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NSASS

@nsass.bsky.social
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The 2018-19 National Sports & Society Survey (NSASS) surveyed 3,993 US adults, focusing on sports-related behaviors, attitudes, and links to well-being. Initial piloting for a full follow-up wave of data collection occurred in 2024-25. PI: Chris Knoester

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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Glad to aid excellent inquiry by @jimbaumbach.bsky.social on "...'a complicated issue' influenced by parental opinions and interests that run down cultural, political and socioeconomic lines. But the debate typically begins with head injuries..." Knoester said. www.newsday.com/long-island/...
newsday.com
Long Island high school football players are down 30% in a decade. Here's why.
Long Island's decline is nearly nine times the rate in high school football participation nationally.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
From @nsass.bsky.social :“The differences in having athlete friends, based on private club or travel sports participation histories, appeared to increase among the youngest...This seems to speak to the increasingly all-encompassing nature of private club & travel sports participation," said Knoester
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
"Some studies have shown that people who play heavy contact sports in their youth are more likely to commit violence later on." *Based on linked OSU News summary (news.osu.edu/participatin... ) of @nsass.bsky.social research by Emily Nothnagle and Chris Knoester www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/h...
nytimes.com
Philadelphia High School Football Coaches Learn to Tackle Emotions
A training program for coaches in Philadelphia seeks to help players deal with trauma off the field.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
“Healthy, fit, high-achieving athletes are remarkable symbols, which make them not only effective advertising commodities — as we’ve seen on our televisions and social media feeds frequently — but also representatives of American exceptionalism,” said Knoester www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/au...
washingtontimes.com
Patriot Games near as competitors shrug off ‘Hunger Games’ comparison
More than 100 young athletes will gather in Geneva, Ohio, this weekend for the Freedom 250 Patriot Games, an athletic competition that President Trump painted as proof of American exceptionalism but w...
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Nice to speak w/ Dom Mastrangelo for his politics, private equity, & youth sports summary for @thehill.com. "It is hard to counteract this movement in sports and society... Community investments, bolstered by congressional action, could be a way to offer some support.” thehill.com/newsletters/...
thehill.com
Lawmakers probe private equity’s tightening grip on youth sports
A growing number of private investment firms are pouring millions into youth sports, and critics say their capitalization on the athletic development of…
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Excellent writeup by Elizabeth Weinstein on our National Sports and Society Survey sport participation and violence study: news.osu.edu/participatin...
news.osu.edu
Participating in heavy-contact youth sports, dropping out of sports linked to acts of violence
Contrary to popular belief, simply playing organized youth sports does not reduce the likelihood of committing violence in one’s lifetime, and in some cases, may increase it, according to a new study....
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Nice to serve as a source for critique by @alexis-buisson.bsky.social in ep. 4 of a superb World Cup series: Can "soccer" be a patriotic sport like any other? Historically, American sports (football, baseball, and hockey) have been used to glorify the homeland, the nation, and the military.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Knoester notes: “There’s the glass-half-full story, that more people are being exposed to and participating... and the glass-half-empty story, that the increase is overwhelmingly a result of people playing and then dropping out.” @patrickcsisson.bsky.social id's changes, problems, & some solutions.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
"The explosive rise of club and travel teams, with children born in the 1990s three times as likely to participate in them as those born in the 1950s, according to a new study from Ohio State, which has led to a dearth of community coaches..." doi.org/10.1177/0193... www.inquirer.com/sports/youth...
inquirer.com
Philly wants more community sports programs for kids. What’s lacking? Dedicated coaches.
As more kids increasingly flock to for-profit programs, community coaches are disappearing. A trend the city hopes to reverse by partnering with programs training teens to become the next generation.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Based off @jgrabmeier.bsky.social write-up of @jssisport.bsky.social research, analyses & commentary from McLeod & Knoester on parental expectations integrated in reporting of new GOALS data on NCAA college athletes’ own expectations of becoming a pro/Olympic athlete. www.deseret.com/sports/2026/...
deseret.com
Most male college athletes expect to turn pro despite the odds
NCAA survey found more than of half Division I male athletes see themselves as future pros
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Playing heavy-contact sports was also positively associated with ever committing violence. Thus, it seems that organized youth (& adult) sport participation is not a very effective social control for violent behavior. In fact, sports may commonly encourage violent behaviors-- esp heavy-contact ones.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Subsequent results revealed that playing org youth sport and dropping out was uniquely and positively associated with ever committing violence. Associations with recent violence were apparently being driven by youth who first played organized sports during their teenage years.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Sports are commonly thought to be prosocial and otherwise “good.” Yet, our initial findings indicate positive associations between ever having played organized youth sports while growing up and both ever committing violence and recently committing violence, among US adults.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
New @nsass.bsky.social research by Emily Nothnagle and Chris Knoester on sports participation over the life course and the likelihood of committing acts of violence, now published in Sociology of Sport Journal. doi.org/10.1123/ssj....
