Abstract

An online search of the terms “parents” and “sports” together results in multitudes of articles, blogs, websites and other types of links that highlight and decry the changing face of youth sports. From parental violence to positive sports parenting, pampered players to ambitious parents, “win at all cost” to “don’t keep score”, the list is wide-ranging and long. While significant amounts of research have been done related to the roles, attitudes and expectations of parents in youth sports, less has been done related to parents of intercollegiate athletes – which, in effect, is “older” youth sports. This study examines the changed playing field of older youth sports through an analysis of the changing attitudes, expectations and traits of the parents of intercollegiate athletes as gauged by current, long-tenured collegiate coaches.