Date Approved

6-17-2009

Embargo Period

3-18-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in Higher Education Administration

Department

Educational Services and Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Sisco, Burton R.

Subject(s)

College athletes--New Jersey; Sports injuries--New Jersey

Disciplines

Higher Education Administration

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to examine emotions and processes of 21 Rowan University student athletes that experienced a minor or major injury during the fall and spring semester of the 2008/2009 academic year. A minor injury is defined as an injury that keeps the student athlete out of competition for 7 to 10 days. A major injury is defined in this study as an injury that is season-ending or surgical. Of the 21 student athletes 13, experienced a minor injury and eight student athletes experienced a major injury. The major injuries in this study were: a torn ACL, a torn ACL with a meniscal tear, a torn ACL with a MCL tear, a shoulder labrum tear, a hip labrum tear, a dislocated ankle with a fracture fibula, a fractured clavicle with an acromioclavicular ligament tear, and a Grade II Concussion. Data on the emotions and processes were collected from a demographic questionnaire, consisting of nine demographical questions, and an interview, consisting of 14 questions. Data analysis suggest that when a minor or major injury occurs, student athletes are overwhelmed with many different emotions such as: frustration, anger, fear of re-injury, being scared, motivation, and determination.

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