Perceptions of Climate of NCAA Division I Athletic Departments by LGBT and Non-LGBT Student-Athletes

• In Event: 54.071 - Diversifying the Discussion: Experiences of Underrepresented Student-Athletes

Abstract

This paper examines the results of a 53-item climate survey used to compare responses of student-athletes who do and student-athletes who do not identify as LGBT. Over 350 student-athletes from six NCAA Division I institutions participated in the survey. Results of Chi-square tests revealed a statistically-significant relationship for the predictor variables of having an out LGBT coach or teammate and for perceiving a warm LGBT climate on the greater campus while no statistically significant relationship was found for the predictor variables of personally identifying as LGBT and for sport participation by risk of injury. The results and discussion serve as a foundation on which team, departmental, institutional, and national organizational policies and practices can be structured.

Authors

• Robert Greim, Southeast Missouri State University

• Jennifer Ingrid Friend, Rockhurst University