Sport organizations frequently present themselves as committed to diversity and inclusion by creating an array of policies, programs and other initiatives. However, this image of diversity and inclusion is often not reflected in actual organizational practices, as leadership positions remain largely dominated by White men. To investigate the ways in which elite sport organizations frame diversity and inclusion, the current study analyzed documents produced by the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, National Football League and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Using principles of critical race theory as a framework, the findings illustrate ways in which these organizations frame diversity generally and racial diversity specifically. While each organization publicized numerous policies, programs, events and other initiatives ostensibly intended to promote diversity and inclusion, the terms “racism” or “sexism” did not appear once in their materials. Ultimately, if organizations fail to recognize and address the structural causes of inequality, any initiatives they promote are unlikely to foster meaningful progress with respect to social justice.

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of sport in Detroit as a tool for shaping the image of the downtown area as a tourist destination. We utilized two different sources of data collection: we interviewed a panel of local experts representing sport and tourism stakeholders in Detroit, and we also examined local and national media reports published during the World Series in 2002. Results indicated that efforts are placed on broadening the scope of events the city hosts to attract more visitors and improve the image of the downtown area, but at the same time, the major problems the city is currently experiencing send a rather dual message of the role sport plays in this city's image. Additionally, results from the media analysis produced three key themes: (1) Recovery of the city; (2) Negative image of the city; and (3) Financial woes. Overall, our findings provide mixed evidence about the role of sport as a vehicle for building a positive image of Detroit. Sport could be an image-booster for Detroit, yet any image increase is superseded by the city's other major problems (e.g. economics, population decrease).

The purpose of this article is to describe the value of the outdoor camp experiences among youth with disabilities participating in an outdoor therapeutic camp. The focus of the analysis is to understand the dimensions of positive youth development amongst youth campers with disabilities. A total of 12 campers were interviewed, 6 male and 6 female. Emerging themes included: (a) social, (b) character building, and (c) self-confidence and provide linkages to positive youth development domains. Findings identified the benefits that youth receive from attending an outdoor therapeutic recreation camp program such as opportunities to interact with old and new friends, feeling like a member for the camp family, feeling accepted and able to be themselves. Other benefits included becoming more independent, autonomous, and more self-confident.

This paper examines the role and function of collegiate sport chaplains. Very little research has been done on this subject. To date there have been only two scholarly papers written on the subject. The core elements of the collegiate sport chaplains' work centers around encouraging; praying for spiritual guidance; responding to emergencies; being a liaison with hospitals, clinics or other institutions; and counseling. These key tasks are comparable to those of traditional chaplains. There are a minimal number of training and certification initiatives in place. Sport chaplains tend to affiliate with organizations such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and Athletes in Action (AIA) and are less inclined to affiliate with traditional organizations such as the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) or the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC). This paper presents data from one study on collegiate sport chaplains and explores opportunities to improve the quality of sport chaplaincy through affiliation with chaplaincy organizations such as APC, AAPC, embracing credentialing and collaborative training initiatives. Material presented also appeared in “Sport chaplaincy: Problems and promise,” Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics and is reprinted with the consent of JIIA. http://csrijiia.org/documents/puclications/researcharticles/2008/JIIA_2008_5_Waller_Publish.pdf

The retention of racial minority students lies at the core of diversity efforts instituted by colleges and universities across the nation. Withstanding the changing racial demographics of the U.S. and the need to have qualified racial minority professionals serving diverse communities retention and matriculation heighten in importance. With the retention challenge that many predominately White institutions (PWIs) face, this study aimed to understand how “social connectedness” related to African American student retention in a recreation and leisure studies program. Focus group methodology was utilized to chronicle the lived experience of African American students. From the analysis of the data three key themes emerged: (1) Connectedness to the academic program; (2) connectedness to the campus; and (3) importance of faculty. The third theme includes two sub-themes: diverse faculty and importance of minority faculty. The findings suggests: 1) overall, the focus group participants did not feel socially connected to the academic program nor the campus; and 2) these particular students did not have a strong sense of belonging, as demonstrated by supportive relationships with faculty.

Being compassionate to others can take its toll on practitioners working in emotionally exhausting professions such as recreational therapy (RT). Research that examines compassion satisfaction/compassion fatigue (CS/CF) in allied health settings is in abundance, but is noticeably absent in RT settings. This paper examines the levels of CS/CF in students working at a therapeutic camp for youth with multiple disabilities in the United States. The findings of the study revealed that: (1) the sample scored in the “high” range on the CS subscale; “average” on the burnout subscale; and “low” in the secondary stress trauma (STS) subscale; and (2) significant differences were found in CS/CF scores based on age and academic major. This research also reveals the importance of training in advance of therapeutic camp experiences towards the end of increasing CS, reducing burnout and STS. The practical implications for students and recreational therapists point to the need for training, awareness of the signs of CF, and the need for effective self-care as strategies.