Blegen, M., Boner, D., Stenson, M., & Matthews, T. (2009). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation differences between NCAA Division III championship and non-championship football teams. ACSM 56th Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Presentation number 2753.

This study investigated if motivation differences existed between championship and non-championship NCAA Division III football teams. Players (N = 221) from three NCAA Division III football programs (one championship level and two non-championship level) served as Ss. During the previous five seasons the championship level team had a combined record of 54-3 with three NCAA Division III National Championships. The non-championship level teams had a combined record of 23-77 with no NCAA Division III playoff appearances. All players completed the Sport Motivation Scale. Dependent variables included internal motivation to experience stimulation, internal motivation for accomplishment, internal motivation for knowledge, external motivation for identification regulation, external motivation for introjection regulation, external motivation for external regulation, and amotivation.

The interaction between starter status and team was not significant. There were no significant differences in the mean vector scores for starter vs. non-starter. For team type, differences did exist across all variables except amotivation, the championship level team had significantly higher scores than the non-championship level teams.

Implication. Successful college football players have higher motivation to participate in their sport compared to non-championship team members. [Champions want to accomplish more and are prepared to do what it takes to achieve that than do non-champions.]

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