Issues in Athletic Administration: A Content Analysis of Syllabi from Intercollegiate Athletics Graduate Courses

Masters of Sport: Graduate School Pathways of Aspiring Intercollegiate Athletics Professionals

“…Given the increasingly competitive field, many aspiring intercollegiate athletics practitioners see graduate degrees as a way of differentiating themselves from the competition (Savickas, 2005). In response to this, and the view of graduate education as a form of credentialing, the number of graduate-level programs focusing on sports, and intercollegiate athletics specifically, has increased nationwide (Comeaux et al, 2015;Weese, 2002). As there are now more, and more varied, graduate program choices available, aspiring practitioners need to make informed decisions about whether to pursue higher education, as well as in what format.…”

“…In response to the increasing complexity of sport at all levels, academic curricula from these programs have divided into sub-disciplines, such as kinesiology, recreation, and international sport (Ulrich & Parkhouse, 1982). Sport management programs have also taken a business-minded approach to sports, recognizing the need for leaders with a financial or management background, leading some programs to be housed in their university's graduate school of business (Center, 2011;Comeaux et al, 2015). While this evolving focus may serve leaders or managers in a general sport sense (e.g., recreational, professional), or those interested in the business side of college sports (e.g., fundraising, ticketing, sales), it may not serve those who work directly with studentathletes and may need training that addresses the unique complexities of intercollegiate athletics.…”

“…As traditional sport management programs tend to focus on the business side of sport, curricula often lack background on the role of athletics within higher education and the higher education system as a whole (Comeaux et al, 2015). This knowledge may be of particular interest to those aiming for support services or compliance positions; however, given recent criticisms and legal proceedings regarding the current collegiate model (see O'Bannon v. NCAA, 2014;Sperber, 2000), it seems that all aspiring intercollegiate athletics professionals would benefit from a foundation in higher education.…”

“…Today, intercollegiate athletics administration includes a diverse array of professionals working in areas such as marketing, compliance, fundraising, and academic support in addition to the more conventional roles of administrators and coaches (Weight & Zullo, 2015). While the traditional career trajectory of athletics administrators often included practical experience (e.g., as a coach, former student-athlete, or intern) and networking to enter the field (Mullin, 1980;Won, Bravo, & Lee, 2013), credentialing in the form of graduate education has gained considerable traction (Comeaux, Brown, & Sieben, 2015;Navarro, Haslerig, Bernhard, Houston, & Raphael, in press). Indeed, earning a graduate degree is a viable way of distinguishing one's self in a highly competitive job market such as intercollegiate athletics (Parks & Zanger, 1990;Savickas, 2005).…”

The Occupational Socialization of Athletic Administrators: A Content Analysis of Graduate Program Websites

“…These stakeholders-including athletic directors, compliance officers, financial and business officers, coaches, and practitioners who support athletes-require trustworthy, competent, forwardthinking, accountable leaders who can manage athletic departments' daily operations and support athletes without compromising the fundamental mission and values of the postsecondary institutions (Comeaux, 2013;Lumpkin, Stoll, & Beller, 2012). Indeed, given the increasing changes to the college athletics landscape, there is a need for specialized pre-career training for athletic administrators 1 -training that is generally acquired through graduate education (Comeaux, Brown, & Sieben, 2015;Navarro et al, 2016). As such, we must focus more squarely on athleticrelated graduate and professional programs in order to understand more clearly how they prepare and socialize athletic stakeholders for careers as athletic administrators.…”