An Examination of University Student-Athletes’ Motivations to Contribute

Abstract

Little research has examined why student-athletes contribute. Contribution can be defined as the actions taken by individuals that benefit their own well-being or that of their family, community, and civil society. The purpose of this study was to examine university student-athletes’ motivations to contribute. Interviews were conducted with 10 university student-athletes (three males, seven females) between 18 and 22 years of age (M = 19.4). The findings indicated student-athletes engaged in contributions for reasons that satisfied their needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Additionally, motivations to contribute represented a complex interplay of intrinsic and extrinsic motives rather than a singular motive. Contribution experiences during the university years appear to help student-athletes make informed career decisions and to develop a willingness to be lifelong contributors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Colin Jeffery Deal

a

Colin Deal is a PhD student at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). His research interests include coaches’ influences on positive youth development and life skill transfer beyond sport through community contributions.

Martin Camiré

b

Martin Camiré is an assistant professor at the University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada). Through his research, he is interested in examining how positive youth development can be facilitated in the context of sport.