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

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify standards for effective security management of university sport venues. Standards were developed through a series of interviews and a three-round Delphi study. Purposeful sampling was used to select participants for both the interviews and Delphi panel. Four sport security personnel participated in the interview process and an initial set of standards were developed and used for the Delphi study. The twenty-eight member Delphi panel included the athletic facility manager, campus police chief, local sheriff, and local emergency management director responsible for game day security operations at seven state-supported universities in Mississippi. Importance ratings for developed standards were assessed on a five-point Likert scale during Round 2 and 3. This study identified 134 standards in eleven categories: Perimeter Control, Access Control, Credentialing, Physical Protection Systems, Risk Management, Emergency Management, Recovery Procedures, Communications, Security Personnel, Training, Modeling, and Simulation, and WMD – Toxic Materials Protection.

This article examines the myriad ways in which RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology will impact the world of sports. In this paper, we look at how this “weird new media revolution” will have a transformative impact both on the games themselves and the fans’ experience at the stadium. We will examine how RFID is being used in sport applications from golf to soccer to racing of all forms to add previously unimaginable real-time richness and accuracy to the sports. We will also look at the use of RFID in ticketing and payment applications that will add security, control, and new revenue streams to sports operations, while giving enhanced value and services to the fan. We will conclude with a look at what this new version of Sports 2.0 will mean in the future both in and out of the sporting arena.

Abstract

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is best known for its promotion of professional wrestling as sports entertainment. Today, World Wrestling Entertainment is an integrated media and entertainment company principally engaged in the development, production, and marketing of television programming, pay-per-view programming, and live events, and the licensing and sale of branded consumer products featuring the highly successful World Wrestling entertainment brand. As the WWE brand continues to grow, a strategic decision has been made to place a greater emphasis on the expansion the WWE brand globally. This paper will present an overview of WWE from its beginnings as the WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation) to its recent decision to capitalize on the significant operating leverage of its business model through increase in its brand in markets throughout the world.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine both the overall and the sports specific gambling activity among athletes and non-athletes enrolled in a Southern, regional National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II university. The findings were contrasted to the results of a 2003 NCAA Sports Wagering study. The instrument utilized in this particular study was an adaptation of the survey used in the NCAA 2003 study. Gambling by athletes at NCAA member schools is a growing concern, and there are indicators that gambling by college athletes may be more prevalent today than described in the 2003 study as gambling activity among student-athletes, male and female, in Division II seems to have increased dramatically from 2003 to 2006.

Abstract

Gender may be a mediating factor for relationship effectiveness between athletes and coaches (Lirgg, Dibrezzo, & Smith, 1994; Medwechuk & Crossman, 1994). Ironically, with the increase in participation of female athletes and sports that has occurred since Title IX, there has been a decrease in the number of female coaches over the past 30 years (Felder & Wishnietsky, 1990; Freeman, 2001; Pastore, 1992). The purpose of this study was to explore twelve female athletes’ perceptions and experiences of being coached by women and men. Semi-structured interviews revealed four major themes: discipline and structure, personal relationships, passivity and aggressiveness, and coach preference. Specifically, eight of the participants stated a preference for male coaches, yet differences were found when comparing various coaching qualities. Results are discussed in regards to overall sport experiences.

Introduction

A great deal has been written in both academic and popular periodicals about the value of college athletic programs. While some argue that the net outcome of college athletic programs is favorable in terms of benefits to the institution, detractors often view these programs as financially debilitating to the welfare of the institution (Weeth, 1994). An issue of controversy for many institutions is the value of the benefits versus the cost associated with operating intercollegiate athletic programs (Lehnus and Miller, 1996). The dilemma for administrators is often more pressing at the small-college level because funding is usually limited and the programs themselves generally prove to be unprofitable (Helitzer, 1996). One of the more pressing problems for many small-college athletic programs is the lack of fan attendance, because attendance can influence support from alumni and the administration of the school. The present study examines what factors are key in explaining attendance at small-college sporting events.

Abstract

This research aims to determine the effects of a six weeks pre-season preparation training period on the physical and physiological characteristics of a football team in the Turkish Professional First Division League. Twenty football players participated in this study. Their ages were 22.2 ± 3.41 years old, and they had 12.4 ± 4.2 years of training. Their height was 178.9 ± 5.13 cm. (Table 1). The body weight, body fat percentage, flexibility, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, vertical jump, and speed of these players were tested twice; once at the beginning of the six-week pre-season preparation training period and again at the end of the training period (Table 2). Research data was evaluated statistically with pair-t test at a significance level of (p‹ 0.05). There were some significant changes in weight, body fat percent, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, and vertical jump. There were no any statistically significant changes in elasticity and speed.

Abstract

Purpose: This study describes the prevalence of physical activity programs at Danish workplaces with one-hundred or more employees

Design: Cross-sectional

Setting: Denmark

Subjects: All private and public workplaces of the designated size (n=2422).

Measures: A two-phase research model was used. Phase 1 consisted of telephone interviews involving all workplaces. Phase 2 was conducted using a structured, self-administered questionnaire which elicited more detailed descriptions of workplaces identified as promoting physical activity (n=449). Response rates were 92% and 69% in Phases 1 and 2 respectively.

Data Analysis: Data were analyzed using StatView statistical software.