doi.org
Does Sport Participation Deter or Encourage Violence? Patterns of Sport Participation and Acts of Violence Over the Life Course
Using data from the National Sports and Society Survey (N = 3,993) and logistic regression analyses, this study drew upon social control, differential association, and life course theories to examine ...
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
d) Finally, Leeann Lower-Hoppe received OSU Department of Human Sciences seed funding to begin a National Disability & Sport Project, w/ 20 in-depth interviews & quantitative data analyses of @nsass.bsky.social respondents. Kelly Tanner & CHRR are supporting this exciting & important project.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
c) The OSU SSI released its '25 Research report (sportsandsociety.osu.edu/research), & announced its new Institute status, as it continues to serve as a hub for fascinating, cutting-edge & impactful interdisciplinary sports & society work; with major @nsass.bsky.social investments and contributions
sportsandsociety.osu.edu
Research | Sports and Society Institute
2025 Sports and Society Institute Research Productivity SummaryA key focus of our initiative is to support, fund and promote research conducted at the intersection of sports and society. Here is our 2...
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
b) We completed 500 new 2025 Wave II Initial Piloting (Phase 2) surveys, in partnership with CHRR. This enabled initial piloting work, a blended 2024-25 cross-section of data, & some replacement sampling for potential @nsass.bsky.social longitudinal panel study purposes. nsass.org
nsass.org
National Sports and Society Survey
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Tristan was given an Outstanding Sports and Society Research Award for his presentation at the Conference. Neil received a $4.5k Undergraduate Research Scholarship from the OSU College of Arts & Sciences Honors Program to further his presented Undergrad Research Thesis work.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
A few NSASS updates, as we transition to summer: a) Congrats to Tristan Hoh & Neil Sampath for their @nsass.bsky.social research & presentations! Both presented wonderfully at the OSU SSI's 8th Undergrad Research Fair/6th Sports Analytics Conference! sportsandsociety.osu.edu/events/6th-a...
sportsandsociety.osu.edu
6th Annual Ohio State Sports Analytics Conference
The 6th Annual Ohio State Sports Analytics Conference encompasses three days of events, Thursday, March 26 through Saturday, March 28: a virtual conference on March 26, a panel discussing investment i...
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
In part, drawing on a quote generated by @jgrabmeier.bsky.social, in interviewing Chris Knoester and Chris Bjork and summarizing their @nsass.bsky.social research, Andy Brehm critiques changes in youth sports in @startribune.com www.startribune.com/kids-sports-...
startribune.com
Brehm: Have youth sports gotten out of control?
"Youth athletics seem to have quietly consumed the American childhood calendar — evolving from being an important part of growing up into the organizing principle of many families’ entire existence," ...
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American Sociological Association @asanews.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
"Our findings suggest that sports gambling behaviors seem to be a function of religious identities, affiliations, cultures, and practices, but in pretty nuanced ways,” says ASA member Chris Knoester (Ohio State) about new research with Laura Upenieks (Baylor).
bit.ly
Religious affiliation doesn't prevent sports betting, Ohio State study shows
The study results shows that Catholics, especially Catholic men, were the most likely group to bet on sports.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Interesting reflection on our latest National Sports and Society Survey study, on religion, gender, and sports gambling. casinobeats.com/2026/05/07/o...
casinobeats.com
One Catholic's Confession on Sports Betting
A recent Ohio State study found that Catholic men are the most likely to bet on sports. I derived a strange sense of pride in that finding.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Nice summary of our new religion, gender, & sports gambling @nsass.bsky.social study by @ekcaldwell.bsky.social! news.osu.edu/having-a-rel...
news.osu.edu
Having a religious affiliation doesn’t prevent betting on sports
Having a religious affiliation doesn’t stop people from betting on sports in the United States, according to a new study.Results showed that people who infrequently attend religious services are more ...
