Does socioeconomic status limit an equivalency sport coach’s ability to recruit student-athletes?

The purpose of this exploratory, quantitative study was to determine whether NCAA Division I coaches in equivalency sports, where scholarships are divided among athletes, consider a potential recruit’s socioeconomic status prior to and during the recruiting process. A survey was sent to all NCAA Division I soccer, track & field, baseball, and softball head coaches. Surveys were returned at a rate of 24.6 percent. The data sets were analyzed through mean comparisons and ANOVA analyses. The results of this study indicated that socioeconomic status is a factor in the recruiting process. Additionally, the data revealed that involvement in club sport activity is a primary recruiting tool that can restrict potential recruits from lower socioeconomic households. Collegiate coaches and administrators, as well as high school coaches, can utilize the findings to help learn more about other funding opportunities, including those related to academic standing and community service.