Colin Stoner | 2025 I.S. Symposium

Name: Colin Stoner
Title: The Relationships Between Coaching Styles, Team Communication, and Sport Motivation as They Pertain to Athletic Success
Major: Communication Studies
Advisor: Michelle Johnson

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between coaching styles, team communication, and sport motivation as they relate to the success of athletes and their teams. By delving into the ways coaches communicate their strategies, provide feedback, and motivate athletes, this research aims to uncover relationships between leadership approaches and team dynamics. The study also delves into intra-team communication, examining its role in fostering collaboration and morale while highlighting its impact on motivation and performance. To gather data, an electronic survey was sent out to student-athletes at The College of Wooster. Findings indicate there was no difference in motivation between male and female athletes, nor between athletes who had played their sport for a long period of time compared to those who had not. It was also found that most athletes prefer a more open coaching style rather than a dictatorial style. One major implication of this study is that student-athletes have responsibilities outside of their sports, so they thrive in environments with social support and positive communications.

Posted in Symposium 2025 on May 1, 2025.