Kirsty Spence

An integral approach to sport management internships

Given the need for academia to develop students as knowledgeable professionals, experiential learning in the form of internships has become an important component of sport management curricula. Internships provide students opportunities to acquire an understanding of how theory is applied to practice as well as to experience personal growth and development. The purpose of this paper is to introduce how sport management programs can build upon current approaches to experiential learning by adopting the integral perspective of Ken Wilber (1995/2000a/2000b). It is suggested that an integral approach allows students to learn practical skills while correspondingly increasing the students understanding and interpretation of the subjective elements (e.g. relationships, interactions, emotions) that lead to personal growth during the internship experience. A review of Wilbers Integral Approach is included followed by a review of concepts from relevant experiential learning theories and an example of an interns experience to demonstrate the application of an integral approach to experiential learning and sport management internships The article concludes with a list of recommendations, representative of an integral approach, that can be used to enhance the internship experience for students.

Exploring the properties of community among charity sport event participants

The purpose of this research is to analyze the sense of community derived among charity sport event participants by exploring and applying the six structural and cultural properties of Gemeinschaft among participants: dense and demanding social ties; social attachments to and involvement in institutions; ritual occasions; small group size; perceptions of similarity with others; and common beliefs in an idea system, moral order, institution, or group. Specifically, an assessment of the structural and cultural properties of community was made allowing for an initial exploration of the extent to which this community can achieve desired social outcomes on behalf of a charitable organization. Semi-structured interviews (n = 46) were conducted with 2009 Lance Armstrong Foundation LIVESTRONG Challenge participants. Results reveal that five of the six properties of community were present among participants. While a sense of community was found to be present, challenges within this community are identified that may constrain the charity from achieving the desired social change. These concern consistency in participant involvement with the charity as well as similarities and common beliefs creating too much sameness within the community. Suggestions are made for charitable organizations to provide training and mentoring to event participants to facilitate consistent and effective advancement of the charitys mission. Specific actions are outlined to confront these challenges and assist the organization in advancing social change.

Management challenges in delivering an international sport and development program

Purpose – The primary purpose of this paper is to explore stakeholder perceptions of an international sport for development program so as to identify some of the management challenges within a strategic management framework. The secondary purpose is to provide recommendations for the focal organization’s leadership based on those stakeholder perceptions. Hence, participants in this study directly experienced the facilitation and implementation of the international sport for development program. Participant viewpoints are expressed in efforts to identify improvement opportunities in the delivery and operations of this sport for development program. Design/methodology/approach – In this qualitative research, a case study design was chosen to produce a detailed account of the Commonwealth Games Association of Canada’s (CGC) International Sport and Development (IDS) program. Interviews were conducted with 24 alumni of the IDS program, five CGC IDS administrators, and ten host IDS organization administrators f...

Assessing Vertical Development in Experiential Learning Curriculum

For 30 years, management educators have supported competency-based management education (CBME). When applying CBME, educators stimulate students’ lateral development, known as the acquisition of subject-specific knowledge and competencies that deepen their current perceptions and task performance. We contend CBME is necessary but not sufficient to develop future leaders in an increasingly complex world. Concurrently, educators must design curricula to stimulate students’ vertical development, described as “how we learn to see the world through new eyes, how we change our interpretations of experience and how we transform our views of reality.” This study examines the impact of an 8-month internship course on students’ lateral and vertical development. The findings support our contention that experiential learning (EL) curricula developed with both lateral and vertical development components are powerful aids in preparing students to address complex work-related challenges.

Applying Wilber's All Quadrant, All Level (AQAL) Integral approach to sport management internship curricula.

Wilbers (2000a?b; 2006) All Quadrant, All Level (AQAL) Integral approach provides an expansive theoretical platform from which instructors may develop innovative pedagogical and curricular elements within undergraduate sport management internship courses. Jowdy et al.s (2004) recommendations, reflective of the AQAL model, guided the curriculum for such a course for a class of approximately 60 (Canadian) sport management internship students. The purposes of this paper are to discuss the curricular elements and learning activities of this experientially and developmentally focused internship course and to share the processes by which these learning activities were applied. It is hoped that the use of the AQAL model will encourage a review of current pedagogical practices and student learning within sport management internship courses.

Sports Rescue: The South End Mustangs Professional Ice Hockey Team

Three years ago, Steve Thornton purchased the South End Mustangs, a professional ice hockey team competing in the D1 division in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, Thornton has experienced challenging times during his ownership tenure. The team has achieved mediocre results on the ice and poor results off the ice. Thornton knows he needs help to turn the Mustangs franchise around. Thus, as a result, he turns to John Tapner, a sport business owner, operator, entrepreneur, and advisor. Tapner is best known as a professional sport consultant and TV personality, representing his company Sports Rescue, which is the same name as his hit television show. When an owner calls Tapner, it is because a professional sports team is in trouble and needs to be rescued.