Factors Contributing to Student Athlete Selection of Nebraska Wesleyan University

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to gain insight into which factors of recruitment were important to a student-athletes decision regarding their choice of college. It is vital for recruiters to recognize factors that potential student-athletes consider important in the recruiting process, because a successful recruiter is one who can build a strong relationship with the student-athlete. The researcher selected Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) football student-athletes to conduct the study for the research. Seniors, juniors, and sophomores were selected to participate in the study. Participants completed a 12 question survey instrument that was designed to assess important recruiting factors. The student-athletes provided reasons about which factors were important to them. Major findings from the study indicated there were no differences among the opinions of the seniors, juniors and sophomores who responded to the questionnaire. The three most important factors that appeared to have an impact for forming the decision of the student-athlete were: 1. a positive impression of the school and athletic program as portrayed by the football recruiter during the first high school visit, 2. follow-up calls by the football recruiter after the high school visit assisted the development of a positive level of comfort with NWU, and 3. a positive experience during the on-campus visit. Adviser: Larry L. Dlugos