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This monograph focuses on the virtually ignored issues of the academic problems of high school athletes. All the problems of college sport exist at the high school level. For example, "redshirting" occurs when a school has an athlete sit out a year so that the athlete can mature physically and have four years of eligiblity. This problem exists in the secondary grades as well as in colleges. The ramifications of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Proposition 48 are discussed as they have an impact on students at both high school and college level. The legal aspects of "No Pass No Play" policies in Texas and other areas are discussed. Recommendations are made for higher academic requirements for talented student athletes. Current state academic requirements for athletes are listed and references are included. (JD)

This report describes the comprehensive sports counseling program, based on Glasser's reality theory, which was designed and used with the men's basketball team at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The program described took a multisensory approach in order to use visual, auditory, and kinesthetic modalities; and employed techniques such as therapeutic metaphor, parables, games, humor, drawings, charts, photographs, poems, quotations, relaxation and concentration methods, imagery, lecture and discussion sessions, audiotapes, positive reinforcement, and praise. This paper presents the major components and activities of the sports counseling program. It discusses preseason meetings and meetings held before each game, and describes how the topics of team leadership, positive motivation, relaxation training, imagery, foul shooting, goal setting, and concentration were incorporated into the meetings. Excerpts from imagery scripts used in relaxation and imagery training are included. (NB)

This research report on the academic achievements of student-athletes at the college level opens with an historical overview that provides background information on competitive sports and games. The question of amateurism and professionalism is discussed, and a synopsis is presented of the two major revenue-producing college sports, football and basketball. The evolution of the academic image of the college student-athlete is reflected in the increasing emphasis upon the money-making potential of these sports for institutions of higher education. A sample is offered of the popular literature regarding these sports. This includes written works that may have no scientific foundations or underpinning and are often highly opinionated (e.g., newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, brochures). A review of professional literature contains research studies and dissertations that are relevant to the study of the academic achievements of student-athletes. A brief analysis of the commercialization of college football discusses how this contributes, directly or indirectly, to the health of the larger social system. Over 200 references are included. (JD)

This study investigated the personality traits and leadership styles of selected successful and unsuccessful varsity level baseball coaches and players, and basketball coaches. A review of the research literature on leadership effectiveness produced the conclusion that there is no best leadership style. The literature on leaders' personality traits showed inconsistent findings, although the theory that the effect of personality is contingent upon group environment has survived. Three test instruments were administered to coaches and players at the end of the intercollegiate season. The findings indicated: (1) No significant differences exist between baseball coaches, captains, and players on selected personality traits; (2) A comparison between successful and unsuccessful coaches revealed that successful coaches had a significantly lower score on aggression; (3) No significant difference was found between the coaches on locus of control; and (4) Little difference was found in the leadership styles of the baseball coaches, although they had lower scores on the people oriented leadership style than the captains or players. No unique style was found that characterized successful coaches. (FG)

Winners of the "Black Issues in Higher Education" Arthur Ashe Jr. 1997 athletes of the year, one male and one female, are profiled and Sport Scholars are listed for baseball, softball, basketball, fencing, archery, football, handball, soccer, field hockey, crew, swimming, gymnastics, tennis, squash, golf, volleyball, lacrosse, wrestling, water polo, and track and field. (MSE)

When historically black Coppin State College (Maryland) won over the University of South Carolina in the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament, it was the most significant victory in the history of sports at black colleges. During and since the victory, the college has received substantial public support, and the visibility of black colleges has been raised. (MSE)

This study investigated the relationship between skill performance levels of 31 elite male wheelchair basketball players and their international player classification level. Analysis of a skills test of each athlete indicated that there is a need to reevaluate the functional classification system used in wheelchair basketball competitions. (SM)

Provides statistical evidence that college athletics may enhance higher education's mission, using National Collegiate Athletic Association data and an alternative measure that captures athletic success for universities over time. Shows that basketball success at colleges and universities has an "advertisement effect" that helps these institutions attract high-quality students to campus. (10 references) (MLH)

Controlling for precollege aptitude and other influences, a study (n=2,416) found that male intercollegiate football and basketball players demonstrated net freshmen-year declines in reading and mathematics, while nonathletes and athletes in other sports showed modest net gains. Female athletes made smaller net gains in reading than nonathletes, but the effect depended on precollege ability. (Author/MSE)

Presents an approach to summarization that combines information from multiple facts into a single sentence using linguistic constructions. Describes two applications: one produces summaries of basketball games, and the other contains summaries of telephone network planning activity. Both summarize input data as opposed to full text. Discusses problems for summary generation. (contains 58 references) (AEF)

Reports a study that examined the effects of modification of basketball size and basket height on shooting performance and self-efficacy of children ages 9-12 years. Subjects completed a self-efficacy questionnaire before and after shooting 10 baskets under 4 conditions. Self-efficacy was highest when children shot at a lower basket. (SM)

Discusses the potential for training perception and cognition in sport through video simulation of game situations. The paper reviews perceptual training studies and data from studies involving slide and video training in basketball. Issues that arise when creating simulations and assessment of transfer are discussed. (SM)

Students from coeducational classes were assigned to a same-sex or a new coeducational physical education class for a 10-lesson unit of basketball. Group and individual analyses indicated that middle school students preferred same-sex classes, whereas high school students preferred coeducational classes. (SM)

Describes a grass-roots geographic education program that combines the efforts of elementary school teachers, Auburn University (Alabama), and a local newspaper. Explains that the program is designed as an alternative to existing curriculum materials. Discusses how geographic themes are illustrated in a way that takes advantage of local interest in Auburn University basketball. (DK)