Student-Athlete School Selection: A Family Systems Theory Approach

Abstract

The primary focus of this study was to examine the role family members play in the college selection process for NCAA Division III student-athletes. The role of family members in the college selection process has been studied for nonathletes, NCAA Division I athletes, NCAA Division II athletes, and at a cross-divisional level for specific NCAA sports. In such research related to intercollegiate student-athletes, research has primarily been conducted quantitatively with the use of survey techniques. Little research exists specifically exploring the role of family members in the college selection process for NCAA Division III athletes. Based on the lack of research, the overarching Division III philosophy, the pure participation rates of NCAA Division III athletes (more than 180,000 current Division III athletes), and the ideal fit of Family Systems Theory to this selection process, this research study is fitting. In this project, sixty-nine student-athletes participated in semistructured interviews at eleven different NCAA Division III institutions. Five prompts directly related to potential family influence were asked. Data were analyzed using open coding based on a priori and emergent themes. Responses are collectively summarized and representative responses are presented verbatim. Results are also discussed through the framework of Family Systems Theory and related back to previous literature on the role of the family in the college selection process.