Graduate Program
College Student Affairs
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
2011
Thesis Director
James Wallace
Thesis Committee Member
Lou Hencken
Thesis Committee Member
Dan Nadler
Abstract
The present study examines the perceptions of student-athletes at a mid-sized Midwest public university. The study relates the athletic, academic, and social experiences of student-athletes to their willingness to make financial contributions to the department of Athletics in the future. By knowing the degree of association to an athletic-department and/or sport team, predictors can be established to determine potential donors and their preferred recipient of support. In order to study these predictors, student-athletes were administered a survey and asked to participate in oneon- one interviews. Survey protocols were administered via a web-based survey instrument which received a response rate of 20%. Seven interviews were also conducted, representing nine different sports, in order to obtain more descriptive information regarding student-athlete experiences and perceived giving behavior.
Results showed that, on average, student-athletes considered financially contributing based on their overall collegiate experiences. According to the studentathlete sampled, a positive experience is directly related to the student-athletes' relationships with coaches and peers. The findings suggest that these positive experiences are directly relates to a heightened perception of financially contributing in the future.
Recommended Citation
Ethington, Joseph Richard, "Student-Athletes and Their Willingness to Contribute Financially in the Future to Eastern Illinois University Athletics" (2011). Masters Theses. 150.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/150
