Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, 2023, Educational Administration

Coaching, training, and developing are the basic fundamental roles and responsibilities of coaches who are dedicated to helping student-athletes achieve their personal athletic goals. The value of social support, connections, and relationships are underestimated and less visible, within the practices and structure of Athletic Organizations. This phenomenological action research study explores the experiences, challenges, and achievements of seven Black collegiate student-athletes. Their lived experiences are highlighted, not by the degree of athletic coaching or training, but magnified by the quality of robust relationships identified as influential social connections and supportive networks. While society contextualizes coaching in the same manner as mentoring, this research gives significance to the relational connections of coaches and peers, and provides meaning and understanding to the importance of trust, relational interactions and social connections. The presence of influential relationships are depicted in their experiences, challenges and achievements and addresses the question of how Athletic Organizations can use their student athletes lived experiences to decide how to prepare Black student-athletes for college.

Committee: Corrine Brion Ph.D. (Committee Chair) Subjects: Education; Educational Leadership; Health Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2024, Higher Education (Education)

Female student-athletes encounter unique challenges in navigating their social and mental well-being, often intensified by various stereotypes and pressures within athletic culture. This study explores the experiences of female student-athletes in community creation as well as how the various communities contribute to their growth and development. Former NCAA female softball players from a mid-size institution located in the Midwestern United Students were interviewed, using basic qualitative research methods, to understand their experiences. Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory served as the theoretical framework, with an intersectional lens to account for diverse experiences. The study addresses the gap in literature and provides insights into supporting female student-athletes' holistic well-being. Limitations include the binary gender classification within athletics and the focus on one sport at one institution. The findings present the opportunity to inform future research and practical efforts to enhance support for female student-athletes.

Committee: Peter Mather (Committee Chair); Brittany Peterson (Committee Member); Tamarine Foreman (Committee Member); Laura Harrison (Committee Member) Subjects: Higher Education; Higher Education Administration

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2018, Sociology (Arts and Sciences)

While previous studies have examined the identity of student-athletes, more information is needed about the identity, type of retirement and social and emotional support received during a student- athlete's retirement when they transition from being a collegiate athlete to life post- retirement. Using interview data, the present study uses a symbolic interactionist lens and focuses on the transition process. The data suggests that despite a student-athlete's identity being deeply entrenched, those in this study were able to have a relatively easy retirement transition. During their transition they received support from a variety of groups; the most prominent was their families. Social class is one factor that is a potential buffer during the retirement transition. Discussion centers on details of identity formation, the easiest and most difficult parts of retirement and expands on social and emotional support. Limitations of this study and future directions are discussed as well.

Committee: Rachel Terman (Committee Chair); Thomas Vander Ven (Committee Member); Christine Mattley (Committee Member) Subjects: Sociology

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2013, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Health Education

This study examined collegiate student-athletes' knowledge of injury, injury prevention, and barriers to seeking out an athletic trainer based upon basic demographic information (sex, sport, ever injured, ever visited an athletic trainer). A total of 100 collegiate student-athletes completed a valid and reliable survey. Results indicated the knowledge of injury prevention based on ever visited an athletic trainer to be statistically significant. Top barriers to seeking out an athletic trainer included the ability to self- treat, injury not serious enough to seek out athletic trainer, and not wanting coach to know injured. Information from this study may assist athletic trainers and other professionals working with collegiate student-athletes.

Committee: Rebecca Vidourek Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Keith King Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Accounting

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2005, Physical Activity and Educational Services

An examination of the NCAA's history reveals that the association was formed primarily to protect the health, safety, and welfare of student-athletes. However, aside from the initial reforms to the game of football, many critics of the Association contend that the NCAA has focused more on commercial gains than the needs of their student-athletes (Byers, 1995; DeVenzio, 1986; Knight Foundation Commission, 2001; Sperber, 1990). Both Cedric Dempsey and Myles Brand have expressed the need for the NCAA to become more aware of the conditions student-athletes face both on and off the field. Therefore, this study utilized face-to-face individual interviewing method, to investigate varsity student-athletes in revenue producing sports (a) general perceptions of the NCAA and (b) whether these perceptions match the NCAA's stated purposes and goals. Taken as a whole, the study sought to render qualitative data to better understand what factors played a role in student-athletes' perceptions, what experiences have had the greatest influence on these perceptions, and what are the greatest concerns of student-athletes in revenue producing sports. In this study, the researcher discusses how the identified themes help answer the research questions and relate to or expand upon the literature. The researcher also discusses the emergence of a new theory that is grounded in the data. Lastly, the author offers several recommendations based on the study's findings and discusses future research on this topic.

Committee: Janet Fink (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2012, Sociology (Arts and Sciences)

Drawing on data from thirteen qualitative interviews this thesis aims to understand the experiences of Black male student-athletes at a predominantly white university. Robert Park's (1928) theory of the marginal man is the guiding framework for this study. Taking the marginal man theoretical framework into mind, Black male student athletes are an interesting group to study because they occupy a unique social location,one on the margins. Respondents expressed that they experience stress and are marginalized academically, athletically, and socially. Respondents' perceptions of social support have also been recorded and analyzed. Findings suggest that the respondents view stressful experiences and subsequent experiences with social support at the university to be a consequence of a combination of their race and role as student-athletes.

Committee: Debra Henderson PhD (Committee Chair); Cynthia Anderson PhD (Committee Member); Thomas Vander Ven PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Sociology