Running Head: ARTICLE ANALYSIS 1

Article Analysis
Of
Sports and Community on Campus: Constructing a Sports Experience That Matters

Elizabeth Lerczak

SPA 520

Professor OLeary

Concordia University

November 5, 2015
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Abstract

This paper explores the findings of a study and article done by Stacy Warner and Marlene A.

Dixon on Sports and Community on Campus: Constructing a Sports Experience That Matters.

The article covers the basis of creating a Since of Community (SOC) through club sports. Warner

and Dixon (2013) pinpoint the four factors to building a SOC on a college campus and go into

detail about each of the four factors. These factors that will be covered are Common Interests,

Leadership Opportunities, Voluntary Activities, and Competition. This article explores each

factor in relation to the students experiences and reflections. It also shows a correlation between

gender and internal and external competition. Furthermore the differences and similarities

between club and varsity sports as they relate to the four key factors mentioned previously.

Warner and Dixon (2013) gathered many supporting texts that will be mentioned as well.

Keywords: Since of Community (SOC), Common Interests, Leadership Opportunities,

Voluntary Activities, Competition.

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Article Analysis
Of
Sports and Community on Campus: Constructing a Sports Experience That Matters

Various studies have been conducted on creating a strong Since of Community (SOC) on

college campuses. These social groups are important to maintaining a healthy quality of life

while in college. Warner and Dixon (2013) quote (McPherson, Smith-Lovin, and Brashers, 2006;

Putnam 200) by stating that individuals outside social groups experience alienations and

isolation, which can have detrimental repercussions on a students quality of life. Later

suggesting the key to a healthy community and the goal of the administration and student affairs

personnel is to create opportunities for students to join a social group creating a SOC, decreasing

their chances of burnout.

Foundations in Building a Since of Community

A SOC gives the perception of similarity, acknowledgement and willing to maintain

interdependence, and the feeling that one is part of a larger reliable and stable structure (Warner,

Dixon; 2013). The use of McMillan and Chaviss SOC theory, that states a SOC is biased on four

components; membership, influence, integration and fulfillment of needs, and emotional

connections (Warner, Dixon; 2013). Supporting these four components it is important to mention

when laying the foundations to building a SOC; the two main definitions associated with

community. The first is based on geographical settings and the second on common interests

(Warner, Dixon; 2013)

Sports have been a way to promote a SOC in higher education for over a century.

Creating a SOC for both the participants and spectators (Warner, Dixon; 2013). Early in the

history of sports in higher education they were student run clubs created as an extracurricular
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activity to promote healthiness and common interests. This took place in the 19th century and

lead to the addition of varsity athletics.

Warner and Dixons Study 2013

It would seem those who participate in clubs and organizations as a part of social groups

would automatically be defined as a SOC, but given the research by Warner and Dixon this is not

the case. They argued that more than just one common interest is required for a thriving SOC to

maintain itself. For their method they conducted interview of former students who participated in

club sports during their college years. The participants were made up of a body of 10 females

and 11 males who represented 17 universities and 11 sports. Those who participated were one to

five years out of college. Their accounts were taken with time for reflection on their experiences.

Recorded data from interviews was transcribed into grouped categories. The results showed the

four main factors in building a SOC.

The first of the four factors is Common Interest. The basis of the common interest in the

sport combined with team goals is what brought the teams together. One of the participates stated

We use to say, You dont have to like them, but you have to love them cause theyre your

teammates. This philosophy applies in many stages in life. In one interview conducted, the

participant reflected on her time as a residence advisor (RA).

One of the differences is that the RAs always acted like they wanted to be there,

and they were committed to what they were doing, and they enjoyed it. And, if you dont

have those three things, I dont think that its possible to kind of have that community-

type atmosphere. If theres always conflict, its really hard to build community. And thats

what its like for basketball. You cant build a community like that. You really do need

more than just an activity in common with them. Youre not going to build a since of
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community with people that dont share the same morals and values, as you do (Tennis

player, Warner, Dixon; 2013).

The second of four factors is Leadership Opportunity. For most of the participants their

club sport was a completely student run organization. The participants agreed having clearly

defined leadership roles helped to build a SOC. With every team member having a voice in the

decision making for the betterment of their team, and helped them develop responsibilities and a

since of ownership.

Its entirely student-run, its just a cool experience. I felt so more connected to our

team community as the president, because I hired the coach. I helped the coach, and I

helped drive our truck to the races. Little things like that really make you think, wow, this is

not just practices that you show up at, and I could, peace out, and quit at any time. Im an

integral part of the community. And for me to keep doing this, I needed to stay involved

with the community, and the community needs me. As well (rowing participant, Warner,

Dixon; 2013).

The third of four factors is Voluntary Activity. The idea of voluntary activity is where one

is not forced or pressured to be a part of the club or to show up to functions, but they continued

their membership because they wanted to be there and are personally invested (Warner, Dixon;

2013). With the absence of authority it was important for the participants to buy in to what was

being done by the team. Such as working out on their own and making time for practices and

games along with their school and social life.

Simply, showing up for practice with little or no external influence demonstrated a

strong commitment to the group as well as the participants love for the sport; it also played a

vital role in creating a SOC (Tennis player, Warner, Dixon; 2013).

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The fourth and final factor is Competition. In terms of competition there are two

terms to be explored. Internal and external competition is evident on any sports team. This

proved to have two different effects for men and womens sports. For men both internal and

external competition added to their SOC, while females felt the stressors of internal

competition detracted from their SOC.

Anytime you get competitive females together, and you split them up on

skill level, theres always gonna be griping. Its just the nature of people that tend to

be competitive. In my experience it detracted from the since of community. The

competitiveness drives people to play better and work harder, but without the

structure, which we lacked, the competitiveness just caused tension (female

basketball player, Warner, Dixon; 2013).

These four factors of competition, voluntary activity, leadership opportunity, and

common interests were all essential to the success of the club sports. Each played a vital role

for the participants building their own SOC. This study has also confirmed that a common

interest group alone cannot build a strong SOC, but when added with common goals, shared

values, and a strong commitment it is possible to overcome external obstacles.

Summary

This study took the foundations of building a SOC within club sports in higher

education. The survey taken from former club sport athletes showed that four main factors

needed to be present to create a SOC they are; competition, voluntary activity, leadership

opportunity, and common interests. These factors not only led to a SOC but provided the

participants with a since of ownership and something to take pride in both of which are

important to maintain a healthy college environment to lessen the chances of burnout,

isolation, depression, and social alienation.

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Conclusion

Reading this article made a lot of since to me because I was a college athlete and

could agree with the factors that create a SOC in college sports. Although this study looked at

the roll club sports play on college campus as apposed to the varsity athletics that I

participated in I can see how the competition, voluntary activity, leadership opportunity, and

common interests were different from my own experiences. I believe student personal leaders

should put more into club sports and organizations to get more students involved in social

groups to build a stronger campus SOC. A main idea taken from this study is that having a

since of pride and ownership in something boots wiliness to make things around better. So

intern building up the SOC in social groups will boost moral on college campuses.
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References

Warner, S, & Dixon, M. A. (2013) Sports and Community on Campus: Constructing a sports

experience that matters. Journal for College Student Development. 54(3) 283-298.