Sport specialization: athletic directors’ perspectives regarding the advantages and disadvantages for high school student-athletes

Researchers have indicated numerous reasons why student-athletes should or should not specialize. This study explored public and non-public high school athletic directors’ perceptions regarding the impact of sport specialization on high school student-athletes. This study was conducted with 30 high schools across the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (PIAA’s) District III region. Results were gathered using an online survey, interviews, and a review of athletic department coaching handbooks, mission statements, and any school board policies relating to sport specialization, sharing of student-athletes, sharing of facilities, and multiple-sport participation. Results from this study indicate that the majority of athletic directors perceived the disadvantages of sport specialization exceeded the advantages for high school student-athletes. Findings from this study may influence communication from coaches and parents/guardians to student-athletes and aid them in their decision-making process.