Minor Sport Research Articles

Floorball Injuries Presenting to a Swiss Adult Emergency Department: A Retrospective Study (2013-2019).

Background: The popularity of floorball has surged throughout Switzerland in the last 20 years. However, epidemiological studies are still scarce. Objective: To collect information on floorball-related injuries, their severity and approximate cost in adults who presented to our emergency department from 2013–2019. Moreover, to use this information to suggest possible strategies to prevent injuries. Materials and Methods: The study population includes all patients who suffered injuries related to floorball and were then seen at the University Hospital in Bern during a 7-year period. Bern University Hospital, Switzerland, has a comprehensive management system (Ecare) that was used to generate the data for this study. The data were then used to create an injury profile of all cases presented during the said period. Results: A total of 263 injures were recorded from 2013 to 2019. The most common locations for injuries were to the eyes (43.73%), followed by the lower extremities (25.48%). The mean cost per case was CHF 1191.43. However, the vast majority of admissions could be sent home (93.16%) and did not cost more than 500 CHF/case (57.41%). Of the 22 cases that cost more than CHF 2000, 10 were located around the torso and 6 affected one or both eyes. Significant differences were observed between the age groups and treatment area (p = 0.008), costs (p = 0.008), route of discharge (p = 0.023) and type of trauma (p = 0.020). Conclusion: Although floorball is still a relatively minor sport, its impact on sport-related injuries must not be underestimated. Injuries to the eyes are particularly common. In our opinion, our findings provide strong evidence that all floorball players (not only children and adolescents) should wear protective eyewear. We conclude that the Swiss Floorball Association (Swiss Unihockey) should mandate the use of protective eyewear.

Rural community well-being through minor league sport

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate how small-town residents’ perceptions of a minor league sport team’s socially responsible initiatives (SRI) influence several psychological responses to SRI, including feelings of gratitude, subjective well-being, place attachment and community pride.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional, survey-based research design was employed to empirically assess the effects of SRI on positive psychological responses in the context of a minor league sport team located in a rural community. The data set used in this study included a convenience sample of 307 small-town residents.FindingsResidents of the rural community did perceive and feel grateful for their minor league sport team’s SRI. Grateful residents experienced higher levels of subjective well-being (happiness, pleasure and satisfaction) as well as enhanced community pride and attachment due to the local sport team’s altruistic and prosocial behaviors.Research limitations/implicationsThis study’s findings shed light on a critical function and benefit of a minor league sport team in rural communities. Emotionally valued prosocial efforts enhance the well-being of residents in rural communities. Thus, a reasonable course of action for local community leaders and public-sector organizations is to invest in and create partnership opportunities with their local minor league sport teams. Such efforts can turn sport teams into leverageable assets that can help promote healthy and sustainable communities for current residents as well as future generations.Originality/valueA contribution of this study is the integration of the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions to better understand how gratitude mediates the relationship between SRI and beneficial community-focused outcomes such as pride, attachment and well-being.

Impact of Core and Peripheral Service Satisfaction on Team Identification and Revisit Intention: A Comparison of Minor and Major League Ice Hockey

By incorporating two different types of service satisfaction (core and peripheral service), this study developed and tested a conceptual model delineating the impact of consumers’ satisfaction on fans’ team identification and revisit intent and examined the differential patterns among the variables across different sport league levels. Data were collected from a total of 918 spectators of both major and minor league ice hockey events. This study showed that the impact of core and peripheral service-related satisfaction varies across the sport contexts. The results provided empirical evidence of the direct effect of core service-related satisfaction on team identification leading to revisit intent in both major and minor league sport contexts, while peripheral service-related satisfaction had a direct effect on team identification in only the major league sport context. Direct effect of peripheral service-related satisfaction on revisit intent was evident in the minor league sport context but not in the major league sport context.

