The value of intercollegiate athletic participation from the perspective of employers

The value of intercollegiate athletic participation from the perspective of employers Public Deposited

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Creator

Chalfin, Peter Lawrence
- Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Exercise and Sport Science

Abstract

Many companies specifically target former student-athletes when hiring employees (Henderson, Olbrecht, & Polachek, 2006; Soshnick, 2013). This study utilized attribution theory to identify which skills employers believe that student-athletes develop through athletics that make them more qualified to succeed in their industry. A survey of 50 employers revealed ten qualities/skills most strongly associated with athletic participation. Additionally, the employers' perceived value of athletic participation was significantly impacted by the athletic success and leadership experience of the student-athlete. The sport, level of competition and gender of the student-athlete were not found to have a significant impact on the perceived value of athletic participation. The results of this study add to the literature examining the value of athletics and support the argument that intercollegiate athletics are aligned with the goals of higher education as they help develop student-athletes into future leaders (Brand, 2006; Duderstadt, 2009).

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