Female Employees’ Perceptions of Employment Trends in Intercollegiate Athletics Programs Michael J. Diacin, Gi-Yong Koo, & Seung-Yup Lim University of Tennessee

Female Representation in Athletics Depts. Introduction Statement of Purpose The purpose of this study was to gain insight from female intercollegiate athletics department employees into cultural and structural factors leading to representation patterns among females within various positions and operating units in intercollegiate athletics departments.

Female Representation in Athletics Depts. Introduction Why this study? –Desire to blend interests in sport sociology & management Women’s experience of sport and leisure management is shaped by both cultural and structural factors (Aitchison, 2005) Why college athletics departments as sites of inquiry? Sport traditionally considered “male domain” (Shaw &Hoeber, 2003) Female employees considered “outsiders” in a traditionally “natural” male environment (Whisenant, Pedersen, & Obdenour, 2002)

Female Representation in Athletics Depts. Introduction Cultural Factors include: Social constructions of gender –“Male” and “Female” more than biological characteristic What is “appropriate” for men and women in: –Sport participation –Employment in sport organizations Structural factors include: –Responsibilities associated with the position and profession

Female Representation in Athletics Depts. Review of Literature Key Information Acosta & Carpenter (2008) –Women in Intercollegiate Sport: A longitudinal, national study, 31 year update Administrative Jobs in College Athletics YearTotalMaleFemaleFemale % % %

Female Representation in Athletics Depts. Review of Literature Key Information Percentage of Female Athletics Directors by Division YearAllD ID IID III Percentage of schools with a female head athletic trainer Year All D I D II D III

Female Representation in Athletics Depts. Review of Literature Key Information Percentage of schools with a female SID YearAllD ID IID III

Female Representation in Athletics Depts. Conceptual Framework Shaping of Representation Patterns StructuralCultural

Female Representation in Athletics Depts. Method Description of Participants 12 participants at three institutions with “big-time” athletics programs Employed in various administrative levels (A.D., Associate A.D., Coordinator, Director) Employed in various operating units (General Mgmt., Academic Affairs, Compliance, Training, Operations) Differing lengths of service time (some 20+ years; others <5)

Female Representation in Athletics Depts. Method Data Collection Measures Purposeful sampling strategy –Participants are employed in an athletic department Initial contact made via written letter Follow up contact via- Semi-structured interviews –35-45 minutes in length –Conducted via telephone & in person

Female Representation in Athletics Depts. Findings Current State of the Profession The “culture” of intercollegiate athletics departments continue to evolve; resulting in improvement for female employees with regards to: –Access –Promotion –Job task significance The culture is becoming more “gender blind;” however, the structure may continue to be influenced by:

Female Representation in Athletics Depts. Findings Cultural Factors Social constructions of gender upon role fulfillment –Some jobs more “appropriate” (e.g., advising & compliance) –“Taking care of the kids” –“Fits the nature of women” Consequence: Potential for “typecasting” –Resulting in lack of advancement to top positions

Female Representation in Athletics Depts. Findings Structural Factors Promotion of old coaches to administrative positions Remnants of the “old boys club” still in place Other factors relating to underrepresentation Work-family conflicts –Extended hours –Frequent Travel