Date of Graduation

12-2017

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education in Recreation and Sport Management (EdD)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Health, Human Performance and Recreation

Advisor/Mentor

Dittmore, Stephen W.

Committee Member

Gray, Michelle

Second Committee Member

Moiseichik, Merry L.

Third Committee Member

Stokowski, Sarah E.

Keywords

Distributive Justice; Intercollegiate Athletics; Organizational Justice; Softball

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore fairness factors used by NCAA Division I head softball coaches in scholarship distribution. Research by Hums & Chelladurai introduced Distributive Justice principles to intercollegiate athletics; indicating need was a popular distribution principle. Continued research by Mahony, Hums, & Riemer determined need as a common distribution principle in athletics. Prior to this study, no research has been done to examine distribution principles by NCAA Division I softball coaches based on distributive justice principles. This study used a single scenario of grant-in-aid distribution with six possible decisions coaches make to determine fairness of grant-in-aid allocation, using a one-way between-subjects ANOVA measuring fairness of allocation principles by NCAA Division. Division results varied between fairness perceptions. FBS Autonomy 5 participants perceived an athlete’s performance the previous year to be most fair, while FBS, FCS, and I-AAA participants perceived student-athletes who play key positions to be most fair. In addition, participants were asked to determine which of the six allocation methods was most fair and determined student-athletes who play key positions was most fair and those student-athletes with the greatest need as least fair.

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