The impact of football on student–athletes with education-impacting disabilities

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of football on student–athletes with education-impacting disabilities. Nine football student–athletes diagnosed with education-impacting disabilities at one NCAA Division I institution participated in this study. Data from the semi-structured interviews revealed three themes: focus development, maturity development, and self-improvement. Overall, the data divulged that playing football allowed the participants to focus, clear their minds, become mentally strong, and develop a resilient work ethic. The participants also credited the sport for becoming better men.

KEYWORDS:

• Education-impacting disabilities
• learning disability
• ADHD
• football
• student–athletes
• student involvement theory
• sport participation
• college athlete

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on contributors

Sarah Stokowski currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation at the University of Arkansas. Her research interest in the field of sport management revolves around issues in intercollegiate sport and athlete development.

Andrew Goldsmith is a post-doctoral research fellow within Temple University’s Sport Industry Research Center (SIRC). His research focuses on organizational behavior, ethical decision-making, and sport whistleblowing motives.

Dr. Chris Croft is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management in the College of Business and Economic Development and School of Marketing at the University of Southern Mississippi. His research focuses on intercollegiate athletics, coaching, and sport security.

Shelby Hutchens is a doctoral student in the Health, Human Performance, and Recreation Department at University of Arkansas. His research current research focuses on student-athlete development and psychological predictors of behavior in sport.

Alison Fridley is a doctoral candidate in the Health, Human, Performance, and Recreation Department at the University of Arkansas. Her research focuses on intercollegiate sport promotion and the development and experience of athletes.