This dissertation addresses the role of broad-based consultation processes in sport policy formulation using a primarily neo-institutional framework. Specifically, I examine the three factors influencing participation: contextual, institutional and structural forces on consultation. The contextual factors encourage the State to develop institutional mechanisms, such as consultation. Despite these pressures to be more inclusive, the State retains control of the structural factors and the institutional factors to a lesser extent. In the case of the formulation of the Canadian sport policy, the role of these factors led to a consultation process that had a real but limited impact. This thesis contributes to the literature on two levels: theoretical and empirical. Theoretically, it develops a framework to determine the role of broad-based consultation. Empirically, it generates new knowledge of these processes and sport policy formulation in general. It demonstrates how the governance framework is useful in explaining the contextual factors encouraging the development of consultation processes. In combination with the neo-institutional literature, it outlines additional factors influencing sport policy formulation (intergovernmental relations, institutionalized relations and ideas). The research argues that these have the capacity to constrain/enable participation. Finally, it also argues that while the State is influenced by the contextual forces and institutional factors flowing through policy formation; it retains control of a number of structural factors (such as information, interaction/dialogue, stage in the policy process, and the list of participants) at its disposal enhancing its capacity to influence the process. The research findings indicate that broad-based consultation processes influence sport policy formulation, albeit very incrementally. This led to a real but limited impact. It demonstrates how the federal government was able to use consultation as a tool to obtain buy-in from governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in the sport policy sector. Even though the impact was limited, it was real nonetheless. It also provided a unique opportunity for participants to interact in a setting which included an interesting mix of participants which was quite novel for the sport policy sector.

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The general problem in this study was to investigate the perceptions of the faculty representative to athletics with regard to intercollegiate athletics. This national study included the faculty representatives at all NCAA Division IA institutions in the United States. The return rate was 69% (N = 95). Particular concern was given to these specific areas of intercollegiate athletics: (a) the role of intercollegiate athletics, (b) funding of intercollegiate athletics, (c) recruitment of athletes, and (d) governance of intercollegiate athletics. A questionnaire was utilized to gather the responses. Based on this investigation, it was concluded that the faculty representative should have a more active leadership role in assisting the president on matters related to the governance of athletics. Furthermore, contrary to current beliefs, the faculty representative views intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of higher education. Also, the representatives believe that the athletic departments of their respective universities encourage an athlete to pursue his academic work. / Ed. D.

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M.Comm. / The world-wide professionalisation of sport has created an increasing need for trained sport managers. In the South African context, a variety of Sport Management Programmes exist but guidelines and recommendations for training specifically of the South African school sport manager have neither been set nor implemented. In the view of scarce resources, demands and challenges posed by the holistic development in the new outcomes based education the school sport manager needs to be trained. Therefore, it is necessary that research be done in this area to identify and describe the competencies of the school sport manager. The aim of the study is to describe the competencies of the school sport manager in order to provide guidelines and recommendations for appropriate education and training. To find possible solutions, the historical development (longitudinal) of sport and other means of physical participation as well as the development of children and the role the school plays in that development is explored and described. Different sociological theories informed the conceptual framework for contextual description and analysis. The competencies of the school sport manager, within a commercialized context, are described with reference to its functional components and professional requirements. The methodology includes structured self-administrated interviews, preceded by a self-designed questionnaire that was completed by 12 secondary school representatives. The results indicated that the management of school sport is especially varied, politicized and complex. There is a statistically meaningful difference between the required competencies of school sport managers and what is currently in place. Relative small differences in the requirements of the management competencies of school sport managers exist according to the focus of various sport codes. Various potential shortcomings with varying scope in the competencies of the school sport manager were identified in the survey. It would be possible for the school sport manager to acquire the necessary competencies through fundamental, core and elective contents and learning outcomes during Sport Management training. Guidelines and recommendations for future training are offered.

<p> Student nurse athletes may experience difficulties effectively obtaining academic success in nursing programs. Many athletes need extra support and assistance to complete a nursing degree. Some institutions provide general academic courses to enhance the athlete&rsquo;s academic skills and knowledge. There is limited literature addressing success of student athletes in Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. The purpose of this study was to identify facilitators, barriers, and motivators of student nurse athletes that attribute to academic success. A quantitative descriptive comparative study was conducted from September 8, 2014 to October 3, 2014. Data were obtained on sixty-one participants that included athlete and non-athlete nursing students. All participants completed the Demographic-Socio-Economic Questionnaire and the Facilitators/ Barriers Questionnaire. In addition, the athletes (n=18) also completed the Motivational Questionnaire. Results indicated that both groups ranked academics as requiring the highest demand of time. In second rank were athletics (athletes) and family (non-athletes). Both groups ranked time management as first and prioritization second as being critical to academic success. Student athletes identified facilitators as support with time management and prioritization. Barriers were schedule conflicts between classes and clinical days. Motivators were the needs to successfully complete academic and athletic related tasks. This study reinforced the importance of academic support services for student nurse athletes to assist in their academic success. These services can provide time management and prioritization skills which are facilitators needed to assist the student in managing the unique characteristics of being a successful student nurse athlete.</p>

Baseball fans discuss and remember the heroics of Major League Baseball players and managers. However, team executives operate away from the crowds, in the front office to draft, trade for, and sign talented players and managers to construct successful teams. The intent of this thesis is to first rank and analyze these general managers and presidents of baseball operations through finance and baseball statistics. Then, I will examine team statistics to determine what statistics correlate to winning. Two of the general managers, Theo Epstein and Dan O’Dowd, will then be examined more thoroughly to determine how their decisions impacted their respective teams. Ultimately, this paper will conclude with an assertion that the strategic actions of upper level executives in Major League Baseball directly positively and negatively impact the performance of their teams.

Title: Doping and management in elite sport Objectives: The main aim of this diploma thesis is to find the opinions of the cardinal representatives from professional sport, i.e. top sports officials and elite sportsmans, to doping, who may have the different attitudes to this issue from their position and roles. Methods: In this diploma thesis were used two methods for collection of data. Specifically, the method of questionnaires and semi-structured interview method. Mixed type of research was selected due to deeper into the issue. In the diploma thesis was also used the method of analysis or comparison, mostly to gather sufficient information for the development of theoretical foundations of work. Results: Results of mixed research are interpreted in the research of this diploma thesis. The results of this study found the opinion of the cardinal representatives from professional sport, sports managers and the elite sportsmans, to doping. The results can serve as a basis for future research in this area, for example, when comparing the sports company to the general public, as to whether individuals who show more willingness in the use of doping, they have a different attitude to their body and health than individuals who do not want to show this willingness. Keywords: doping, management, sports...

Dr. Kelly Price looks at the ways new technology like augmented and virtual reality can help boost the coverage and popularity of women's golf.