Value of campus recreation to WSU

NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation

Considering the Impact of Participation and Employment of Students in Campus Activities and Collegiate Recreation on the Development of the Skills Employers Desire Most


NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation
The Benefits of Campus Recreation

Scott A. Forrester, Ph.D.


Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership

Leadership in Intramural Sports & Club Sports
Examining Influences to Enhance Educational Impact

John P. Dugan, Mark A. Torrez, and Natasha T. Turman


RSJ Volume 36, Issue 1, April

Original Research, Robert R. Lindsey

The Benefits and Satisfaction of Participating in Campus Recreational Sports Facilities and Programs Among Male and Female African American Students: A Pilot Study

2012, 36, 13 24

The purpose of this study was to assess the benefits and satisfaction of participating in campus recreational sports facilities and programs among male and female African American students. A convenience sample of students from classes in the Department of Health and Human Performance at a small southeastern private historically black college and university was used in the study. The instrument consisted of a modified version of the National Intramural-Recreational Sport Association's Quality and Importance of Recreational Services Survey. Independent samples t test and analysis of variance were used to test for differences between gender and the benefit of participation questions (α = .05). It was determined that 80% benefitted with communication skills, 79% benefitted with a sense of belonging/association, and 76% benefitted with leadership skills. In terms of gender, 79% of the males benefitted from self-confidence, 90% benefitted with a feeling of physical well being, 78% benefitted with a sense of accomplishment, and 81% benefitted with respect for others. Eighty-five percent were satisfied with their overall academic experience and 73% with satisfied with their overall experiences with other student services programs and activities. Males scored higher than females when it came to reporting the following benefits from participating in recreational activities: feeling of physical well-being, sports skills, fitness, physical strength, stress reduction, and balance/coordination. Although limitations to the study exist, the results provide further evidence that students report that participating in campus recreational sports has an impact on their benefits and their satisfaction with their academic experience and their experiences with students' services programs and other activities. This is a finding that can only serve to increase the practitioner's understanding of those who use such facilities and programs. More studies are needed to further examine the benefits of campus recreational facilities and programs on African American students.


RSJ Volume 38, Issue 1, April

Original Research

Academic Success and Retention: The Role of Recreational Sports Fitness Facilities

2014, 38, 14 22

This study evaluated the role of a university recreational sports and fitness center, in students' academic success. Study participants included freshmen at a large Midwestern university (n = 4,843; 56% women; 67% white). Recreational sports fitness facility members (students who purchased a recreational sports fitness facilities membership in their first semester; n = 1,138) were compared with nonmembers (students who did not purchase a recreational sports fitness facility membership in their first semester; n = 3,705). M ± SD and percentages were calculated for all variables of interest. Differences between groups were analyzed using t tests and percentages. Members had significantly higher high school grade point averages (GPA) (p = .002). After four consecutive semesters, members had significantly higher cumulative college GPA (p â‰¤ .0001) and cumulative credits completed (p â‰¤ .0001). Significantly more members than nonmembers were enrolled in school after two completed years, 89% and 85%, respectively. Results show recreational sports fitness facility membership is associated with, and may be beneficial to, college students' academic success.

Keywords: student success, grade point average, fitness center membership

Authors: Samantha J. Danbert, James M. Pivarnik, Richard N. McNeil, Ira J. Washington


RSJ Volume 38, Issue 1, April

Original Research

Relationship of Intramural Participation to GPA and Retention in First-Time-in-College Students

2014, 38, 50 54

The purpose of this investigation is to examine the relationship of intramural participation with academic performance and retention rates in first time in college (FTIC) students. Intramural participation of all students was tracked during the fall 2010 and spring 2011 semesters. An intramural database of participants was cross-referenced with an institutional database to compare grade point average (GPA) and retention rates based on intramural participation. There was no significant difference in GPA between the intramural participation groups as determined by one-way ANOVA, F(2, 586) = 1.669, p = .189 (during the fall 2010 semester) or F(2, 557) = .102, p = .903 (during the spring 2011 semester). The retention rate was 5.9% higher in those FTIC students that participated in intramurals. The results support the consideration of intramural participation as a factor in increasing retention through providing opportunities for campus engagement without the fear of hindering academic performance.

Keywords: campus recreation, freshman, persistence

Authors: Michael McElveen, Alicia Rossow