The Role of Organizational Capacity in Student-Athlete Development

Authors

  • Emily J. Andrassy Independent Scholar
  • Per Svensson University of Louisville
  • Jennifer Bruening University of Connecticut
  • Matt R. Huml University of Louisville
  • Michael Chung University of Vermont

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1123/jis.2014-0103

Abstract

In-depth interviews were conducted with the life skills coordinators of 9 of 21 institutions identified as being “dedicated” to service (Andrassy & Bruening, 2011). As a result of service being one portion of CHAMPS/Life Skills programming, we expanded our investigation to include all aspects of this student development program. In particular, we focused our inquiry on organizational capacity and its role in student involvement. Findings indicate these ‘dedicated’ athletic departments were characterized by strong organizational capacity for engaging student-athletes in meaningful service efforts. The critical role of coaches and mutual values among internal stakeholders emerged as the primary strengths of department’s human resources capacity. Despite the limited financial capacity, departments were able to creatively secure some funding for development programs. The ability to leverage external relationships, an organizational culture promoting participative decision-making and student-athlete development, and on-going efforts to improve service and life skills opportunities for student-athletes indicated strong structural capacity.

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Author Biographies

  • Emily J. Andrassy, Independent Scholar
    Andrassy is an independent scholar living in San Diego, CA. Bruening is with the Dept. of Educational Leadership, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. Svensson is with the Dept. of Sport Management, University of Louisville, Louisville, K Y. Huml is with Education Advising Student Services, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY. Chung is with the Dept. of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. Address author correspondence to Jennifer Bruening at jennifer.bruening@uconn.edu.
  • Per Svensson, University of Louisville
    Andrassy is an independent scholar living in San Diego, CA. Bruening is with the Dept. of Educational Leadership, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. Svensson is with the Dept. of Sport Management, University of Louisville, Louisville, K Y. Huml is with Education Advising Student Services, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY. Chung is with the Dept. of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. Address author correspondence to Jennifer Bruening at jennifer.bruening@uconn.edu.
  • Jennifer Bruening, University of Connecticut
    Andrassy is an independent scholar living in San Diego, CA. Bruening is with the Dept. of Educational Leadership, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. Svensson is with the Dept. of Sport Management, University of Louisville, Louisville, K Y. Huml is with Education Advising Student Services, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY. Chung is with the Dept. of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. Address author correspondence to Jennifer Bruening at jennifer.bruening@uconn.edu.
  • Matt R. Huml, University of Louisville
    Andrassy is an independent scholar living in San Diego, CA. Bruening is with the Dept. of Educational Leadership, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. Svensson is with the Dept. of Sport Management, University of Louisville, Louisville, K Y. Huml is with Education Advising Student Services, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY. Chung is with the Dept. of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. Address author correspondence to Jennifer Bruening at jennifer.bruening@uconn.edu.
  • Michael Chung, University of Vermont
    Andrassy is an independent scholar living in San Diego, CA. Bruening is with the Dept. of Educational Leadership, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. Svensson is with the Dept. of Sport Management, University of Louisville, Louisville, K Y. Huml is with Education Advising Student Services, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY. Chung is with the Dept. of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT. Address author correspondence to Jennifer Bruening at jennifer.bruening@uconn.edu.

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Published

2014-12-01

How to Cite

Andrassy, E. J., Svensson, P., Bruening, J., Huml, M. R., & Chung, M. (2014). The Role of Organizational Capacity in Student-Athlete Development. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 7(2), 218-244. https://doi.org/10.1123/jis.2014-0103