Comparison of the Development of Character and Skills between Club and Varsity Athletes

Abstract

Students that wish to participate in organized intercollegiate sports programs in college face two options, club sports or varsity sports. Although both options allow for students to compete against students from other institutions, the structure and experiences of both programs is drastically different. This study aims to compare club athletes and varsity athletes on their perceptions of their coach's behaviors and the influence those behaviors have on sportsmanship development, and to identify the differences between the two sport types and the social development outcomes that are commonly associated with sports participation. The results of this study show that the assessed coaching behaviors were more predictive within varsity athletes than club athletes, and that club athletes rated wanting to develop a new skill and be physically active as more important in their participation than it was for varsity athletes.

Campus Recreational Sports Participation and Academic Cheating: A Pilot Study

“…NIRSA-supported sports programs are recognized for their focus on the holistic development of student-athletes through open participation and their emphasis on sportsmanship and ethical behaviors. Researchers have identified that participation in recreational sports programs is related to the development of participants' ethical and moral values (Beldon et al, 2022; Halls-Yanessa & Forrester, 2004; Rothwell & Theodore, 2006). This study expands this relationship and indicates a positive relationship between participation in recreational sports programs and instances of cheating.…”

“…Rothwell and Theodore (2006) found that participation in intramural sports programming is connected to the development of a person's values. Additionally, researchers have found that participation in recreational sport clubs also provides developmental opportunities for participants (Beldon et al, 2022;Halls-Yanessa & Forrester, 2004). Beldon et al (2022) found that participation in club sport programs provides college students with the opportunity to develop new skills and enhance their ethical behaviors.…”

“…Additionally, researchers have found that participation in recreational sport clubs also provides developmental opportunities for participants (Beldon et al, 2022;Halls-Yanessa & Forrester, 2004). Beldon et al (2022) found that participation in club sport programs provides college students with the opportunity to develop new skills and enhance their ethical behaviors. Additionally, Halls-Yanessa and Forrester (2004) found that leaders of sport clubs also develop new leadership skills including developing their own personal values.…”

Examining the Relationship Between Coaching Sportspersonship and Intent to Return Amongst Higher Education Students

“…Despite the depth of research conducted on coaching behaviors, researchers have focused on the general impact of coaching behaviors on student-athletes and the development of sportspersonship separately. Little research has been done to assess the role that college coaches play in the development of student-athlete's sportspersonship behaviors (Beldon et al, 2022).…”

“…Furthermore, prior research utilizing the Sportsmanship Coaching Behaviors Scale (SCBS) found additional specific coaching behaviors within youth sports that foster the development of sportspersonship within athletes (Beldon & Walker, 2022; Bolter & Kipp, 2018; Bolter et al, 2018; Bolter & Weiss, 2013). Recently, Beldon et al (2022) compared varsity and club athletes on their perceptions of coaching behaviors and their perception that coaches care about sportspersonship behaviors, showcasing that sportspersonship is still a desired outcome within collegiate sports. In collegiate sports, sportspersonship, or sportsmanship as historically referenced, as athletes, coaches, game officials, and fans displaying behaviors based on values of being respect, civility, and integrity (NCAA, 1997; NIRSA Communications, 2015).…”