Pioneering the Game: Visionary Leadership in Higher Education Athletics and Athletes’ Sport Engagement

This study investigates the correlation between visionary leadership practices and athletes' engagement in higher education sports, focusing on five core dimensions: Inspiring Vision, Strategic Thinking, Innovation and Creativity, Team Empowerment, and Adaptability and Resilience. Data were collected from athletes participating in various sports at five universities in China. Results indicate that athletes positively evaluated visionary leadership across all dimensions, with "Inspiring Vision" receiving the highest ratings. Engagement in sports was found to be highly correlated with strong leadership practices, particularly in areas like Clear Vision, Individualized Development, and Coach-Athlete Relationships. No significant differences in leadership evaluations were found when considering demographic variables like sex and academic program. This research underscores the importance of visionary leadership in enhancing student-athletes' involvement and success in higher education athletics.