FACTORS INFLUENCING THE UNIVERSITY CHOICE OF NCAA DIVISION I SOFTBALL PLAYERS

Abstract

This investigation was designed to examine the choice factors softball players considered most important when selecting a college or university of NCAA Division I member institutions. A questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 196 students (freshmen through seniors) of 10 NCAA Division I member institutions in the state of Ohio. Descriptive statistics were followed in the analyses of the data. Factors that were most influential for softball players’ choice of a college or university were availability of a major or academic program, head coach, career opportunities after graduation, social atmosphere of the team, and the amount of financial aid. The least influential choice factors were friends, affiliation of the university (religion, public, private), media coverage, softball team Web site, softball team sponsorships, high school coach, and ethnic or gender ratio of the university. Recommendations for college softball coaches and all staff members involved in recruiting softball players of NCAA Division I are discussed in the article as well as recommendations for further research.