A Comparative Analysis of Sport Participation Motivations of NCAA Division I Student-Athletes: An International Focus

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to (a) examine the sport participation motivations of current NCAA Division I international student-athletes to participate in their college sport and (b) to compare the sport participation motivations of international student-athletes competing in the NCAA Division I with the sport participation motivations of domestic NCAA Division I student-athletes. The theoretical framework for this study is self-determination theory, which is a method for understanding human motivation that focuses on the direction of motivation and factors that influence behavior (). The continuum of motivation ranges from amotivation to extrinsic motivation to intrinsic motivation. A total of 486 student-athletes completed the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS) originally developed by Briere, Vallerand, Blais, and . Results did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference between intrinsic motivation (F = 0·90; p = 0·34) for domestic (M = 5·37; SD = 1·18) and international (M = 5·49; SD = 1·11) student-athletes; however, international student-athletes reported significantly higher levels of introjected regulation. The findings of this study may assist intercollegiate coaches and athletic administrators to understand how student-athletes are motivated and allow them to develop strategies that increase motivation.

Keywords:

• Motivation
• student-athletes
• sport participation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sarah Stokowski

Sarah Stokowski, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Eastern Illinois University

A native of Aurora, Illinois, Sarah Elizabeth Stokowski recently graduated with her Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee in Sport Management. Sarah’s passion for athletic student-life and athletic academic reform has sparked her interest in assisting student-athletes in becoming successful on and off the playing field. Her research interests lie in examining the transitions, motivations, and experiences of student-athletes with diagnosed learning disabilities and ADHD. Currently, Sarah and her two dogs, Sweeney and Scout, reside in Charleston, Illinois where Sarah is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Eastern Illinois University.

Landon T Huffman

Landon T. Huffman, Ph.D. Student, University of Tennessee

Huffman is a doctoral student in the Recreation and Sport Management program at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research interests include examining holistic care for active and retired athletes and coaches, particularly exploring the role of faith and spirituality in sport. Landon’s interests also include analyzing leadership and personnel’s impact on branding initiatives in collegiate athletic departments. His experiences in sport management include working in intercollegiate football operations, sport marketing, event operations, compliance, academic advising, and student-athlete development.

Thomas J Aicher

Thomas J. Aicher, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Cincinnati

His research agenda has focused on the impact of culture and discrimination on gendered leadership stereotypes within sport organizations. As an avid endurance athlete (i.e., runner and cyclist) he is now focused on the sport event industry and researches individual’s motivation to attend participatory events, as well as the organizational structures to successfully create, manage, and market sustainable events, which could have a lasting impact on the community, facility, and event.