Identification of Athletes by Athletes at a Division I University

Participation rates for female athletes have grown
steadily; however, the media s coverage of female
athletes has not kept pace. This study examines the
identification of athletes by male and female
athletes at a Division I University as well as
investigates the athlete s perception of the media s
role in their identification of athletes, and the
media s coverage devoted to each gender. An
inventory of a local newspaper and national and
local television stations was conducted along with a
survey of 205 collegiate athletes. The results of
the media inventory demonstrated that little has
changed from past studies of coverage given to male
and female sports and the survey results showed that
television played a large influence in the athletes
selected by the athletes. Additionally, the survey
results illustrated another influence toward the
selection of athletes beyond the media. Are the
athletes perceptions dictated by the media
coverage, or is the media simply reflecting
society s interests? The study was conducted from
1999 to 2000 and the results from it remain timely
today, especially with the increased media options
that exist.

Autorentext

Jason G. Krump: Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Washington State University; Master of Science, Physical Education, Eastern Washington University. Communications Manager for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Washington State University, Pullman, WA. Has worked at major sporting events including the Ryder Cup and Kentucky Derby.

Klappentext

Participation rates for female athletes have grown steadily; however, the media's coverage of female athletes has not kept pace. This study examines the identification of athletes by male and female athletes at a Division I University as well as investigates the athlete's perception of the media's role in their identification of athletes, and the media's coverage devoted to each gender. An inventory of a local newspaper and national and local television stations was conducted along with a survey of 205 collegiate athletes. The results of the media inventory demonstrated that little has changed from past studies of coverage given to male and female sports and the survey results showed that television played a large influence in the athletes selected by the athletes. Additionally, the survey results illustrated another influence toward the selection of athletes beyond the media. Are the athletes' perceptions dictated by the media coverage, or is the media simply reflecting society's interests? The study was conducted from 1999 to 2000 and the results from it remain timely today, especially with the increased media options that exist.