Estimating the Economic Impacts of a Small-Scale Sport Tourism Event: The Case of the Italo-Swiss Mountain Trail CollonTrek

Evidence from several studies shows that small-scale sport events may have more positive repercussions for the host community than major ones in terms of both economic and social impacts. This study estimates the economic impacts on a small community derived from athletes’ expenditure at a specific small-scale sport tourism event, the Italo-Swiss mountain endurance trail CollonTrek. Even if this kind of event is considered a minor sport event, generating very limited economic activity, this study supports the hypothesis that the funds invested by the public administration are compensated for by revenue generated during the trail. In fact, according to the three analyzed scenarios (Conservative, Average and Liberal), for each euro invested by the public administration, an economic return between €17.62 and €18.92 has been estimated, and between €5.64 and €6.9 (32%–36.47%) represent the direct economic return for the local community. Furthermore, in addition to the direct economic benefits, in accordance with the feedback from a sample of participants at the event (n = 180), this kind of event has positive implications in terms of future tourism for the host valley, pointing out how this kind of tourist activities has positive repercussions in terms of economic and social sustainability.

Teaching Notes for Sponsorship Sales in Minor Sport: 2013 World Duathlon

Teaching Notes for Sponsorship Sales in Minor Sport: 2013 World Duathlon

Sponsorship Sales in Minor Sport: The Case of the 2013 International Triathlon Union World Duathlon Championships

This case focuses on the sponsorship sales aspect of the 2013 International Triathlon Union World Duathlon Championships in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The case outlines the process of acquiring the right to host the event and creating/implementing a sponsorship sales strategy for the event. The case provides background on the sport of duathlon and the city of Ottawa’s capacity to host an international sport event of this level. This case recognizes that securing sponsorship is a major challenge that many small sport organizations and sport events face. Strategies are presented to show how these sport organizations can actively promote their offerings to overcome this challenge. Intended for graduate and undergraduate students in sport management, event management, and marketing, information for this case was obtained from interviews with event staff, secondary research, and documentation provided by the event organizing committee. It will be necessary for students to use critical thinking to provide feedback to the organizing committee about how they can target and acquire sponsors for the 2013 International Triathlon Union World Duathlon Championships.

Unpacking competition: On the possibilities of a minor sport

In this article, I conceptualize defensive playing in table tennis by analyzing it from the viewpoint of affective philosophy (Deleuze and Guattari, 1986, 1987). The spatial and emotional aspects of the atmosphere of such play are investigated through an autoethnography of company table tennis. By using my ownbody as an “instrument of research” (Longhurst et al., 2008), I practically evoke and feed on the tension between modern competitive sport and “sport for all” (Eichberg, 2010). It is suggested that the defensive stance in table tennis might be seen as a trajectory toward a “minor sport” (Deleuze and Guattari, 1986, 1987), i.e. as a mild resistance to the competitive ethos of sport.

Much more than sports: sports events as stimuli for city re‐branding

PurposeCity branding has become a very popular activity all over the globe. In this paper the authors aim to show the importance of sports events in city re‐branding strategies, and how businesses take advantage of such opportunities to increase their incomes.Design/methodology/approachA new framework is presented that is based on four different alternatives for city re‐branding strategies based on sport events. These four re‐branding strategies are derived from two main dimensions: the locus of the sports event (local vs international) and the longevity of the sports event (one‐off vs continual).FindingsProspective hosts of mega or international sports events must ensure that people all over the world see their city as a leisure, tourism and consumption center and not just a sports arena. Conversely, when hosting medium or minor sports events, planners must aim for these sport events to increase residents' civic pride.Practical implicationsThis conceptual paper demonstrates how city planners and decision makers can leverage their city image and its business sector's potential to earn from this event directly and indirectly, based on the aforesaid four re‐branding strategies: Mega sports events, International sports events, Medium sport events, and Minor sport events.Originality/valueThis article deals with four types of sports event strategies at the same time, whereas other investigations tend to deal with only a single type.

