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....

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...

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-...

"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).

Interesting reflection on our latest National Sports and Society Survey study, on religion, gender, and sports gambling. casinobeats.com/2026/05/07/o...

Nice summary of our new religion, gender, & sports gambling @nsass.bsky.social study by @ekcaldwell.bsky.social! news.osu.edu/having-a-rel...

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....

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.

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

@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...

@nsass.bsky.social research in the news: appreciated the engagement and commentary. www.parents.com/17-percent-o...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

Ohio State study reveals pitfalls of parents' sports dreams for kids

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...

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...

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...

Excellent @jonsolomon35.bsky.social writeup of @aspeninstitute.bsky.social Project Play research on family commitments to youth sports! (appreciated the integration of @nsass.bsky.social research on generational changes from Knoester & Bjork in piece) projectplay.org/news/project...

More kids are leaving youth sports than ever before-between 60 & 70 percent drop out before adulthood. Dawn Anderson-Butcher & Chris Knoester explain why so many kids are quitting, what the data reveals & how new approaches can help keep their heads & hearts in the game. www.osu.edu/impact/now-a...

Great to speak with Sarah Crosbie about our recently published @jssisport.bsky.social research on the rise of private club and travel sports, on CONNECT with Sarah Crosbie on QR 770AM in Calgary! open.spotify.com/episode/52Wd...

Surge in Private Clubs and Travel Teams Transforms Youth Sports Dynamics In recent decades, the landscape of youth sports in the United States has undergone a profound transformation, marked notably by the explosive growth of private club and travel teams. A groundbreaking study published in the…

New NSASS research in @jssisport.bsky.social by Chris Knoester & Chris Bjork. Shows increases in private club & travel sports part across generations, family SES differences, & links to family & community sport cultures as well as the duration of youth sport commitments. doi.org/10.1177/0193...

Religious attendance linked to greater support for youth tackle football, study finds

Chris Knoester & Chris Bjork were on All Sides with Amy Jurevich, talking about their recent NSASS study on youth sports parenting. Bjork also discussed his book: More Than Just a Game: How the Youth Sports Industry Is Changing the Way We Parent and What to Do About It www.wosu.org/show/all-sid...

Modern-day parents are spending more time, money and resources on their kids’ sports activities than moms and dads from previous generations, new research shows. www.healthday.com/health-news/...

Appreciated the excellent write-up by @jgrabmeier.bsky.social of NSASS research by Chris Knoester & Chris Bjork. Evidence of increases in parental involvement in youth sports, across generations, & relevance of family SES, sports cultures, & youth sport commitments. news.osu.edu/parents-spen...

Impressive job done by high schoolers Rossy Soto, Grace Wang and Amaya Manzano, in their journalistic preparation and writing on youth sports! The @YouthcastMGrp program seemed to offer a wonderful opportunity and fantastic mentoring. www.youthcastmediagroup.org/post/competi...

Nice to speak w/ the great @pbump.com for his analysis of youth sport connections to trans athlete attitudes in @washingtonpost.com. Appreciated use of NSASS & related research by Chris Knoester, Chris Bjork, Kirsten Hextrum & James Tompsett. Also, Project Play work. @tandfresearch.bsky.social

New NSASS study by Chris Knoester & Chris Bjork in Leisure/Loisir. Analyzes reports of parents’ involvement in youth sports, across generations. Based on US adults' recollections of parents' attendance, (other) support, & (family) expenditures @tandfresearch.bsky.social doi.org/10.1080/1492...

"When you’re eating a ham sandwich on the soccer sidelines at 3 p.m., is it time to reevaluate your life? Don’t the Sports Gods know that people work?" Youth sports and parenting analysis, drawing on NSASS, by Kara Baskin in @bostonglobe.com www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/23/l...

New NSASS research, in Sociology of Sport Journal, by Laura Upenieks, Joanne Ford-Robertson, & Chris Knoester. Does religiosity result in risk aversion, like w/ substance use, & less support for kids playing football? Or, might it enhance support for kids playing football? doi.org/10.1123/ssj....

Great to speak w/ David Cooper abt racial integration in sports & society on @lastshow.bsky.social. Based on NSASS work, "Sociology professor Chris Knoester explains that Americans overwhelmingly believe sports promote racial integration – but reality is more complex" www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2zA...

As we wrap up the Spring semester, a few NSASS updates: a) Congratulations to Emily Nothnagle for receiving a ’25-’26 SSI Graduate Student Research Grant! She will use NSASS data to continue to study sport, violence, and mental health relationships. sportsandsociety.osu.edu/news/sports-...

Study finds Americans overwhelmingly believe sports promote racial integration—but reality is more complex

New NSASS research out regarding beliefs about sports & racial integration, with some consideration of personal sports-related racially integrated experiences, too. Study by Mariah Warner & Chris Knoester from Ohio State Sociology, now out in Sociology of Sport Journal: doi.org/10.1123/ssj....

What’s ahead for transgender women and girls competing in women’s sports Dr. Kirsten Hextrum, assistant professor in the School of Language, Culture, and Society, untangles what recent rulings mean for transgender student athletes Read more: liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/slcs/what%E2...

Neat to see NSASS research by Laura Upenieks, Brendan Ryan, & Chris Knoester featured in the most valuable & influential public-facing annual report on youth sports from Project Play! Study: doi.org/10.1123/ssj.... @jonsolomon35.bsky.social @aspeninstitute.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/jons...

New NSASS research on sports-related mistreatment over the life course, by Mariah Warner & Chris Knoester, now out in Int’l J of the Soc of Leisure, OA. Nearly 40% of US adult respondents (n=3849) reported ever being mistreated in their sports interactions, such as via.. doi.org/10.1007/s419...

“The researchers found that respondents who viewed female athletes as less deserving of attention, support, and media coverage were more likely to oppose transgender inclusion in sports.”

Trans people comprise a scant portion of athletes, at all levels, but the drive to bar them from participating in competitive sports has never been about numbers, Louisa Thomas writes.

Nice to contribute some basic sociological thinking, evident in & built on NSASS-linked research theorizing & analyses, of “Ohio against the World” along w/ historical & social media analyses presented. Fun & interesting prep for the CFP championship game tonight... www.dispatch.com/story/entert...

A recent study found opposition to transgender athletes' inclusion in sports was more common among those with weaker interest in supporting, promoting, and watching female athletes. #TransgenderRights #WomenInSports #LGBTQIA #EqualityInSports #TransAthletes

1st 2025 NSASS pub out in SSJ. Chris Knoester & Kirsten Hextrum further consider support for trans* athlete rights in 2018-19 & what “saving women’s sports” might mean. Find that wanting to support/promote/watch female athletes + associated w/ supporting trans* athlete rights doi.org/10.1123/ssj....

New Year, new data! Exciting to continue 2018-19 NSASS data analyses & implement w/ CHRR Wave 2 Initial & Phase 2 Pilots that: a) re-interview orig. respondents & b) draw in new respondents as we seek to enact full NSASS W2—and ideally more! Prior work/attention documented: x.com/NSASS2017 nsass.org