Tenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

There is much to be gained from applying values as exemplified by athletes in team sports to non-sports higher education. These values include the motivational power of competition; striving to achieve one’s personal best; supporting and helping one’s teammates; persistence and refusal to quit; resiliency in moving ahead after defeat. Academic competitions are high impact strategies that teach and engage students. We will discuss our experiences as faculty advisors and coaches of the Queensborough Community College Mock Trial Team and in an accounting case competition and our use of such academic competitions to teach and to engage students. Through participation in these competitions, students gain experience in public speaking, speaking extemporaneously, critical thinking, analytical reasoning and thinking on their feet. Students acquire self-confidence and collaborative working skills. In some cases, participation in these competitions may be the reason some students remain in or return to, school. The positive values associated with team sports competitions also may be derived from such non-sports academic competitions. Understanding these values and that they may be associated with, and derived from, non-sports academic competitions are valuable insights for the educator seeking to engage and motivate students in non-sports related disciplines both inside and outside of the classroom.