion on issues such as (1) developing a sport-focused research agenda, (2) managing relationships and obtaining access to athletic departments for data, (3) identifying intra- and inter-divisional areas of inquiry, and (4) using scholarship to contribute to the profession. Participating in an open dialog allows scholars to be participatory in sharing resources and ideas instrumental in their professional development.

Author

• Markesha Henderson, University of West Georgia