Chapter 7: Interscholastic and Intercollegiate Sport

1. Chapter 7: Interscholastic and Intercollegiate Sport C H A P T E R 7 Interscholastic and Intercollegiate Sport

2. Chapter Outline • Interscholastic Sport • Collegiate Sport • Chapter Summary

3. Trends in Interscholastic Sport • U.S. participation at all-time high in 2008-2009, 55.2% of students (Texas has most) • Most popular sports (by participant numbers) • Boys: Football, track, basketball, baseball, soccer • Girls: Track, basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer • Play for same reasons seen in youth sport (such as fun, skills, exercise)

4. Discussion • What are the three participant groups identified in interscholastic sport in the landmark survey on American Youth and Sports Participation (Ewing and Seefeldt 1990)? • If you participated in high school sport, which of the three were you in? What about your classmates?

5. Figure 7.1

6. Interscholastic Sport and Community • Community programs often feed high school teams. • Most successful interscholastic programs have solid youth programs. • More affluent areas have better facilities. • High school teams become more selective due to the talent pool, increasing the competitive nature.

7. Positive Effects of Participation in High School Sport • Better academic performance, attendance • Development of moral, social, and long-term health • Resistance to drug and alcohol abuse (continued)

8. Positive Effects of Participation in High School Sport (continued) • Success in college • Fewer behavioral problems • Better self-image • Development of leadership skills

9. Negative Effects of Participation in High School Sport • Character development research is not clear. • Statistics do not include students who cannot play due to low grades. • Increases tendency to binge drink. • Emphasis is on athletics rather than academics. • Girls struggle with identity conflict between traditional values and new opportunities.

10. Negative Socioeconomic Effects of Participation in High School Sport • Schools now implement fee system that reinforces elitism and decreases participation by 30% • Better facilities and resources in higher socioeconomic areas • Athletes are generally from more privileged backgrounds, giving them a head start • Tensions (athletes vs. nonathletes)

11. Intercollegiate Sport Profile • NCAA governs 1,288 schools • NAIA governs 300 schools • National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) governs 550 two-year schools • 418,000 NCAA athletes in 23 sports • 1981-1982: Men 167,055, women 64,390 • 2007-2008: Men 240,261, women 178,084 • Basketball top sport for men and women

12. NCAA Divisions • Division I • FBS = 119 colleges • FCS = 119 colleges • I – non-football = 93 college • Division II = 291 colleges • Division III = 429 colleges

13. Discussion • What is positive about intercollegiate sport? • What is negative?

14. Positives About Intercollegiate Sport • School pride • Distraction from hard work • Fame • Free publicity from media • Helps with future employment • Helps with discipline and time management

15. Negatives About Intercollegiate Sport • Athletic programs often lose money. • Pressured to operate as big business. • Athletes sometimes not academically ready. • Lack of time affects athletes’ grades. • Lack of time affects social life, circle of friends. (continued)

16. Negatives About Intercollegiate Sport (continued) • Programs sometimes engage in illegal recruiting. • Athletes isolated on campus. • “Easy” majors are encouraged. • Sport events can be big parties for students.

17. The Drake Group: 7 Suggested Reforms for College Sport • Athletes must maintain 2.0 GPA. • No freshman eligibility allowed. • Sport may not conflict with class schedule. • Reform one-year renewable scholarships. • Eliminate term student-athlete. • Remove special academic support. • Publicly disclose course information.

18. Discussion • How realistic are the Drake Group’s suggestions? • What other approaches are being tried?