BEYOND THE PAC-12: CONFERENCE REALIGNMENT AND THE BURDEN OF TRAVEL ON DIVISION 1 ATHLETES

Abstract

This thesis uses game-specific data from NCAA Division 1 competitions across various sports and conferences to examine the impact of travel on performance, with a particular focus on the PAC-12 conference realignment. While previous research has largely focused on travel effects in select men’s sports, often at the professional level, this thesis takes a highly innovative approach by analyzing a broader spectrum of collegiate athletics across both sexes. I find that travel significantly impacts performance, though the extent and nature of this effect varies by sport. As conferences continue to expand and longer travel becomes more frequent, gaining a deeper understanding of how these factors affect student-athletes and teams will become increasingly important for universities to comprehend and address.