Exploring the legitimacy of wheelchair basketball as an NCAA emerging sport

Abstract

Given the frustrations of wheelchair basketball athletes’ media portrayal, NCAA recognition of the sport would presumably be paramount. While this status has been argued for in past research (e.g., ), the legitimacy of such a moniker has not been studied. Accordingly, this study sought to explore whether the attainment of NCAA recognition for the sport of collegiate wheelchair basketball would be an appropriate endeavor under the NCAA bylaws as of 2014. Applying the constant comparative method for document analysis, the study examines the legitimacy of this moniker with respect to the requisite number of teams for emerging sport status, divisional alignment, academic eligibility, Title IX, and institutional recognition. Ultimately, the study recommends that female collegiate wheelchair basketball teams apply first for NCAA emerging sport status, while men’s teams could follow, provided the requisite number of teams rule could be waived.