Jacquelyn Cuneen

Developing a Personal Philosophy of Sport

A moral crisis pervades sport in America in the new century (Coakley, 2001; Murphy, 1999; Quirk & Fort, 1999; Sperber, 1990, 1998). Sport is replete with individuals who have seemingly lost a sense of the value of human life, respect for others, and fair play. The media continually bombard the public with graphic examples of delinquent behavior by individuals participating in professional, collegiate, K-12, youth, and even recreational sports. The unethical behaviors of athletes, coaches, and sport leaders are not confined to playing fields and arenas, but pervade other aspects of sport, such as violations of rules governing drug use or recruiting. Athletes and others involved with sport have been suspended or fined for a variety of questionable and illegal actions and have even been found guilty of drug abuse, assault, and murder. Episodes of taunting by athletes, bench-clearing brawls, and unnecessary intimidation are now common during competition. Some athletes, coaches, and sport leaders defend such behaviors as necessary competitive strategies to secure monetary benefits, to gain recognition and rewards, and, especially, to win. These and other motives have contributed to a winning-at-all-costs approach to sports at all levels. Historically, many Americans have believed that sport teaches positive values such as teamwork, ethical conduct, and self-discipline. Yet, research suggests that this is a myth. Beller and Stoll (1992, 1995), Stoll, Beller, RealI, and Hahm (1994), Stoll, Beller, Cole, and Burwell (1995), Priest, Krause, and Beach (1999), and Lumpkin, Stoll, and Beller (1999) have reported that the longer an individual is engaged in

Gender implications in job application tendencies among undergraduate sport management majors

This study assessed gender differences in entry-level sport management jobs application. Announcements for 27 jobs fitting five academic specialization areas within sport were presented in random order to subjects (N= 210) who read each one and indicated the positions for which they would apply upon graduation. Results of a multivariate analysis of variance indicated no significant differences in proportions of “yes” responses relative to application within major specialization. Conclusions were that females and males do not apply for jobs disproportionately within their specialized major fields of study, refuting the popular notion that women do not apply for managerial positions with sport.