Examining Administrator and Coach Perceptions of Value Systems in NCAA Division I Athletic Departments Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics Meeting Coyte G. Cooper & Erianne A. Weight

Summary of Presentation Statement of the Problem Purpose of Study Significance of Core Values Data Collection Results Implications Conclusions/Questions

Statement of Problem Presence of “arms race” in intercollegiate athletics Conference realignment, multi-billion dollar television deals, and star amateur athletes dominate headlines (Knight Commission, 2010; Sack, 2009) Escalating commercialism as product of administrative reward system Dualism in value system in Division I athletics Integrating into higher education – paramount SA experience “Arms race” and lavish spending for national exposure and perceived financial rewards

Influence of Environment Purpose of Study Purpose: To explore the priority level of core values from two viewpoints to gain an understanding of the value systems that exist within NCAA Division I athletic departments: Administrators’ perceptions of critical values in department Coaches’ perceptions of critical values in department Influence of Environment Importance of Values

Significance of Core Values Provide meaningful direction for organization (Abreu et al., 2009; Collin & Porras, 2000) Shared guiding principles that are “essential and enduring elements” of effective organization (Collin & Porras, 1996) Congruency is key to realize critical benefits of enhanced efficiency and motivated employees Athletic department specific: Athletic organism morphed into divided system (Cooper & Weight, 2011)

Data Collection Creation of online “Core Values” survey Assess key values portrayed in mission statements Broke values into two specific categories Developed definitions for each value on instrument Invested in validity review process Panel of experts (Four senior AD’s, two profs, and one statistician) Review definitions and make suggestions for final scale Distribution to D-I athletic departments Targeted head AD’s and coaches (other administrators included)

Results (Organizational Values - Administrator)

Results (Aspirational Values - Administrator)

Variations in Organizational Values

Variations in Aspirational Values

Contradictions Between Values & Practice? Administrator Narratives (n=178): No contradictions exist (55%) Tensions exist, but values supersede (10%) Culture is in a process of transformation (6%) Systemic contradictions exist (29%) Financial gains often prioritized over values (27%) Winning often prioritized over values by coaches and some administrators (16%)

Contradictions Between Values & Practice? Coaches (n=1005): No contradictions exist (54%) Tensions exist, but values supersede (4%) Systemic contradictions exist (41%) Overall administrator hypocrisy (29%) Variation in standards between sports (22%) Lack of financial support to facilitate value-achievement (12%) Winning prioritized over values (8%) Little care for coaches & staff (6%) Other (20%) No values – no contradictions (1%)

Conclusions In an era where intercollegiate athletics morals are continually being contested it is critical to understand the values driving decisions. Evidence of sound ideals and practices Evidence of inconsistency between stated values and entrenched practices At minimum: poor leadership and lack of value culturization At extreme: clear administrator hypocrisy and outright patronization of the public and internal stakeholders.

Conclusions It is imperative for internal and external stakeholders of intercollegiate athletics to demand values-driven leadership based on education-centered ethos. This model exists within a majority of respondent schools. The benefits of value-culturalization (e.g. increased morale, productivity, and decision making) were evident in these schools.

The tremendous opportunity for good within intercollegiate athletics… “College athletics have a bad reputation right now…and the media show[s] all the negatives. There is not a contradiction within my athletic department between values and practice. My administrators and leaders have the best interest of the student-athletes in mind and are doing their best to make value-driven decisions that are morally right” -FBS-AQ Female Assistant Coach

Contact Information Coyte Cooper Email: cgcooper@email.unc.edu Phone: 360.593.1351 Twitter handle: @coytecooper Erianne Weight Email: eweight@email.unc.edu Phone: 919.448.4870 Twitter handle: @erianneweight