It effects everything we do: Collegiate athlete’s perceptions of sport-related travel

ABSTRACTConference realignment is the practice of universities moving from one athletic conference to another in hopes of increased media exposure and revenue. One aspect of conference realignment that does not garner as much attention is the travel demands that are placed upon the athletes. The purpose of the study was to understand how athletes perceive the effects of travel on their performance on the playing field and in the classroom. Football players from the Big Ten and Big 12 and hockey players from the WCHA and Hockey East conferences completed a qualitative questionnaire about their perceptions about the travel demands of their sport. Results indicated that most of the athletes felt the travel had a negative impact on their athletic performance, academics, and personal relationships. The findings could be useful for university and athletic administrators when deciding whether to change conferences for one that may require longer travel distances.