Comparison Study On The Development (Management) Models Of High-level Swimming Teams In Universities Between China And The United States

American colleges and universities are the cradle for training Olympic champions.Student-athletes from the University of Southern California represented the US national team and won 137 gold medals in the history of the Olympic Games.417 athletes of the 555 athletes who were selected in US national team for 2016 Olympic Games in Rio came from the National Collegiate Athletic Association.In contrast,since the first recruitment of high-level sports teams of universities in China in 1986,only few of college students have participated in recent Olympic Games.The swimming team of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the swimming team of the Southeast University of China have both traditions and advantages in swimming programs in universities both in the United States and China.The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the team management mode of the high-level swimming team between Southeast University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in order to reveal the disadvantages and gaps in team management and construction existing in universities’ swimming team in China,and then give the constructive suggestions to broaden the thoughts of management of swimming team in China,narrow the gaps with the western universities,and explore a new way for the construction of high-level sport teams with Chinese characteristics in universities.This research adopts literature data method,case analysis method,interviewing method,and qualitative research method.The athletic directors,coaches,student-athletes and physical therapist are recruited to participate in a semi-structure interview.The interview contents are the ideology of team management of the swimming team in China and US,training and competition system,recruitment management,academic management,support systems,coaches’ management,and sports cultural difference.The research methods adopted in this study are: literature data method,case analysis method,interview method and qualitative research method.Through analysis and comparison,the summary is as below:1.The swimming team of UIUC is more likely to foster the individuals who has social leadership via the education part of athletics.However,the goal of the swimming team of SEU is not only to respond the call of the country and to serve competitive sports,but also to meet the need for itself to build a world-class university.2.Cultural differences have resulted in the two swimming teams exhibiting different behavioral characteristics in sports participation.The athletes of UIUC swimming team showed a more active and positive attitude in pursuing self-improvement.The internal motivation of the athletes “I want to practice” was outstanding.However,the athletes of the swimming team of SEU showed their external motivation of “others want me to practice”.3.Comparing with the NCAA competition system which establishes a stable competition season,the competition season of university level in China is uncertain and random.It results in that there is a gap in the practice between SEU and UIUC where is more scientific,effective,and systematic.Meanwhile,unlike the diverse competitions organized by the UIUC Swimming Team during the competition period,the athletes of the SEU swimming team have fewer opportunities to participate meets,and the types of the meet are single.4.Due to the differences in the recruitment system between the two countries,the two teams differ greatly in recruitment procedure.The UIUC swimming team adopts the pattern of long-term follow-up and two-way communication for recruitment.In that case,athletes have a high degree of autonomy in selecting universities and coaches.However,the recruitment in SEU swimming team is based on a pattern of one single test.This seemingly fair and just selection method ignores the motivation of athletes’ choice and athletes’ potential.Therefore,it is not surprising that some athletes exhibit the motivation of “want me to practice” after they entered the school.5.The Athletic Department of UIUC is equipped with an athletic trainer,a physical therapist,a nutritionist,and a psychologist for the swimming team.However,coach in the swimming team of SEU takes duty for all aspects,which restricts coaches to have more time arranging scientific practices and customizing practice for athletics.In addition,there is still a big gap in budget,equipment and facilities between the swimming team of UUC and the swimming team of SEU.Aiming at the gaps existing in the management of high-level sports teams between China and the United States,the following suggestions are given:1.Emphasis on the student-athletes’ joint development on academic study,athletic training and personality improvement2.Create a good sport atmosphere in universities to stimulate the student-athletes’ intrinsic motivation and the sense of belonging3.Establish a scientific and systematic training system and competition mechanism4.Formulate and improve student-athletes’ academic management countermeasures and systems5.Integrate universities’ strengths and resources,and provide a strong supportive system...