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…

This dissertation seeks to introduce financial modernization as a distinct subcategory of modernization and present practical applications for sport managers. Modernization literature has shown that, as society advances, levels of complexity increase. Modernization is generally concerned about the impact of technology, transportation, financial…

For several decades business management research has addressed Organizational Ambidexterity (OA), an organization's ability to maximize their capabilities in areas of strength while also examining new techniques and areas of growth, in a variety of industries. Areas of focus in this area of research include the contributing factors to OA, how…

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate the lived experiences of professional counselors embedded in NCAA Division I athletic departments. Specifically, what are the pre-professional, educational, and professional experiences of licensed or license-eligible professional counselors who are/have been employed by or…

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the individual crisis-related experiences of administrative leaders in intercollegiate athletics. A crisis is defined as an unpredictable and unexpected event that interferes with normal operations of the organization, threatens the well-being of stakeholders, and can significantly negatively impact…

A comprehensive review of the literature reveals that sport industry research is progressing in every country worldwide at its own pace. However, there is very little research evidence about the Indian sport industry and the country's limited higher education sport management programs. While India has some of the most ardent sports fans and events…

Through this dissertation, I seek to examine the sports retirement of Division II Black male student-athletes and how they negotiate their identity as they transition into sports retirement. Consistent with similar research on Black male student-athletes, this dissertation makes the argument that the racialization of many college campuses…

The budding esports scene has drawn attention from higher education institutions in North America, who are growing community, competitive, and pedagogical esports initiatives. Varsity Esports Programs (VEPs) have proliferated since Robert Morris launched the first varsity program in 2014, with over 12,800 players from 650 institutions competing in…

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…

Historically Black Colleges and Universities athletics may be at risk of continuing in the future, primarily due to an inability to secure the funding that non- Historically Black Colleges and University institutions and programs have been able to garner historically through the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Many Historically Black…

College athletes experience college in a way that is different than their non-athlete peers. Practices, travel time, study hall, and other athletic obligations place strenuous demands on the lives and time of college athletes. As a result, college athletes have less flexible time and are often unable to engage in educationally purposeful…

This mixed methods study was an exploratory investigation of the world of athletics. The journey towards greatness, excellence, or personal success is often accompanied by countless triumphs and tribulations. Athletes, driven by their relentless pursuit of success, often become fixated on the ultimate goal, involuntarily overlooking the crucial…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how community college student-athletes who reside in the central California area describe how mindfulness training has influenced their psychological well-being. The conceptual framework comprised mindfulness-acceptance and commitment (MAC) to provide the theoretical foundation. MAC…

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)…