Athletic involvement and influences on high school students: A qualitative case study

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore teacher perceptions of the influence of reductions in athletic activities/opportunities on student outcomes and engagement in school. Six teachers that met the study's criteria were anonymously selected to share their experiences teaching and interacting with students at a high school that experienced a reduction in extracurricular activities. Victor Vroom's Expectancy Theory was the framework that guided the research process for this study. The objective of this model was to represent the variables of motivation and to provide insight regarding the reasons why some high school students are driven to participate in high school athletics. Findings revealed that teachers perceived many students display a decrease in motivation when extracurricular activities were eliminated. Another finding was extracurricular activities provided opportunities for students to be involved in the school setting. Other findings include extracurricular activities provide opportunities for students to seek rewards, as well as to gain experiences that are not found in the classroom. Finally, the researcher provides implications for practice, policy, theory and recommendations for future research.