What drives and motivates the Division III female basketball "bench warmer" to compete every day?

Abstract

This study was designed to collect data on motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic) and self-determination of Division III female basketball "bench warmers." At the Division III level there is no binding contract or athletic scholarship as an incentive to stay dedicated and compete at an elite level daily. A person who continues to be a part of a team, and may not necessarily be contributing in a statistical standpoint might view him or herself as a bench warmer. The survey was sent to eight Division III University of Wisconsin schools. The ages of the participants ranged from 18 to 24. The survey was completed by 53 participants. Division III female college athletes were asked questions regarding their background, demographics, and role on the team (starter, sub, bench warmer). Additional questions from the Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-E) targeted motivation, and the Self-Determination Scale (SDS) targeted perceived choice and self-awareness. The scales were modified in reference to the study being conducted. It was predicted that the sub and bench warmer groups would score higher on intrinsic motivation whereas the starter groups would be more extrinsically motivated. It was also predicted the starters would score higher on self-determination (perceived choice and self-awareness) compared to the sub and bench warmer groups. We compared the independent variables (starter, sub, bench warmer) with motivation and self-determination (dependent variables) using MANOVA. Bench warmers scored the highest on intrinsic motivation (M = 6.25) whereas starters had the lowest intrinsic motivation (M = 5.55) although there were no significant differences between playing status and motivation. There were no significant differences between playing status groups and self-determination. Unlike the SRQ-E there were not any practical group differences either. The results of this study suggest that intrinsic motivation may be keeping the bench interested in competing without incentives of a scholarship or playing time. The project also allows coaches and those seeking motivational techniques an insight to what drives the Division III female basketball player to compete.