First-ever study of the culture of Harvard Athletics
A first-ever study of Harvard Athletics found that the majority of student-athletes consider their experience on teams to be formative, rewarding, and demanding, and they feel supported by coaches, teammates, and the athletics staff. It also revealed that many find it difficult to balance academics, athletics, and social lives. The study, released last Friday, was commissioned by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences to inform strategic planning for the department, as it approaches its centennial anniversary in 2026. A team of researchers from the organizational consulting firm Mercer studied the culture of athletics at Harvard and documented the experience of student-athletes and members of the department. Using various data-collection techniques, including interviews, surveys, and on-campus observations, researchers gathered feedback from students, coaches, staff, faculty, administrators, alumni, and fans from September 2019 through May 2020. “When reviewing the results emerging from the Mercer study, I was particularly struck by the voices of our...