Abstract
At the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (DI) level, senior athletic administrators (SAAs) play a critical role in hiring Mental Performance Consultants (MPCs). Researchers found that NCAA DI administrators generally believe MPCs are beneficial in helping student-athletes manage competition pressures and improve performance, the number of full-time MPCs in NCAA DI athletic departments is still limited. In this study, eleven NCAA DI SAAs with at least one full-time MPC in their athletic department that solely delivered mental performance services were interviewed about their perceptions of and experiences with MPCs and their services. Using reflexive thematic analysis procedures, three themes were constructed: (a) SAAs’ knowledge about MPCs and mental performance services; (b) factors that influence SAAs’ perceived value in hiring MPCs; (c) critical factors for MPC service use within the athletic department. These findings provide insight into ways MPCs can improve visibility and establish value within DI athletic departments.
Recommended Citation
Eckenrod, Morgan R.; Zakrajsek, Rebecca; and Raabe, Johannes
(2025)
"NCAA Division I Senior Athletic Administrators' Perceptions of and Experiences with Mental Performance Consultants and their Services: A Qualitative Investigation,"
Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics: Vol. 18:
Iss.
1, Article 28.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51221/sc.jiia.2025.18.1.28
Available at:
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/jiia/vol18/iss1/28