Does a Glass Ceiling Persist in Intercollegiate Athletics?

Examining the Career Paths of Athletic Administrators in NCAA-Member Institutions

“…In a comparison of the mean number of athletic administrators by sex, there were more male than female associate athletic directors in Divisions I and II and more male than female assistant athletic directors in the three divisions, which confirmed the findings of Acosta and Carpenter (2012) and Lumpkin et al (2014). Female athletic administrators in Division I were more likely to work in academics and compliance, while males were more likely to hold positions in media, facilities, and development.…”

“…Females' majors may have been associated with working in academic services or as coaches, while males' majors prepared them for jobs in sports information and media relations, supporting the conclusions of Lumpkin et al (2014). Females in Division II were more likely than males to have earned education, business, and J.D.…”

“…degrees, possibly because they directed academic services, served as a business manager, or worked in compliance respectively. Female administrators working primarily in academic services and compliance also was reported by Burton et al (2011), Hoffman (2011), Lough and Grappendorf (2007, Lumpkin et al (2014), andWhisenant et al (2002). Males in Division II were more likely to have earned their highest degrees in sport management and journalism than females.…”

“…They also reported these average numbers of female athletic administrators per institution: 1.78 in Division I, 1.24 in Division II, and 1.25 in Division III. Lumpkin et al (2014) found significant differences between the number of males and females in athletic administration, with males holding most positions. In Division I, males served as 79.1% of deputy or executive athletic directors, 67.8% of senior associate athletic directors, 69.3% of associate athletic directors, and 70.5% of assistant athletic directors.…”

“…In smaller institutions these administrators fulfill a plethora of responsibilities. However, at institutions with multimillion-dollar budgets, they work in highly specialized areas, such as facility and event management, with many employees reporting directly to them (Lumpkin, Dodd, & McPherson, 2014). Although college sports have grown into business enterprises, little is known about the overall educational backgrounds and career paths of the athletic administrators, exclusive of athletic directors, operating these programs in institutions competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).…”