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Of course, need to continue to seek to understand how religiosity and gender shape behaviors—including risky behaviors. Moreover, trace how sports gambling, and its connections to religiosity and gender, has changed with the apparent and dramatic increase in sports gambling in more recent years.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Suggests sports gambling was relatively common & involved low stakes in '18ish. Religiosity didn't automatically curb sports gambling. Instead, interacted w/ gender & denominational affiliations, w/ Catholic men & occasional attendees being particularly likely to gamble on sports.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Women were especially less likely to gamble; differences were most pronounced among frequent religious service attendees. Also, Catholic men were especially likely to gamble on sports and to gamble more $. Among sports gamblers, women reported winning $232 less than other respondents.
Gender differences in recent sports gambling most pronounced among frequent religious service attendees, infrequent attendees reported highest likelihoods of sports gamblingCatholic men especially likely to have recently gambled on sports.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
17% of respondents reported gambling on sports over the previous year and respondents reported gambling $57, on average. Sports gamblers reported that they won $165, on average. Yet, gender and religiosity differences were apparent...
17% respondents ever gambled on sports in past year, $57 gambled on average, $165 reported winnings among gamblers
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
New NSASS research by Laura Upenieks & Chris Knoester on religiosity, gender, & sports gambling published in SSJ. Finds modest levels of sports gambling around the time of the Supreme Court’s overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). doi.org/10.1123/ssj....
doi.org
Sanctified Bets? Religiosity, Gender, and Sports Gambling in the United States
Over the past decade, the gambling landscape in the United States has shifted dramatically, with sports betting becoming more accessible and widespread than ever. Sports gambling is linked to sanctifi...
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
So nice to speak to @gailcornwall.com about changes in youth sports! Appreciated the integration of @nsass.bsky.social work, in telling what has transpired, too.
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Columbus - Feeds @columbus.tomkahe.com.ap.brid.gy · 23/02/2026
A shift from the sandlot to the travel team for youth sports
news.osu.edu
A shift from the sandlot to the travel team for youth sports
Pickup basketball and neighborhood kickball are less common now than for generations past, giving way to more organized and formal youth sports intended to help kids get ahead, a new study suggests.Researchers found that compared to people born in earlier decades, youths born in the 1990s spent more of their recreational time playing formal spor...
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Since distinct & recognized costs/benefits to both informal & formal sports—worth keeping an eye on trends & nurturing varied settings, if one wants to play formally org sports. Some concern that in recent years, informal sports participation has fallen by wayside. And, SES diffs more problematic.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
These generational and SES trends also seemed to play out in children's most played sport-- except here the SES disparities became especially pronounced, recently. And, more invested and passionate family and community sport cultures seemed to have led to more formally org sports participation.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
First, shows empirical evidence of increasing tilts toward playing more formally organized sports, vs informal sports, across generations. Second, finds that family socioeconomic status is positively associated with playing more formally organized sport, on a relative basis.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
New research by Chris Knoester & Chris Bjork, in @leisuresciences.bsky.social, analyzes patterns of playing informal (e.g., playground, pickup) vs. formally organized (e.g., adults in charge, uniforms) sports while growing up, across past 60 yrs. doi.org/10.1080/0149... @tandfresearch.bsky.social
doi.org
The Relative Frequencies of Playing Sports Informally Versus Formally, While Growing Up: An Analysis of Generational and Socioeconomic Status Differences in the U.S
Using large-scale national data (n = 3,845), this study employed multiple regressions to analyze U.S. adults’ reports of their relative frequencies playing informal versus formally organized sports...
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
@nsass.bsky.social in the news: Chris McLeod appeared on FOX News-- One Nation with Brian Kilmeade to discuss our research, in @jssisport.bsky.social, on parents' expectations for their children's athletic achievements. (tv paid link: www.foxnews.com/video/638865...) open.spotify.com/episode/4BxI...
open.spotify.com
Democrats Forget Winning Agenda From 2025 Guest Host Charlie Hurt
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
@nsass.bsky.social research in the news: appreciated the engagement and commentary. www.parents.com/17-percent-o...
parents.com
17% of Parents Think Their Kid is 'Meant' to Go Pro—What We're Getting Wrong About Youth Sports
Your young athlete may have dreams of playing in college or going pro, but you also have to be realistic about those dreams. Here's how.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Enjoyed chance for a longform conversation with Dan Tudor, on his College Recruiting Weekly podcast, on youth sports! Featured research from recent @jssisport.bsky.social study on parents’ expectations for their children’s athletic achievements led by Chris McLeod. open.spotify.com/episode/3ILi...
