The National College Athlete Association (NCAA) reports ever-increasing numbers of students participating in collegiate sports. As the demand for and intensity of collegiate sports continue to grow, there is a need to understand the sport enviornment and assist in the development of environments conducive to the well-being of student-athletes. This study used the vocational and industrial-organizational theory of person-environment fit to concptualize the collegiate sport environment as it shares numerous characteristics with a work environment. This study examined the relationships between the perceived cohesion student-athletes experience with their coaches and teammates and their motivation to perform. The impact of three moderators (athletic identity, sex, and sport type) on the cohesion - motivation relationship was also examined. Using data collected from 219 male and female collegiate student-athletes, hierarchical multiple regressions tested the effects of the perceived coach-athlete relationship and team-athlete relationship on predicting athletes' motivation to perform as well as the moderating effects of athletic identity, sex, and sport type. The athletes' perceived coach-athlete cohesion, team-athlete cohesion, and athletic identity (i.e., the degree to which an individual identifies with the athlete role) predicted the intrinsic and self-determined motivation levels of student-athletes. Athletic identity moderated the relationship between perceived team-athlete cohesion and motivation; sport type moderated the relationship between perceived coach-athlete cohesion and motivation. For student-athletes who reported a low athletic identity, perceived cohesion with their team was more predictive of their motivation levels than it was for those who had higher athletic identity. The degree to which they perceived cohesion with coach was more strongly predictive of self-determined motivation levels for student-athletes of individual sports compared to student-athletes involved in team sports. Clinical implications of the findings and future research are discussed.

Coaching is a central feature of sport at all levels. This groundbreaking new text is the first to offer a comprehensive introduction to the conceptual issues that underpin sports coaching practice, and to provide a complete conceptual framework for understanding sports coaching. The analysis presented within the book is practice-orientated, exploring the language of the coaching process in order to define the role of the coach, and to better understand the relationship between the coach and the sports performer. Sports Coaching Concepts introduces the key issues behind every stage of the coaching process, presenting important new material on topics such as: * the historical and international context of the development of sports coaching * the role of the coach * participation and performance coaching modes * modelling the coaching process * coaching 'style' and 'philosophy' * decision-making and regulating the process * social factors influencing practice * the future of coach education and professionalisation. The book draws together the existing sports coaching literature for the first time, setting it against important new conceptual developments, and promises to have a profound influence on the nature of our coach education programmes. This book therefore represents essential reading for any student of sports coaching and any serious coach wishing to develop and extend their own coaching practice.

The current study explores the factors that drive Division I collegiate athletes to be competitive. Student-athletes from James Madison University, both at the club and varsity levels were surveyed in this study. There were 129 total student athletes that participated (67 males and 62 females). Exactly 89 participants were varsity athletes and 40 were club athletes. Athletes were presented with an in-person survey that included several demographic questions followed by the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ). The TEOSQ scored athletes on their task and ego orientation during sport participation. The quantitative results of this study do not show a significant correlation between task and ego orientations between male and female athletes at both the varsity and club levels. Independent samples t-tests were run to determine statistical differences between males and females on the task and ego subscales of the TEOSQ. One-way ANOVAs were used to determine if there were any significant differences among task and ego orientation among the three club teams as well as between the varsity teams. There were no significant differences seen except for a p value of .010 between varsity men's baseball and varsity women's golf. Keywords: task orientation, ego orientation, achievement motivation, goal theory, motivation, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, amotivation, and coach-athlete relationship

Fuel yourself and others with positive energy—inspirational quotes and encouraging messages to live by from bestselling author, Jon Gordon. Ever since he wrote the mega bestseller The Energy Bus, Jon Gordon has been sharing inspirational messages and encouragement via his talks, books, and social media posts. After many requests to create a collection of his quotes, Jon teamed up with his long-time friend, Daniel Decker, to create Stay Positive. Stay Positive is more than a book of positive quotes. This book is a resource you can turn to each day for encouragement to help you take on your daily challenges, pursue your goals and dreams, and create positive momentum in your life. The power of positive thoughts is not about being Pollyanna Positive; it’s the real stuff that makes a proven difference in your perspective and life. After all, we don’t give up because it’s hard; we give up because we get discouraged. By fueling yourself with encouragement and positive energy, you’ll have greater power to overcome negativity, neutralize the naysayers, and conquer adversity. Stay Positive is more than a phrase. It’s an approach to life that says when you get knocked down, you'll get back up and find a way forward one faithful step and optimistic day at a time. Start your day with a message from the book, or pick it up anytime you need a mental boost. You can start from the beginning, or open the book to any page and find a message that speaks to you. However you decide to use Stay Positive, it’s a go-to resource for anyone wanting to inject a healthy dose of positivity into their life.