‘What about the community impact?’: The Corpus Christi ‘hook’

This case study draws on theory in the following areas (1) public financing of sport facilities and in particular, the method of bonds and the impact on and involvement of local taxpayers, (2) community impact of minor league sport teams, and (3) leveraging of sport teams and facilities. This case is centered on Justin Drew, the president of the Corpus Christi Hooks, who must work with city officials to ensure that his minor league baseball team does not lose local support. The city of Corpus Christi helped finance the Hooks’ stadium a few years prior, and now with new members on City Council, tough economic times, and a history of folded professional sports teams in the city, Drew must be proactive in seeing that the Hooks do not meet a similar fate.The case presents a common challenge confronted by communities that host professional sport teams. In many cases, cities must provide some level of public financing for sport facilities in order to attract or retain a team. To gain public support, various promises are made about the potential for the team to transform the community. However, once public funding is secured and a team and facility is in place, it is unclear who has the responsibility for delivering on these promises. The situation presented in this case is not unique. In fact, similar claims are made about the impact of a sports team, regardless of the size of the host community or the type of team. This case gives students the opportunity to measure impact and also think critically about how to leverage a sports team to create value for the community. Although the characters in the case are fictitious the case draws upon actual facts and data from public records regarding Corpus Christi and their minor league baseball team, the Hooks; thus, providing students with a realistic dilemma to consider. The case is intended for use in Sport Finance/Economics and Sport Policy courses, but could also be adapted for other courses such as Sport Marketing, Sport Communication, Facilities and Event Management or even Research Methods.

“A Blond, Broad-shouldered Athlete with Bright Grey-blue Eyes”: German Propaganda and Gotthardt Handrick’s Victory in Modern Pentathlon at the Nazis’ Olympics in 1936

Abstract Modern pentathlon requires mainly military skills and historically attracted the attention of officers only. Appropriately, the country that provided the best modern pentathletes simultaneously demonstrated its military strength. Gotthardt Handrick who interrupted a long-lasting Swedish hegemony over the modern pentathlon developed into Germany’s national pride. Surprisingly, his victory in the 1936 Olympics modern pentathlon competition is relatively unknown and under-investigated. This paper investigates how Handrick’s performance at the 1936 games was presented in Germany in various press documents and thereby gives insights into the Nazis’ instrumentalization of the sport. By analyzing different articles in German newspapers and journals it is aimed to detect the propaganda that possibly contributed to the construction of Handrick’s heroic image in an up-tothat-date minor sport. It is argued that the often criticized military links of modern pentathlon never turned out to be so true than in the pre-war atmosphere of the 1936 Olympics.

Still Going After All These Years: Text, Truth and the Racing Calendar

The Racing Calendar, the 'bible' of the British turf, is one of the longest continuous series of sporting records in the world. Yet it is unlikely to receive the widespread recognition it deserves as a sporting text because it reflects a relatively minor sport in twenty-first century terms. This article will briefly outline its history, analyse its contents and attempt to evaluate its worth to historians of sport. Its reliability as a source will be scrutinised in the light of current debate, and the information it can supply with regard to gender and racing abroad will be assessed.

A comparison of motivational factors affecting attendance between avid and casual fans at minor hockey games

In North America, hockey is a popular minor league sport. Minor league hockey brings in an estimated 35 million fans annually, just three to four million less than affiliated minor league baseball (McKeon, 2004; Ross, 2004). In this study, to assess minor league hockey attendance motives overall, and to examine if casual and avid fans have different motives, the literature on sport spectator motivation was utilised to select the following motivational variables: team success, game quality, star players, fan relations, price affordability, game day presentation and community involvement. The results of this study empirically support the results of previous studies that marketing managers in minor league hockey should strive for high quality games, present a variety of game-amenity activities, keep prices low and maintain an active community involvement.

Just for fun: the story of AAU women's basketball

Prior to the 1972 passage of Title IX, women's basketball was a minor sport in the United States. It was played by companies such as Cook's Goldblume Beer and Sunoco and for obscure colleges such as Iowa Wesleyan and Wayland Baptist as part of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). But during the two generations of the mid-twentieth century, women's basketball improved and became more popular throughout the country. AAU All-Star teams dominated women's international basketball until the emergence of subsidized national teams in the 1960s. The women who played on these AAU teams helped to lay the foundation for women's athletics today. Most of the teams came from central and southern states, and most of the players had rural origins. Country girls from Arkansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas competed at an elite level unknown to their city sisters. The AAU formed several successful international teams of gifted players that gained fame abroad but that were anonymous at home. Until nearly the last quarter of the century, skilled women basketball players had only one option after high school: the AAU. This is the history of these gifted women, their coaches, and their teams--their records, motivations, and personal stories. Extensively illustrated, Just for Fun is the first book to thoroughly explore the complex history of the Amateur Athletic Union's women's basketball program and to bring to light the four decades of women's basketball all but forgotten in the current success of women's athletics.

