| The purpose of this study was to assess community college coaches' perceptions of sport psychology by administering an online questionnaire to California baseball and softball coaches employed throughout the state's community college system. Specifically, this study aimed to (a) determine community college coaches' perceptions of the value of sport psychology, (b) assess their willingness to bring in a sport psychology consultant to work with them and their team, (c) understand their perceptions of common barriers to utilizing sport psychology services, and (d) give participants a forum to share their thoughts concerning community college athletics and sport psychology. Fifty-five head and assistant coaches completed the questionnaire that was sent via email. Statistical analyses revealed that there were no significant differences found between the coaches' perceptions of the value of sport psychology and the independent variables of gender, college major, title, sport, or exposure. However, when willingness to bring in a sport psychology consultant (SPC) was examined, female coaches were more willing to bring in an SPC than male coaches, F(1, 53) = 5.079, p < .05. Frequencies counts were also generated on the coaches' perceived barrier variables, indicating that money (81.10%) and time (48.10%) were the greatest perceived barriers to sport psychology. Overall, results indicated that at the community college level, coaches value sport psychology and are willing to bring in an SPC if the conditions are favorable. |
