Publication Date
Spring 2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Kinesiology
Advisor
Cole Armstrong; Michael Dao; Lamont Williams
Abstract
While sport ecology is a growing category in sport management literature, there is a lack of research exploring athletes’ experiences regarding environmental issues, and the impacts environmental issues have on student-athletes. The present study qualitatively explored the personal lived experiences of eight NCAA Division I student-athletes regarding environmental issues with the aim of identifying potential influences on values and beliefs through social norms and understanding the student-athlete perspective. Thematic analysis identified 152 raw data themes and 19 higher order themes, which were organized into four central themes: awareness, care and concern from athletic departments, implications, and advocacy. Generally, student-athletes perceived a lack of education and concern in university athletic departments which influence the behaviors of student-athletes in the sport context through social norms regardless of their personal values and beliefs; however, motivated student-athletes to advocate for climate change in different ways. Guided by values, beliefs, and norms theory, the results of the study suggest that participants are aware of environmental issues in sport based on personal experiences and how student-athletes are willing to become activists for environmental injustice.
Recommended Citation
Anderson-Villela, Ivanna M., "Sport and Environmental Issues: NCAA Division I Student-Athletes’ Personal Experiences" (2024). Master's Theses. 5491.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.afcz-ksez
https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_theses/5491