open.spotify.com
Episode 219: Understanding the Mindset of the Parent of a Rising Athlete Prospect
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Great segment on the cost of youth sports by Haley Stum for North Texas TV! Nice to see expertise from @lindaflanauthor.bsky.social & @nsass.bsky.social PI featured. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTXt...
youtube.com
Haylie Stum The Cost of Youth Sports
YouTube video by Denton Community Television
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Appropriate to see @jgrabmeier.bsky.social ride off into the sunset, with final write-up going viral (at least on @barstoolsport.bsky.social twitter feed) & prominent mention in linked article. Research by Chris McLeod & Chris Knoester in @jssisport.bsky.social www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3559396...
barstoolsports.com
An Ohio State University Study Says That 27% of Parents Think it's Likely Their Child Will Become a College Scholarship Athlete
Ohio State News – Many children grow up dreaming – or maybe even expecting – that they will become a star in football, basketball or whatever their favorite sport may be.Most parents have more realist...
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WISH-TV @wishtv.com · 17/12/2025
University researchers found most American parents have realistic expectations about their child's athletic future, with only a small percentage believing their child will reach the professional or Olympic level.
wishtv.com
Study: 27% of sports parents believe their child will get a college scholarship
Study reveals that most American parents have realistic expectations about their child's athletic future, despite some optimistic outlooks.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
Appreciated seeing our work on the rise of private club and travel sports, published in @jssisport.bsky.social, being summarized and relied upon in Akron Beacon Journal op-ed about Name, Image, and Likeness rules for high school athletes. www.beaconjournal.com/story/opinio...
beaconjournal.com
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WKBN 27 First News @wkbn.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Ohio State study reveals pitfalls of parents' sports dreams for kids
wkbn.com
Ohio State study reveals pitfalls of parents’ sports dreams for kids
Parents of young athletes tend to have realistic expectations for their children’s athletic success, although a notable group still believes their child has a better-than-average shot at beco…
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Excellent story by Chris Francis at @san.com on the rise of private club and travel teams in the U.S., drawing from recent @nsass.bsky.social research by Chris Knoester and Chris Bjork, published in @jssisport.bsky.social, & interviews with the authors. san.com/cc/the-trave...
san.com
The ‘travel team trap’ that’s sapping parents’ time and bank accounts
A recent study found that participation in travel sports has increased over generations, and the industry is leaving many families behind.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Enjoyed speaking with Sarah Crosbie about our recently published @jssisport.bsky.social research, using Nat'l Sports & Society Survey, about parental expectations for their children’s athletic achievements, on CONNECT with Sarah Crosbie on QR 770AM in Calgary! open.spotify.com/episode/0Rj6...
open.spotify.com
Will my kid be a pro athlete?
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Columbus - Feeds @columbus.tomkahe.com.ap.brid.gy · 20/11/2025
Will my kid be a pro athlete? Study finds what parents think
news.osu.edu
Will my kid be a pro athlete? Study finds what parents think
Many children grow up dreaming – or maybe even expecting – that they will become a star in football, basketball or whatever their favorite sport may be.Most parents have more realistic expectations of their children’s future athletic achievement, a new study finds. But a substantial minority believe their kids will beat the odds and become...
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Some expectations very high!! Suggests need to nurture & support multiple potential pathways & prep to shift course, as apropros. Recognize long odds. But, enjoy pursuing dreams of various sorts! Concerns remain about people taking things too seriously or overinvesting in athletic pursuits, still.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Parents who were passionate sports fans & played college sports also more + about child’s chances of becoming elite athlete. In sum, seems child's athletic skills, child's athletic identities, & responses to racial dynamics in sports and society are prominent predictors of parents’ expectations.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Parents of Black/Hispanic, vs White, kids especially optimistic of child’s chances; also, those living in neighborhoods w/ more families of color, more +. SES (-) only linked to likelihood of playing pro/Olympic sports. Parents seemingly adjusted to child’s age (-), athletic abilities (+), id's (+).
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
34% said somewhat/very likely their child becomes college athlete, 27% said somewhat/very likely get athletic scholarship, & 17% thought somewhat/very likely child becomes pro or Olympic athlete. Still, impt that most parents don't think likely their child will achieve these athletic feats.
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NSASS @nsass.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
New research by Chris McLeod & Chris Knoester in @jssisport.bsky.social on parental expectations (n=785) for their child’s athletic achievements. First, we find much higher expectations for achievement than will translate into accomplishment, given sport achievement stats. doi.org/10.1177/0193...
doi.org
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
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