LESSONS LEARNED FROM ATHLETICS: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF INDUSTRY LEADERS FOCUSING ON THE ROLE INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS PLAYED IN THEIR LIVES Brett J. Botta A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science (Sport Administration). Chapel Hill 2015 Approved by: Erianne Weight Coyte Cooper Todd Turner © 2015 Brett J. Botta ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii ABSTRACT Brett J. Botta: Lessons Learned from Athletics: A Qualitative Analysis of Industry Leaders Focusing on the Role Intercollegiate Athletics Played in Their Lives (Under the direction of Erianne Weight) The purpose of this study aims to explore the intersection of athletics and academics with the overall education, personal growth, and professional futures of student-athletes. The study pursues this purpose through three research questions which are answered using case study methodology of five high-profile participants. The subjects were Lynn Elsenhans, Mary Schapiro, Vaughn Bryson, Beth Brooke-Marciniak, and Andy Hill. Each participant played intercollegiate athletics and went on to be a CEO or President of highly touted organizations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and the qualitative data was coded for emergent themes. The findings revealed a number of key themes about what was learned from intercollegiate athletics and how these lessons were useful in their careers. This study not only serves as a valuable addition to previous literature about the educational value of intercollegiate athletics but also provides unique and in-depth stories of how skills are learned and applied in the workplace. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ vii CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 Statement of Purpose ................................................................................................................... 2 Research Questions ..................................................................................................................... 3 Definition of Terms ..................................................................................................................... 3 Assumptions ................................................................................................................................ 4 Limitations .................................................................................................................................. 4 Delimitations ............................................................................................................................... 4 Significance of Study .................................................................................................................. 5 CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ................................................................................. 6 Learning Theories ....................................................................................................................... 6 Effective Educational Practices ................................................................................................. 10 Educational Benefits and Criticisms of College Sport .............................................................. 11 College Sport as Education ....................................................................................................... 16 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 19 CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY .............................................................................................. 20 Qualitative Methods .................................................................................................................. 20 Participants/Inclusion Criteria ................................................................................................... 21 Data Collection .......................................................................................................................... 21 Participant Selection .............................................................................................................. 21 Establishing Contact .............................................................................................................. 22 iv In-Depth Individual Interviews ............................................................................................. 22 Secondary Sources ................................................................................................................. 24 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................ 24 CHAPTER IV: FINDINGS .......................................................................................................... 26 Participant Background Information ......................................................................................... 26 Lynn Elsenhans...................................................................................................................... 28 Mary Schapiro ....................................................................................................................... 29 Vaughn Bryson ...................................................................................................................... 30 Beth Brooke-Marciniak ......................................................................................................... 31 Andy Hill ............................................................................................................................... 31 Emergent Themes ...................................................................................................................... 33 How to Lead .......................................................................................................................... 33 Teamwork .............................................................................................................................. 34 Commitment to Goals ............................................................................................................ 35 Time Management & Priorities ............................................................................................. 36 The Discipline and Humility it Takes to Win........................................................................ 36 Resiliency and Overcoming Failure ...................................................................................... 37 Preparation ............................................................................................................................. 38 Confidence ............................................................................................................................. 38 Other Important Lessons Learned ............................................................................................. 39 Elsenhans ............................................................................................................................... 39 Schapiro ................................................................................................................................. 40 Bryson .................................................................................................................................... 40 Brooke-Marciniak .................................................................................................................. 41 Andy Hill ............................................................................................................................... 41 v CHAPTER V: DISCUSSION ....................................................................................................... 43 Gender ....................................................................................................................................... 43 Emergent Themes ...................................................................................................................... 45 How to Lead .......................................................................................................................... 45 Teamwork .............................................................................................................................. 46 Time Management & Priorities ............................................................................................. 47 Resiliency & Overcoming Failure ......................................................................................... 48 Preparation ............................................................................................................................. 49 Confidence ............................................................................................................................. 50 Competition ........................................................................................................................... 51 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 52 Limitations ............................................................................................................................