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Perceptions of Strength and Conditioning Programs by Athletic Directors and Strength and Conditioning Coaches at Division I Mid American Conference Universities

Winkler, Dustin Michael
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1371054115

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, Higher Education.
This study investigated strength and conditioning programs in athletic departments of NCAA Division I universities in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Little research has been conducted on the perceptions of constituents associated with these programs causing a gap in the literature. The purpose of this research was to examine the perceptions of head athletic directors and strength and conditioning coaches about the organization, structure, and function of strength and conditioning programs. The theoretical lenses used in this study included Weber’s bureaucratic theories on higher education universities and Birnbaum’s problematic issues with bureaucracies. A semi-structured interview process was used to interview 10 participants (5 athletic directors and 5 strength and conditioning coaches). An analysis of the participants’ perceptions revealed six common themes. First, strength and conditioning programs within the MAC have great value, but some athletic departments clearly value their strength and conditioning programs by providing more financial resources than others. Secondly, mission statements are important documents in the daily operations of athletic departments, but the perceptions vary regarding the need for more specialized mission statements. Third, the organizational infrastructure of the MAC athletic departments is characterized by high levels of expertise and the need to add more staff to strength and conditioning programs. Fourth, resources are perceived to be the one of the most critical issues, especially in light of the rising costs of running athletic departments and the expectations to be fiscally responsible. Fifth, communication is important to athletic directors and strength and conditioning coaches in the operations of their department. Sixth, athletic directors and strength and conditioning coaches both perceive maintaining budgetary restrictions, adapting to the current economic environment, and experiencing growth and exposure as projected. Recommendations for practice include (1) staffing strength and conditioning programs appropriately, (2) developing long-term contractual agreements with performance-based incentives, (3) developing mission statements for all athletic departments and strength and conditioning programs, (4) producing and disseminating empirical data, and (5) separating strength and conditioning coaches so that they stand out from head sport coaches and occupy a higher-profile position on organizational charts.
David Meabon (Committee Chair)
Ronald Opp (Committee Member)
Eric Longsdorf (Committee Member)
Bruce Groves (Committee Member)
277 p.
Education; Educational Theory; Health; Health Education; Higher Education; Higher Education Administration; Organization Theory; Physical Education; Physiology; Recreation; Sports Management
Health and Fitness Programs; Sports Development

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Winkler, D. M. (2013). Perceptions of Strength and Conditioning Programs by Athletic Directors and Strength and Conditioning Coaches at Division I Mid American Conference Universities [Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1371054115

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Winkler, Dustin. Perceptions of Strength and Conditioning Programs by Athletic Directors and Strength and Conditioning Coaches at Division I Mid American Conference Universities. 2013. University of Toledo, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1371054115.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Winkler, Dustin. "Perceptions of Strength and Conditioning Programs by Athletic Directors and Strength and Conditioning Coaches at Division I Mid American Conference Universities." Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1371054115

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

toledo1371054115
894
© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.