Journal of Physical Education and Sports Management

Motivations, Preferences, and New Media Usage for Intramural Participation: A Case Study of a Small, Private Midwestern College
David Hack, PhD; Jordan Cola, PhD, CSCS

Abstract
Intramural sport participation can positively impact college students’ academic performance, social development, and physical well-being (Sturts & Ross, 2013). With that in mind, a small, private Midwestern four-year college that was experiencing significant growth in their traditional, on-campus housing population sought to understand more about the preferences, motivations, and new media usage of their intramural sports participants. Therefore, the purpose of this case study was to examine that motivations, preferences and employment of new media for participants in the college’s intramural sports program. Findings from the study reveal enjoyment of competition and the desire to stay physically fit as the strongest motivating factors for intramural sport participation. Respondents preferred competition during the fall semester with competition start times between 7:01 pm and 9:00 pm. Competitors also preferred on-line registration methods and a championship t-shirt as an award. Findings also indicated that participants utilize new media methods very frequently in general but rarely use those methods to interact with the college’s recreational sports program. Implications, recommendations, and future research direction are discussed.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jpesm.v6n1a7