Book Description

Using a quantitative approach, the researcher investigated the attitudes of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III (D3) men’s (n = 69) and women’s (n = 53) sports student-athletes (SAs). This study aimed to examine the current attitudes of male, female, and non-binary NCAA D3 SAs towards male, female, and non-binary strength and conditioning coaches (SCCs). Attitudes were assessed for 121 participants via a 12- question modified Attitudes of Athletes Toward Male versus Female Coaches Questionnaire (AAMFC-Q; Magnusen & Rhea, 2009) consisting of Likert-scaled questions ranking feelings towards a described, gendered SCC. The researcher determined there to be no significant interactions between gendered sport and condition, suggesting that previously noted SCC gender preferences no longer prevail in D3 athletics. However, via main effects significant differences between gendered sport was noted when participants were prompted with considering how they would feel about the hypothetical coach’s ability to motivate and encourage them. Additionally, significant differences between conditions were noted in items examining the participants’ ability to take punishment from the hypothetical coach and, when directly asked if they preferred the gender of the described coach. The findings of the present study are pertinent to practitioners and administrators working with SCCs and SAs of varying gender identities. Professionals involved in the strength and conditioning training of D3 student-athletes can use the results of the current study to inform hiring decisions, when educating staff and athletes, and to better understand the athletes' feelings towards SCCs. Additionally, involved personnel should consider this evidence of the prevailing existence of hegemonic masculinity in athletics and evaluate how they may work to dissuade the continuance of such.