1. Chapter 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 , 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?
Reluctant participants: Of participants, 25% joined due to outside pressure.
Image-conscious socializers: Of participants, 40% are motivated by rewards or approval.
Competence-oriented athletes: These participants play for the love of the game and for self-achievement.

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
: Men 167,055, women 64,390
: Men 240,261, women 178,084
Basketball top sport for men and women

12. NCAA Divisions Division I Division II = 291 colleges
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?