Does a Glass Ceiling Persist in Intercollegiate Athletics?

Abstract

Females hold approximately one-third, rather than an equitable amount, of intercollegiate athletic administrative positions suggesting persistence of an attitudinal or organizational bias impeding career advancement, or a glass ceiling. To examine whether a glass ceiling persists in intercollegiate athletics, genders of senior athletic administrators and individuals responsible for academics, finance, compliance, facility and event management, fund raising, licensing, marketing, media relations, ticket operations, and athletic training were identified from the 1012 NCAA-member institutions. Significantly more males hold athletic director, associate athletic director, and assistant athletic director positions in all three NCAA divisions, with a much higher percentage of females serving as athletic directors in institutions without football teams. Significantly more males are responsible for facility and event management, media relations, and marketing across all NCAA divisions, while females were disproportionately found in academics (significant differences for Divisions I and II) and compliance (significant difference for Division I).

Keywords:

• intercollegiate athletics
• female athletic administrators
• glass ceiling

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Angela Lumpkin

Angela Lumpkin is a professor in the Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences at the University of Kansas. She previously served as a university dean, department chair, program director, and coach. She is the author of 23 books, has published over 60 refereed manuscripts, and delivered nearly 200 professional presentations.

Regan K. Dodd

Regan Dodd is an assistant professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Missouri Western State University. Prior to earning her doctorate at the University of Kansas, she coached men’s and women’s tennis at a small liberal arts university.

Lacole McPherson

Lacole McPherson is an assistant professor of Sport and Recreation Management in the Business Department at the University of Minnesota Crookston.