This study was designed to determine whether there is a relationship between specific coaching leadership styles and athlete intrinsic motivation within Division III college baseball and softball players. In addition, the study also aimed to see what male and female student-athletes prefer in their coaching leadership behaviors. The study consisted of 21 (N=21) people, 19 student-athletes between 18-21 and two coaches. The Leadership Scale for Sport (LSS) and Sport Motivation Scale-II (SMS-II) were both utilized in order to determine the relationships. Results showed there is no significant relationship between leadership styles of coaches and athlete intrinsic motivation. In addition, results show that male student-athletes prefer training & instruction and female student-athletes prefer positive feedback in their coaches’ leadership behaviors. Future studies could look into the relationship of leadership styles and athlete intrinsic motivation in DI and DII athletes. A larger sample size of both coaches and many different team sports are two areas to be also further examined.

This dissertation is comprised of three main sections. The first chapter is a historical overview of the coach-athlete relationships literature within sport. The review was conducted to consider as much empirical evidence as possible concerning coach-athlete relationships. This chapter examines and provides a comprehensive overview of past and current literature examining the coach-athlete relationship. Historical origins, contemporary models, other influences on the relationship, and coach-athlete interactive behaviours were examined.The second chapter is a qualitative study, guided by a phenomenological method of research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and recorded with 10 of the most successful team sport coaches within Canadian Inter-university Sport (CIS) from 2002-2012. Following in depth coach interviews, interpretive research and bracketing and themes were used to identify key components from the interviews. A final thematic structure disclosing five major dimensions contributed to common factors the role relationships play in coach-athlete success, identified as: recruitment, communication, caring, culture, and trust. Findings resulted in the creation of a tool that assists in visualizing the reciprocal relationships between revealed dimensions and themes within a coach-athlete relationship (R-CART; Reciprocating Coach-Athlete Relationship Tool).Finally a qualitative longitudinal case study was conducted examine the evolution of the CAR over a season and to assess the impact of a visual tool to help guide coaches in enhancing the CAR. Two post-secondary teams and head coaches were chosen, one female and one male. The process of the study included an initial modification process of the R-CART, initiating the R-CART through a multiple qualitative case study, data analysis of case studies and further amendment of the R-CART. Team athletes were provided with an 11-item Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q) and additional comments to evaluate the coach-athlete relationship. Results from the CART-Q were considered and cross-referenced with the R-CART, coach interviews and interventions ensued based on the student-athlete feedback. The findings suggested subtle amendments to the model and the R-CART potentially is a trustworthy tool for coaches developing, maintaining, and repairing the coach-athlete relationship. Collectively, this dissertation has expanded the current knowledge of coach-athlete relationships, providing coaches with a prospective tool for advancement in the area of coach-athlete relationships. Future research should aim to examine the role coach-athlete relationships in different context, such as grassroots sport, and look at the potential impact of the R-CART in those areas.

Social Psychology in Sport, Second Edition, offers global perspectives and a broad base of knowledge in areas that shape the social environment of sport. The text guides readers through the interactions, relationships, influences, and perceptions that affect sport performance and the lived experience of sport participation. Athlete relationships with coaches, parents, and peers are examined in depth. Editors Louise Davis, Richard Keegan, and Sophia Jowett offer their expert knowledge and diverse perspectives regarding social relationships in competitive sport at every level. Through the contributions of an international group of established scholars, Social Psychology in Sport, Second Edition, explains how the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of sport performers are influenced by the presence of others. The second edition offers a broad range of topics, with theoretical, empirical, and applied perspectives of social psychology. Trending topics such as the maltreatment of athletes, parental involvement, and safe sport cultures are addressed. The text also covers established areas of interest such as group dynamics and coach–athlete relationships. Each chapter follows a progression, starting with theory and then moving to current research, future research directions, and suggested practical applications. This chapter structure helps readers to build a foundation of understanding before moving on to application benefits. Chapter objectives and discussion questions are provided to aid in knowledge retention. Social Psychology in Sport, Second Edition, explores the growing field of social psychology in sport settings, offering a broad base of knowledge alongside practical application and areas for further research. This text is a comprehensive resource for students and researchers interested in the psychosocial aspects of sport.