Title IX: Forced to Wrestle up the Backside

Many doors of opportunity in educational endeavors opened for women following passage of Title IX (1). In 1971, year before enactment of law, women earned only one percent of dental degrees, nine percent of medical degrees and seven percent of law degrees. By 2000 number of women completing these professional programs grew to 40 percent of dental degrees, 43 percent of medical degrees, 46 percent of law degrees. Moreover, 44 percent of doctoral degrees went to women in year 2000, up from 14 percent in 1971 (Digest of Education Statistics, 2001). (2) Yet these impressive educational gains for women have not been focus of public attention regarding Title IX. Rather, impact of Title IX on scholastic athletics has dominated public discourse since passage of law. More specifically, women's success in education has met with a conservative backlash (3) focusing on Title IX and division of resources within collegiate athletics. Whereas Title IX became law thirty years ago, issue of Title IX compliance in athletics remains as hotly contested today as it was in 1972. Most recently, debate has been framed as an either/or division of resources between men's 'minor' (4) sports and women's athletics with Title IX as crux of argument. According to those who view Title IX as a threat to men's minor sports, rise in participation numbers in women's sport not only correlates to a decrease in men's 'minor' sport participation numbers, but is also cause of that decrease. In response, women's sport advocates argue that relationship between men's minor sport and women's sport is a spurious one with confounding factor being development of a big business sport model within collegiate programs. This model is reflected in escalating costs of men's football and basketball along with an 'arms' race for bigger and more elaborate facilities. skewed spending within athletic departments has not only contributed to decreases in opportunities in men's minor sport, but is also reason that women continue to receive less than their full share of athletic pie. In relation to wrestling, issue of Title IX has become more complicated in last decade, as women's grappling participation has grown. focus of this paper is a critical analysis of publicly mediated debates over issues surrounding Title IX and athletics with an attempt to understand cultural climate and far-reaching consequences for women. In this analysis, I examine public discourse surrounding Title IX and wrestling from 1972 through 2002. Sources include daily newspapers, Sports Illustrated, wrestling periodicals, and Chronicle of Higher Education. Using a critical cultural studies approach, I read media representations with an eye to deconstructing underlying intersecting lines of power relationships within broader social context. These mediated debates carry significance far beyond determining allocations of resources between men and women within athletic departments. Ultimately results and tone of debate have potential to bring changes to law that will carry far-reaching effects for gender relations starting with education and extending into professional realms women have accessed through increased opportunities in education. While mediated debates over Title IX may not dictate what people think, they do have power to determine what they think about. To put it simply: mass media have become core systems for distribution of ideology (Gitlin, 1980, p. 2). processed image, Title IX in this case, becomes the thing for a public that has few alternative sources of information, or none at all, for a perspective outside mainstream media. The media--at least in liberal capitalist society--take account of certain popular currents and pressures, symbolically incorporating them, repackaging and distributing them throughout society (Gitlin, 1980, p. …

Title IX in the Aftermath of President George W. Bush’s Commission on Opportunities in Athletics

