WOMEN ATHLETES AND ENTREPRENEURS
AN EXPLORATORY, COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN WOMEN BARREL RACERS AND WOMEN WHO OWN THEIR OWN BUSINESSES.
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Introduction to the Problem Entrepreneurship continues to interest the general public due to downsizing of corporate businesses (Teal & Carroll, 1999 & Birley, 1989) and lack of long-term security. Additional findings state that individuals who decide to practice this way of life are going against the norms of society. This remains a factor of concern in regards to women. People remain in a psychic prison (Morgan, 1997) when it comes to women in sports and entrepreneurship since the passing of laws for women’s rights in the 1970’s. Increasingly, entrepreneurial studies presume business and sports are intertwined and these skills and talents can be transferred to the boardroom. Authoritative researchers conclude entrepreneurship is fulfilling a passion and the professional athlete is utilizing his or her skills and talents to pursue the entrepreneurship road. They are combining what they do best with the entrepreneur prospective in exchange for a paycheck. It is stated that this particular entrepreneurship is part of the entertainment sector. The sport’s industry is huge and rodeo is currently a big player in this field. Barrel racing is a female dominated event in professional rodeo. During this research, it was found that cowgirls are the first female athletes. Robinson (1999) found that cowgirls started pursuing the rodeo trail in the late 1800’s to utilize their skills and talents acquired on the ranches. A few impediments, according to history literature, tried to prevent these women from pursuing their venture but they stood firm. Today, cowgirls do have women’s rodeos (Women’s Professional Rodeo Association) where they participate in a variety of events such as bull riding, bronc riding, roping, and more. Furthermore, they are still allowed to compete with the cowboys in professional rodeos, such as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) but it is not the norm, (P. Roberts, personal communication, July 23, 2007). There are and have been women participating in the bronc riding, bull riding, and team roping events.
The cowgirl represents a World Athlete Entrepreneur and she has helped barrel racing to become an industry in itself. Today, while they experience social criticisms, World Athlete Entrepreneurs are accused of not displaying the appropriate entrepreneurship skills. It appears to be a misunderstood environment to society but the barrel racing industry gives the impression to have an opportunity for success if one conducts her business career correctly. Could the misunderstood appearance be caused by the lack of research? Literature documents the entrepreneurial levels and motives of sport athletes, mostly targeting males. If rodeo cowboys are proven to be entrepreneurs by a 1999 study conducted by Pearson and Haney, what is the difference of a barrel-racing cowgirl? The purpose of this study is to compare and contrast Woman Barrel Racers with Women Business Entrepreneurs and determine if there are similarities between women who race and women who have their own businesses. Background Cowgirls started competing with men in rough stock events in the late 1800’s. Studies and literature show successful entrepreneurial motives and performances. During the off-season, they worked second, related jobs as current business entrepreneurs are capable of doing according to literature discussing entrepreneur practices (Robinson, 1999). Robinson affirms that these first female athlete activities were more lucrative than many dentists, schoolteachers, and other business professionals in that era.
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About the Book
Sports athletes are connected to business entrepreneurship due to the relationships of business strategies, psychological, and motivational characteristics according to authoritative research. Barrel racing has become a limitless opportunity for success becoming the second favorite event in the rodeo. However, the barrel-racing cowgirl faces criticisms, perhaps, due to a psychic prison that society continues to live from the lack of knowledge of this type of culture. It is debated this industry is not an efficient entrepreneurship endeavor. However, the woman barrel racer is a sports athlete who participates in her own activity to obtain capital, self-actualization, and achievement. It is further acknowledged she is responsible for her own financial resources to pay for business expenses in order to continue the venture. Cowboys have been studied and confirmed to be entrepreneurs so why would women barrel racers be different? The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast Women Barrel Racers (also referred as World Athlete Entrepreneurs) with Women Business Entrepreneurs and determine if there is an association between women who race and women who have their own businesses. The main areas of concern were business strategies, psychological traits, and motivational characteristics. This study also investigated the Birth Theory and the Only or Eldest Daughter Syndrome. Finally, barriers experienced by World Athlete Entrepreneurs and Women Business Entrepreneurs were analyzed.
About the Author
Melissa L. Greer, Ph.D. holds a Doctorate degree in Organization & Management specializing in Information Technology from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN and a Master's degree in Business Administration. She has taught college level courses in business and computers.
She started barrel racing at the age of nine and it is her passion for horses and the barrel racing industry that led her to utilize her education in the promotion and business awareness of barrel racing competition and productions.
She currently owns and produces Florida Equine Athlete, a magazine for the barrel racers in the state of Florida, which provides story articles of different barrel racing events; informational and educational articles; calendar of events; and statistical information such as results, standings, and money winnings of many of the organizations held within the state. Dr. Greer is now producing the magazine into video broadcasts.
She also produces her own polebending and barrel racing organization and videos competitior's runs which are placed on DVD. It is a tremendous help for barrel racers in their training and/or to have for their video library.
Dr. Greer is currently working on additional books and is in the process of organizing seminars for women athletes to educate them on how to treat their sport as a business and utilize sponsorships.
Melissa was raised and continues to live in Florida. She had to take a three year break from competition so she could complete her Ph.D. studies and concentrate on business. In the meantime, she had to retire her horse that she competed on for sixteen years due to a leg injury and is currently starting another in barrel racing competition.