College athletics directors' attitudes toward spectator aggression. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rudd, Andy
• Is Part Of: Journal for the study of sports & athletes in education. Volume 13:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 11
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Spectator aggression -- sportsmanship -- ethics -- team identification -- ethical leadership; Athletes -- Education (Higher) -- Periodicals; College sports -- United States -- Periodicals; College athletes -- Education -- Periodicals; Sports -- Periodicals; 796.04305
• DOI: 10.1080/19357397.2019.1581548
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1935-7397

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In 2008, former President of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Myles Brand expressed serious concern about college sport spectator aggression. More specifically, Brand asserted that many sport administrators may be "looking the other way" when confronted by spectator aggression. As a result, the following study was conducted to assess university athletic directors' attitudes toward various form of spectator aggression using the Sport Spectator Attitude Scale (SSAS). Overall, results showed that athletic directors were unsupportive of spectator aggression. However, there were a couple of exceptions based on responses to items #2 and #7. These particular responses suggest that some, if not many athletic directors, may need to increase their understanding and valuing of sportsmanship and ethical behavior. Additional implications from the results are discussed.