The year 2002 marked thirtieth anniversary of passage of by United States. For those familiar with history of resistance to application of to athletic programs in schools receiving federal financial assistance, it was also year in which United States Department of Education, upon urging of President George W. Bush, appointed Commission on Opportunities in Athletics. According to its stated purpose, Commission was charged to collect information, analyze issues, and obtain broad public input directed at improving application of current Federal standard for measuring equal opportunity for men and women and and girls to participate in athletics under IX (Commission Charter, 2002). In point of fact, creation of Commission was a response to allegations made by several men's minor sport constituencies, like National Wrestling Coaches Association, that was being enforced as an illegal quota system and was being used by education administrators to eliminate men's varsity sports programs. The impetus for Commission derived from a lawsuit filed by National Wrestling Coaches Association and other men's minor sport organizations against Department of Education, in which plaintiffs sought to vacate existing standards of compliance. At an objective level, approach taken by Bush Administration and Department of Education regarding in its 30th year defies logic. While acknowledging that vast majority of educational institutions had not yet complied with mandates of after three decades, and girls and women in United States were still being denied access to equitable educational opportunity in schools, argument government officials embraced as most compelling and warranting most attention were false allegations that and men had somehow become victims of enforcement. At a fundamental level, as it applies to athletics, seems to trigger most central of our concerns as a nation about proper behavior of men and women and their roles in society. Just as author, Mariah Burton Nelson has pointed out that the stronger women get, more men love football, so too has it been case that stronger women get in sport, more resistance there has been to enforcement of IX. This special section of Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal devoted to in aftermath of Commission's hearings is intended to do several things. First, as shown in Theresa Walton's contribution entitled Title IX: Forced to Wrestle Up The Backside, Commission's validation of argument that enforcement of was harming men's sports prevented a considered understanding of campaign of misinformation that led many Americans to reach this erroneous conclusion. Walton situates claims made by some members of wrestling community within broader war on boys advanced in opposition to perceived affirmative action programs by political conservatives. …

Food Habits of Channel Catfish in Lake Oahe, South Dakota

ABSTRACT The channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus is abundant in Lake Oahe, South Dakota, providing a minor sport fishery. Because of it's population size, channel catfish undoubtedly influence the trophic ecology of Oahe Reservoir. However, little research has been conducted on channel catfish since the years following dam closure. We studied the food habits of channel catfish in Lake Oahe during 1991 and 1992. Food habits were evaluated using the relative importance (RI) index. Channel catfish fed on a variety of prey, but aquatic insects dominated the diet for all sizes of fish sampled. Terrestrial insects, zooplankton, and vertebrates (toads and fish) largely comprised the remainder of the diet.

On the Role of Hermeneutics in Sport Pedagogy: A Reply to Crum

The role of hermeneutics in sport pedagogy research, as described by Crum (1986), is criticized. Crum's notion of hermeneutics as clarification is said to be an insufficient strategy for the purpose of advancing the science of sport pedagogy. Rather, hermeneutics as criticism is called for. An example is presented, drawn from Crum's article, of the inadequacy of hermeneutics as clarification, followed by an alternative argument based on a more critical approach. Finally, speculation regarding the basis of the neglect of hermeneutics is presented in an attempt to spark further debate. Bart Crum, by virtue of his article entitled Concerning the Quality of the Development of Knowledge in Sport Pedagogy (1986), has entered an arena where the spectators are few and the teams ill defined. Nevertheless, he is undaunted by the prospect of his game, Hermeneutics, remaining a minor sport. In fact, he challenges us North Americans to enter the stadium and observe this strange intellectual contest that has its roots in the ivy covered halls of Northern Europe. And, if the game suits our fancy, there is an implicit invitation to dress out and choose sides. May the best person win. At the risk of appearing amateurish in this, my rookie season, I will take up the gauntlet and charge into the arena. In this response to Crum's signal for the game to begin, I intend to challenge the role he proposes for hermeneutics. Recognizing that my status as a novice establishes me as a decided underdog, however, I realize that the typical strategies will not succeed. I have therefore decided to attack from a direction that he least expects. I will resort to trick plays, to razzle-dazzle; and I will argue not that hermeneutics is an insignificant contest, but that Crum doesn't go far enough in calling us to the playing field. First, however, my strategy will seek to lull the opponent into overconfidence by congratulating Dr. Crum on a well-conceptualized article, timely in its appearance in a journal (and in a culture) that has rather systematically ignored the issues of which he writes. His analysis of the interrelationships between the hermeneutic, descriptive-explanatory , and constructive research tasks are certainly correct. And his perceptions of the way in which the North American and