The Effects of a Sportsmanship Education Program on the Behavior of College Intramural Sports Participants

Abstract

The study's purpose was to examine the potential impact of a sportsmanship education program on behaviors of students who participated in collegiate intramural sports. In an effort to decrease unsportsmanlike incidents and as a mandatory component for participation in the university's intramural sports program, all intramural athletes were required to complete a sportsmanship education program. Data were collected from intramural sports program incident reports over two academic years. Descriptive statistics indicated the total number of unsportsmanlike behaviors decreased over the two academic periods. However, an independent t test revealed no significant differences existed in the perceived severity of unsportsmanlike incidents during this time. Although the study yielded non-significant findings, further research should continue in the area of sportsmanship among collegiate intramural programs. Specifically, research design should be prioritized in an effort to gather more revealing data. Ultimately, such information can be used to implement systems that focus on curbing unsportsmanlike behaviors.