Academic, Athletic, and Social Influences of a Winter Tutorial on Elite Athletes

Graduation Date

Spring 2000

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Document Form

Print

Degree Name

Master of Science

Program Name

Education

Program Director

Grace Grant, EdD

Abstract

Student athletes, competitive alpine skiers, left their traditional middle and high schools to participate in a five-month winter tutorial for the purpose of combining intense ski training and coaching with academics in an emerging Academy. Student athletes must give equal weight to both academics and athletics to be successful in later life. The three variables examined in the study were: grades, race results, and social adjustment. The results showed that all students maintained or improved their grades. Race Results did not improve for all of the student athletes, but 4 of the 9 racers achieved standings in the top 15 in their age group in all races. The social adjustment for the student athletes was both positive and negative. The need for a highly academic sports centered Academy exists in all areas of sports, not only alpine skiing. The Academy model presented here could be reproduced for all sports where the need for intense training and coaching increases as the athletes get older.

Only available in print

Scan Your Thesis

Share

COinS