There is a lack of information regarding strategic planning within athletic departments at the NCAA Division II level. A survey of all 306 NCAA DII athletic directors was implemented in an attempt to provide up-to-date data. The investigation focused on the prevalence of strategic plans within athletic departments at the NCAA DII level and a…

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of communication based simulated patient experience in graduate-level athletic training students and athletic training educators and clinical practitioners serving as mentoring coaches. This mixed methods study included the evaluation of the perceived confidence of athletic training students…

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study describes the lived experiences of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II (DII) women's soccer coaches during preseason. A two-pronged conceptual framework that includes path-goal leadership theory and sensemaking theory guided the inquiry, and data was collected through…

This qualitative study investigates the development of coaching expertise within Division I college football, conceptualizing the coaching staff as Mission Critical Teams (MCTs) within a situated learning framework. Through phenomenological analysis of 27 semi-structured interviews with current and former Division I head football coaches, this…

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the perceptions of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) coaches on name, image, and likeness (NIL) to examine the effect NIL has on the NCAA dual mission of amateurism and education. The research questions were: (1) What were the perceptions of coaches regarding NIL in NCAA schools? (2)…

Interscholastic athletics represent the most significant body within the sport industry (Fraina, Forsyth, Johnson, & Whisenant, 2022) given the lasting positive outcomes that can be enjoyed by student-athletes through their participation. With the impact of head coaches, both positively and negatively, in shaping the achievement of these…

This study investigates the attitudes and perceptions of head coaches towards the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's college sports, considering the impact of education and interaction. Despite increased visibility and advances in transgender rights, transgender athletes continue to face significant barriers in sports, rooted in societal…

Every organization in every geography and discipline is challenged to develop leaders who can be effective in complex situations. The ethical conduct of appointed leaders is of particular concern. While some individuals possess natural leadership qualities, anyone can build leadership capacity if they put in the work and have the opportunity.…

Introduction: "A good coach can change a game; a great coach can change a life" (Wooden, n.d., para. 1). The focus of this dissertation was to explore associations between attachment of high school athletes to their coach and the athlete's ability to cope in the athletic environment. In looking at high school coach-athlete relationships…

Significant research regarding longevity existed for many professions. However, very little research was conducted on longevity for small college athletic coaches. This case study sought to identify barriers that affected athletic coaches who served at small colleges in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). Participants in this study were…

Leadership strategies of high school basketball coaches and its influence on early adolescents' athletic outcomes was not well understood. The transformational and transactional leadership theory underpinned this qualitative descriptive study, exploring how high school basketball coaches who believe they are enacting transformational or…

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study describes the lived experiences of teacher-coaches, those who simultaneously hold official positions as licensed teachers and athletic coaches, as they cope with role conflict and navigate relationships with students and athletes. A three-pronged conceptual framework that includes role…

A leadership gender gap exists in politics, business, and higher education, and there appears to be one in collegiate esports. Researchers have conducted studies on some aspects of esports; however, we know little about women's experiences leading collegiate esports programs. The purpose of this qualitative study--a descriptive (transcendental)…

Coach education programs (CEPs) provide coaches with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve athlete's sport experiences. However, CEPs have historically failed to position themselves as a valuable source of coach learning (Cushion et al., 2010), indicating there is a need to evaluate and improve CEPs. Given this, the purpose of this study…

Modern leadership styles such as transformational and transactional leadership are well documented and practiced within the intercollegiate athletic industry. Although the case, inequities and historic scandals have continued to negatively impact the industry. As a result, practitioners and scholars alike have advocated for a reexamination of…