United States Sports Academy - "America's Sports University"

Abstract

The concept of leadership has gained a large amount of attention in recent years. This paper investigated the relationships between transformational leadership and organizational effectiveness in the field of recreational sport and leisure. First, it reviewed a discussion on the problem of organizational leadership from the perspective of the transactional-transformational model, particularly the arguments of researchers such as Burns and Bass. It examined the components of transformational leadership, then investigated several approaches regarding the conceptualization and measurement of organizational effectiveness. Finally, it looked at the controversy concerning the impact of transformational leadership upon organizational effectiveness. It argued that greater transformational leadership seems to be at least indirectly related to a higher degree of organizational effectiveness.

INTRODUCTION

In this paper, we describe a study in which we investigate attitudes held by student-athletes and non-athlete students towards academic and athletic success. Athletic success is largely viewed in the United States as a vehicle for disadvantaged students to attain higher education. Most colleges and universities in the U.S. have admittance programs in which a designated percent of students who do not meet standard admissions criteria are allowed to enroll. According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (1995), about 3% of all students enter college under these programs. However, more than 20% of college football and basketball players enter universities under special admittance programs (Lapchick 1995). Thus, athletic prowess may allow for an increased opportunity for education.

Introduction

Athletics and the administration of athletics at the collegiate level are undergoing a continual metamorphosis. No longer is athletics seen as just "fun and games" for the entertainment of fans. Nor can it be considered only big business, making large amounts of money for the sponsoring institution. It has become a combination of the two, entertainment and business, all within the structure and mission of higher education.

Abstract

In this study, the effects of physical exercise to eliminate the anxiety in university youth was investigated. The study covered 311 students who had never involved in physical exercise or any form of physical exercise. They were from 7 different departments of Education Faculty of Konya Selçuk University. State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) by Spielberger was applied to the students. The first 60 who had the highest anxiety scores were determined. Half of 60(30 student) participated in physical exercise while the other 30 were accepted as the control group. Pre, mid and post-test were administered to both the test and control group. Results were estimated by ANOVA. As a result ; the anxiety level of female students was found to be higher comparison to males' depending upon the gender. In addition, the results also showed that participation physical exercise and physical activities decreased the anxiety level of both sexes. According to the age, a similar level of anxiety was seen at the beginning. It appeared that these activities had a reduction in anxiety levels of all age categories. The reduction mentioned above was found highest in 19-20 age group. According to fields, the physical exercise activities played a very important role in minimizing the anxiety. This effect was the most reliable on the students of music department. As a result, it has been concluded that physical exercise activities played a very notable role to eliminate anxiety of the university youth.