Becoming a “Real University
In the midst of an economic crisis leading to extensive cuts in college athletics, at least 38 colleges in the past five years have either added or have plans to add football to their athletic programs. Of particular interest are schools that have traditionally been known as “commuter universities.”...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Kansas Libraries
2011-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Intercollegiate Sport |
| Online Access: | https://journals.ku.edu/jis/article/view/10141 |
| _version_ | 1797449013945958400 |
|---|---|
| author | Darren Kelly Marlene A. Dixon |
| author_facet | Darren Kelly Marlene A. Dixon |
| author_sort | Darren Kelly |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In the midst of an economic crisis leading to extensive cuts in college athletics, at least 38 colleges in the past five years have either added or have plans to add football to their athletic programs. Of particular interest are schools that have traditionally been known as “commuter universities.” In response to increased competition from other colleges, many of these schools are adding football as a part of a larger strategic vision for creating a “better college product.” Using resource-based (Barney, 1991) and institutional theories (DiMaggio & Powell, 1983), this study seeks to understand the strategic arguments used and the benefits sought by universities adding football on their campuses. This study employs qualitative content analysis methodology (Marshall & Rossman, 2006; Miles & Huberman, 1994) using publically available football feasibility studies from six NCAA Division I universities that have added (or have advertised plans to add) football over the past five years. Results indicate that football is seen as a vehicle for creating a sense of community and enhancing the institutional value of universities. Results also show that the dominant strategic rationale for adding these football programs is more consistent with institutional than resource-based theory. Implications of such strategy include an overemphasis on sport, and a corresponding lack of attention paid to other more innovative solutions to broader campus issues. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:18:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-76df00e7564b46748ab71ed4eda91465 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1941-6342 1941-417X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:18:46Z |
| publishDate | 2011-12-01 |
| publisher | University of Kansas Libraries |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Intercollegiate Sport |
| spelling | doaj.art-76df00e7564b46748ab71ed4eda914652023-11-28T18:42:32ZengUniversity of Kansas LibrariesJournal of Intercollegiate Sport1941-63421941-417X2011-12-014210.1123/jis.4.2.283Becoming a “Real UniversityDarren Kelly0Marlene A. Dixon1The University of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at AustinIn the midst of an economic crisis leading to extensive cuts in college athletics, at least 38 colleges in the past five years have either added or have plans to add football to their athletic programs. Of particular interest are schools that have traditionally been known as “commuter universities.” In response to increased competition from other colleges, many of these schools are adding football as a part of a larger strategic vision for creating a “better college product.” Using resource-based (Barney, 1991) and institutional theories (DiMaggio & Powell, 1983), this study seeks to understand the strategic arguments used and the benefits sought by universities adding football on their campuses. This study employs qualitative content analysis methodology (Marshall & Rossman, 2006; Miles & Huberman, 1994) using publically available football feasibility studies from six NCAA Division I universities that have added (or have advertised plans to add) football over the past five years. Results indicate that football is seen as a vehicle for creating a sense of community and enhancing the institutional value of universities. Results also show that the dominant strategic rationale for adding these football programs is more consistent with institutional than resource-based theory. Implications of such strategy include an overemphasis on sport, and a corresponding lack of attention paid to other more innovative solutions to broader campus issues.https://journals.ku.edu/jis/article/view/10141 |
| spellingShingle | Darren Kelly Marlene A. Dixon Becoming a “Real University Journal of Intercollegiate Sport |
| title | Becoming a “Real University |
| title_full | Becoming a “Real University |
| title_fullStr | Becoming a “Real University |
| title_full_unstemmed | Becoming a “Real University |
| title_short | Becoming a “Real University |
| title_sort | becoming a real university |
| url | https://journals.ku.edu/jis/article/view/10141 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT darrenkelly becomingarealuniversity AT marleneadixon becomingarealuniversity |