It must be noted that the relatively small sample size or number of observations in each cell prohibit the use of more sophisticated statistical methods in this study. Rather, we will compare winning percentages per contest and winning percentages under certain game scenarios. Still, we believe we can make valid conclusions from the data.
Historically, there has been some advantage to sports teams playing in their home stadiums and communities. These advantages can include: a raucous crowd of fans, a familiar environment, the lack of travel to the game destination, and other factors. Over the last 10 years, on average, home teams have won the majority their home games in the following sports 6, p. Jamieson 3 , reporting a meta-analysis of studies on home field advantage, noted that home field advantage tends to be strongest for basketball, hockey, and soccer and less for football and baseball.
It should be noted that, for NCAA sports these records also include non-conference competition. In scheduling their non-conference games, some institutions choose non-peers for such games, and often provide an appearance fee for that team. For this reason, this study is enhanced by its focus on peer-competition i. Against this backdrop, member institutions are looking at a new revenue sources, and b sensible cost reductions. As noted earlier, scheduling two games in a geographic area can help reduce operating costs while concurrently reducing lost class time for student-athletes.
Consider these two options for a team from South Carolina to play two teams in Texas or Arkansas. As illustrated above, the school incurs the cost of one airfare per person to play two games. And, students miss one fewer day of class for each trip five days as opposed to six days. Applied to this study, this suggests a South Carolina school is not at a greater competitive disadvantage when scheduling these longer distance two-game road trips. Conference USA, a neighboring Division I FBS Conference with 14 member schools, uses a similar pattern of scheduling with the following travel partner paired institutions:.
The data was extracted from the website and input into EXCEL to track the won-loss records of the various teams and institutions. First, we see the following winning percentages for all contests:. When we shift the analysis to the second game of a two-game road trip, the following summary statements are offered:. As illustrated above and in Tables , there was not a significant reduction in road team performance in Game 2 of two-game road trips. And, Game 2 performance i.
When a team split a road trip i. Over a season of competition, a team will typically play 3 types of contents: 1 games between comparable teams — no favorite to win; 2 games where one team is slightly favored to win; and 3 games where one team is heavily favored to win. Teams have unexpected wins and unexpected losses. Arguably, all teams have the potential to experience each outcome over the life of a season.
From this measure, overall stronger teams can be identified and the actual outcomes of the games can be classified and evaluated. For a team league, there tends to be 3 clusters of teams: 1 Upper 2 Middle, and 3 Lower. This division of teams allows for a breakdown of games into 3 clusters:. The focus of this study is road team performance; specifically, road team performance in Game 2 of a two-game road trip.
Using these three clusters for each sport, the researchers can determine the following outcomes for both Game 1 and Game 2 for each sport:. The following summary statements are offered:. This season, most teams pair the same roommates from campus dormitories in hotels to assist with contact tracing. Other teams, including DePaul, have booked single rooms. Illinois players pass time with a deck of cards, playing blackjack or poker. Many play basketball or war video games.
Forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili said he usually naps. Yet, he noted, this season teammates are the only ones who see each other for the most part — home or away, at games or at home. Always make sure not only you have a mask on, but also have your teammates accountable.
Illinois sometimes brings its own workout equipment on the road because hotel exercise rooms are often closed. Underwood, who has become a devoted exerciser during the pandemic, takes long walks on game days rather than watch movies in his room.
There might be more of those on the way. Many coaches predict quick-turnaround games as teams try to make up postponements in the final month. The Missouri Valley Conference restructured its schedule this season so teams play back-to-back games at the same site. Maintaining a mental edge in that setup takes focus. The second challenge is when you lose the first one, are you going to come back fighting and not wallowing?
The postseason will heighten these long days of feeling trapped in hotels. Many teams employ an operations manager or multiple operations assistants to guarantee that game days run smoothly and that all travel is efficiently handled. Operations managers are often tasked with managing the athletics budget, ensuring logistical details relating to scheduling and travel are smoothed out, and more.
Unsurprisingly, this is a big job that requires experience and attention to detail. For student-athletes, it is sometimes hard to assess which part of their identity comes first: student or athlete. These talented players spend countless hours at practice and training to prepare for a rigorous football season and simultaneously try to find a way to balance their course load and social life while finding time to eat well and rest.
The good news is, particularly at schools with massive football programs, there are a plethora of resources dedicated to helping student-athletes succeed—from physical trainers to access to academic support centers.
Countless articles have surfaced over the years detailing the excessive gourmet food budgets allocated for college football players. For student-athletes, particularly college football players, time management is huge. Parents have a very specific role throughout the official visit: Let the athlete be the focus of the experience. For some parents, it might be hard to let go and allow their student-athlete to take center stage during this visit.
However, parents should let their athlete ask questions and take control of the conversation. Give them an opportunity to hold a candid, uninterrupted conversation with the coach.
Allow them to make their own opinions about the school before injecting your point of view. When the conversation turns to finances, scholarships and paying for college, this is where coaches typically expect parents to jump in. For more on the topic, check out the video below featuring former sports broadcaster David Kmiecik and D1 and D3 swim coach Danny Koenig.
While every official visit will be slightly different, recruits can expect that the trip will include a campus tour. This is your chance to familiarize yourself with the campus and ask yourself if you would enjoy living there for four years. As you tour the campus, take notes. Use the following checklist to make sure you hit all the key spots on campus:. Coaches typically will want you to meet a few members of the team—or the whole team—to see how your chemistry checks out.
You may also be invited to participate in a workout or another team activity. According to NCAA rules, however, any kind of workout you attend on an official visit cannot be organized by the coach or coaching staff. Take this opportunity to see if you connect with your potential teammates. You will also likely get some one-on-one time with the coach.
This is a chance for you to ask any final questions that you have. Before your visit, write down some questions and keep adding to the list so you have something to go off of when you sit down with the coach.
The coach will also probably have some questions for you, too. Here are just a few examples of questions to expect from a coach during your visit:. Some coaches will arrange for you and your parents to attend a home sporting event.
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