predictive validity limits its use for selection decisions. Because the AMI includes coachability and conscience development
scales, it may be more appropriate for use within the field of athletics. Research needs to be conducted to assess the ability of
the instrument to differentiate between successful and unsuccessful athletes.
As we have seen, prior athletic performance is a powerful predictor of athletic success. It is important to develop a means
for quantification of an individual’s prior performance in order to make appropriate selection decisions. Many coaches will have
already identified the physical KSA’s they consider to be most important in recruits. However, mechanical approaches for
selection decisions that make use of quantified data are more effective than judgmental approaches in identifying those individual
with the necessary KSA’s to succeed. Development of a weighted application blank that measures these abilities would result in
an increase in the reliability of selection decisions. Of course, this would need to be empirically validated before it could be
used. Reviewing coach’s records of prior recruits may provide most of this information thus facilitating the validation process.
In summary, it appears that a selection program that takes into account psychological variables, biographical data and prior
performance would be both a valid and reliable predictor of athletic success. Singer (1988) supports this notion recommending
that psychological tests not be used as the only basis for determining team membership. This information can be useful in
understanding athletes and their potential strength’s and limitations. A battery of composite tests is recommended that measures
skill level, tactical knowledge, morphology, body composition, physical condition and attributes, and psychological attributes.
Quantification of these constructs would be necessary in order to make a decision. Validation of the process would be an
important final step in the development of a selection program for the field of athletics.
Conclusions
Because the field of athletics has become so competitive, it has become increasingly important to make appropriate
selection decisions in order to be successful. This paper has demonstrated the importance of considering psychological
variables, prior performance and physiological data in selection decisions. Although Morgan’s 1980 research had short-term
prediction as its goal, it demonstrated the power of a program that takes into account all three of these variables. One can only
speculate that in the future, the attention that is given to sports will continue to grow. The pressure to succeed will leave many
athletic directors and general managers looking for any edge that they can gain over their competition. One way of doing this will
be to make accurate selection decisions. Therefore, researchers in the field should attempt to validate a selection process
outlines in this paper which include psychological, physiological and prior performance data.
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