The conceptualization of resources for lesbian student-athletes to promote inclusive environments in division I institutions

• Published in: Journal for the study of sports and athletes in education 2018-05, Vol.12 (2), p.155-177
• Main Authors: Pfeiffer, Meghan E., Misawa, Mitsunori
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: division I; higher education climate; intercollegiate athletics; Lesbian; phenomenology; sport climate; student-athlete; survival
• ISSN: 1935-7397; 1935-7400
• DOI: 10.1080/19357397.2018.1483867

The purpose of the phenomenological study was to understand how lesbian student-athletes experience academic and sport environments at a Division I institution in the Southeast region of the United States. Due to the dearth tamount of research that captures the lesbian student-athlete experience in higher education, the research explored current lesbian Division I student-athletes' experiences of support and strategies used to persist in both environments. Additionally, the research sought to gain resource recommendations from participants to make environments continuously and/or growingly inclusive. Seven participants who attend a Division I institution were interviewed using a semi-structured interview process. Using a phenomenological lens, interviews were hand-coded and thematic analysis pinpointed two themes: (1) Support and (2) Survival Strategies. While experiences of the participants varied, a consensus among the participants calls for increased support from campus and athletic departments. Implications for practice, resource recommendations, and implications for future research will be addressed.