Grappling with money: A study of fundraising practices of NCAA wrestling coaches.

摘要

A shift in institutional priorities related to enhancing revenue-generating sport programs combined with economic factors has driven the elimination of many men's programs (Ridpath, Yiamouyiannis, Lawrence & Galles, 2009). The purpose of this study is to explore fundraising practices of top NCAA wrestling coaches to determine strategies that programs can implement to encourage sustainability initiatives. Coaches can support their own budgets by raising financial support of their program which will eliminate the budgetary pressure paramount to the decision to eliminate a sport (Weight, 2010). Ten NCAA Division I wrestling coaches were identified as the preeminent fundraisers in their field. In order to determine why people give to wrestling and the fundraising strategies of these coaches, interviews were conducted. The interviews were coded and analyzed for common themes. These themes and their sub-categories are discussed in order to provide a foundation for all coaches to implement fundraising initiatives of their own.