To varying degrees, institutional research (IR) offices are involved in the collection and reporting of academic, financial, and gender equity data related to their student-athletes and athletic programs. However, many institutional researchers are not familiar with athletics data and/or reporting requirements. This article discusses the degree to…

The goal of community colleges and athletics programs should not be to maintain watered-down expectations to give the illusion that student athletes are truly being successful. Rather, the goal should be to set expectations that challenge and enable individuals to do their best at becoming the best student, athlete, and citizen they are capable of…

This paper presents an overview of partial tuition waivers for athletic participation among community colleges in Washington State and its implications for state and federal gender equity policy and legislation. Using a mixed-methods approach, this article presents findings from Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act data, document analysis, and…

This article examines the impact of athletic participation on community college students through reflective commentaries provided by current and former community college student athletes. The author begins this exploration with a brief review of the literature on this topic, discusses the sample and methods used in the analysis of data, and then…

Collegiate athletic programs have often been referred to as the "front porch" of an institution. Coaches, athletic teams, student athletes, and athletic department staff serve as a "link between the immediate campus family and the larger community. It is this front-porch principle that makes managing intercollegiate athletics a unique and…

This article takes a highly critical look at athletics and responds to the question of whether contemporary community colleges should continue to maintain athletic programs, especially in times of financial constraint. For balance, the authors have chosen to focus on the negatives. They feel it is important to present a balanced picture in support…