An Examination of Influences and Factors on the Institutional Selection Processes of Freshmen Student-Athletes at Small Colleges and Universities

ABSTRACT

This study sought to identify institutional selection factors most influential upon small-college student-athletes. Mean scores for 229 freshman student-athletes from six institutions were analyzed using a modified Student-Athlete College Choice Profile Scale. The sample was also stratified by gender and sports-program categories. Overall, four of the 10 most significant factors were related to sports programs. Male and female athletes appeared similarly motivated by four factors, though not identically ranked. Influences differed between revenue-sport participants, with seven sports program factors among their top 10 influences, and non-revenue sport participants, with three sports program factors among their top 10 influences. Results imply that factors influencing small-college student-athletes' institutional choices combine athletic, academic, and campus-related influences, and that personnel could best recruit student-athletes with strategies incorporating amenities, public relations, and academics.

KEYWORDS:

• Student-athlete recruiting
• student-athlete selection criteria
• small colleges and universities
• academics and athletics
• institutional marketing