Undergraduate Sport Management Students' Perceptions of Leadership Behaviors through Service Learning: A Quantitative, Quasi-Experimental Study

This quantitative, quasi-experimental study examined the effectiveness of a service learning activity on the perceived leadership behaviors of sport management undergraduate students at a mid-sized, Midwestern, public university. The participants in the study were 74 undergraduate students who were enrolled in four undergraduate sport management courses. The first research question analyzed how a service learning experience affects the self-reported perceptions of leadership behavior in sport management undergraduate students. The findings indicated that the students who participated in a service learning activity (experiential group) self-reported a decrease in all five leadership practices. The second research question asked how not having a service learning experience affects the self-reported perceptions of leadership behavior in sport management undergraduate students. The findings indicated that the students who did not participate in a service learning activity (control group) self-reported an increase in four of the leadership practices, and a decrease in one. While there are some important limitations, this study does contribute to the growing body of research in providing ideas in how to best utilize service-learning projects at the collegiate level to help students develop quality leadership behaviors. In addition, recommendations for further research and practice are discussed.