Benefits of Campus Recreational Sports on African American College Students

The purpose of this study was to assess the benefits of campus recreational sports facilities and programs among African American students. A convenience sample of students from classes in the Department of Health and Human Performance at a small southeastern private historically black college and university was utilized in the study. The instrument consisted of a modified version of the National Intramural-Recreational Sport Association's Quality and Importance of Recreational Services Survey. Analysis of variance and independent t-test were used to test for differences between classification and the benefit of participating in campus recreational sports facilities, alpha = .05. It was determined that 80% benefited with enhancing their communication skills, 79% benefited with gaining respect for others and having a sense of belonging/association, 77% benefited with a sense of accomplishment, 76% benefited with enhancing leadership skills, 75% benefited with problem solving skills, developing friendships, handling several tasks at once, fitness, sports skills, and physical strength. Analysis of variance revealed juniors scored higher than freshmen and sophomores on benefiting from handling several things at once. Freshman scored higher than sophomores on benefiting from developing friendships. Juniors and seniors scored higher than sophomores on benefiting from understanding written information. Freshmen scored higher than sophomores on benefiting from handling several tasks at once. Males had higher scores than females on benefiting from self-confidence, feeling of physical well-being, sense of adventure, group cooperation skills, respect for others, communication skills, defining problems, problem-solving skills, weight control, sports skills, fitness, physical strength, stress reduction, balance/coordination, developing friendships, and handling several tasks at once.

Although limitations to the study exist, the results provide further evidence that students benefit from participating in recreational sports. This is a finding that can only serve to increase the practitioner's understanding of those who use such facilities and programs. More studies are needed to further examine the benefits of participating in campus recreational facilities and programs on African American students.