Closing the gender gap for female leaders in intercollegiate athletic administration

Abstract

Within NCAA Division I athletic departments, female leaders are the clear minority, only 15% of athletic directors are women and only 33% of associate athletic directors are women. This paper explores and answers the question, why aren’t more women in leadership positions within intercollegiate athletic administration? Through interviews, research, and synthesis, three major barriers for women in college athletics are identified. 1: stereotypes and biases on the leadership capabilities of women in athletics, 2: the current male domination of leadership and hiring power, 3: maternity leave and gendered familial responsibilities. The framework of the NCAA and its institutions lay the responsibility of acknowledging and addressing the gender demographic gap to the individual institutions. The findings of this paper result in three recommendations to these Division I institutions. 1: gender inclusivity education and initiatives for athletic departments, 2: establishment of gender equitable hiring practices, 3: engagement of women's networks within athletic administration. Division I athletic departments need to intentionally implement gender equality practices to increase female leadership representation within intercollegiate athletic administration.