We want to welcome you to the website of the College Sport Research Institute (CSRI) at The University of Memphis, a collaborative effort involving many committed faculty from across the United States and around the world.

Intercollegiate athletics occupies a significant place in the intricate cultural fabric of United States higher education. To many, college sport is the symbolic 'tie that binds' alumni to present students. On many college campuses, stadiums and arenas consecrate the identity and remembrance of past athletic triumphs in a unique way. Major college presidents, in the midst of their school's trip to a prestigious bowl game or during the frenzied days of 'March Madness,' cite the ability of college sport to attract people to the institution in a way that few things can today.

While few still argue the sole purpose of 'big-time' college sport is character development, intercollegiate athletic department mission statements still contain language explicitly ascribing character-enhancing, educational benefits to college sport and expressing the preeminence of a concern for the well-being of the 'student-athlete.

Within this setting, it is vital that all those involved in college sport, including: NCAA and university administrators, athletic department staff members, faculty, media, and athletes have access to independent research focused on college-sport issues.

With this in mind, the College Sport Research Institute is committed to supporting independent data collection and analysis related to college-sport issues. The need for CSRI was best articulated on January 5, 2007, by NCAA President Myles Brand, who noted:
"There is little that frustrates me more than critics of college sports who get the facts wrong... I challenge the critics of college sports, in the media and on campus, to get their facts right... Meeting the challenges of intercollegiate athletics requires an informed, engaged faculty."
(2007 NCAA Convention State of the Association)

If you are a faculty researcher investigating college sport and the many issues that surround this complex financial, cultural and political enterprise and you are not already a CSRI faculty affiliate, we look forward to your future affiliation with the institute.

If you are a member of the media, looking for experts to speak to a specific college-sport issue or research results to provide context for a breaking news story, we hope this site provides you with useful contacts and information.

If you are a member of the general public interested in college sport, we hope the information on this site and CSRI's ongoing research projects will allow you to increase your knowledge and understanding of college sport.

If you are interested in learning more about the College Sport Research Institute and how you can support our ongoing research efforts, please contact a member of the CSRI staff or executive board.

Sincerely,

Dr. Richard M. Southall Director, College Sport Research Institute

Dr. Mark S. Nagel Associate Director, College Sport Research Institute

Mr. Peter H. Han Assistant Director, College Sport Research Institute