1. Ms. Stephanie McCullick and Dr. Paul Milton Ashland University, Department of Recreational Services and Department of Sport Sciences, 401 College Ave., Ashland, OH Research Method The 1999 and 2008 NIRSA Directory was used to find research results. The institutions that were entered into the study had to be posted in the Directory in both years. Several institutions from 1999 were eliminated from the study, as well as, several from 2008 were eliminated. A ten year comparison was implemented. The Study included a total of 28 four -year and community colleges. Research Measurement The Chi-Square Test of Homogeneity Description: Nonparametric statistic, therefore less restrictive about assumptions of data set. It is most often used to analyze nominal data. It measures whether there is a statistical difference between the observed frequency of occurrence and the theoretical or expected frequency of occurrence. All data is analyzed at α ≤.05. Purpose of Study Add to Body of Knowledge Little Research Exists Student Engagement Real World Work Experience Further support for Recreational Sports Introduction This research study is a Gender-based study of the hiring for administrative positions. It is a commonly held belief that there is an appropriate balance of males and females working in administrative positions in recreational sports in the state of Ohio. This study has considered the hiring of employees, based on gender, over several years in a variety of institutional settings, and has reported its findings. Institutions Included in Study: University of Akron, Ashland University, Baldwin-Wallace College, Bowling Green State University, Case Western Reserve University, Cedarville University, University of Cincinnati, Cleveland State University, University of Dayton, Denison University, University of Findlay, Hiram College, John Carroll University, Kent State University (Kent), Marietta College, Miami University (Oxford), Oberlin College, Ohio Northern University, The Ohio State University, Ohio University (Athens), University of Toledo, Wright State University, Xavier University (Cincinnati), Youngstown State University, Jefferson Community College (Steubenville), Lorain County Community College, North Central State College/Ohio State University (Mansfield), and Sinclair Community College. Research Questions Results: Public Institutions Overall YearTotal MalesTotal Females 1999 63 (63.0%) 37 (37.0%) 2008103 (59.9%) 69 (40.1%) Results No difference was found to exist between the number of men who held administrative positions in recreational sports at public institutions of higher education in Ohio in 1999 vs. 2008 and the number of women who held administrative positions at public institutions of higher education in recreational sports in Ohio during the same years. χ2 = 0.14, df = 1,p ≤.05, n.s. Private Institutions Overall YearTotal MalesTotal Females 1999 26 (68.4%) 12 (31.6%) 200817 (54.8%) 14 (45.2%) Results No difference was found to exist between the number of men who held administrative positions in recreational sports at private institutions of higher education in Ohio in 1999 vs. 2008 and the number of women who held administrative positions at private institutions of higher education in recreational sports in Ohio during the same years. χ2 = 0.83, df = 1,p ≤.05, n.s. Institutions with a Stand Alone Facility YearTotal MalesTotal Females 1999 40 (58.0%) 29 (42.0%) 2008107 (58.8%) 75 (41.2%) Results No difference was found to exist between the number of men who held administrative positions in recreational sports at Ohio institutions of higher education with stand- alone recreation facilities in 1999 vs. 2008 and the number of women who held administrative positions in recreational sports at Ohio institutions of higher education with stand- alone recreation facilities during the same years. χ2 = 0.00, df=1,p ≤.05, n.s. Institutions with Shared Facilities YearTotal MalesTotal Females 1999 50 (71.4%) 20 (28.6%) 200813 (61.9%) 8 (38.1%) Results No difference was found to exist between the number of men who held administrative positions in recreational sports at Ohio institutions of higher education with shared recreation facilities in 1999 vs. 2008 and the number of women who held administrative positions in recreational sports at Ohio institutions of higher education with shared recreation facilities during the same years. χ2 = 0.313, df=1, p ≤.05, n.s. Public Institutions with Stand Alone Facilities YearTotal MalesTotal Females 1999 40 (58.0%) 29 (42.0%) 200899 (59.3%) 68 (40.7%) Results No difference was found to exist between the number of men who held administrative positions in recreational sports at Ohio institutions of higher education with stand- alone recreation facilities in 1999 vs. 2008 and the number of women who held administrative positions in recreational sports at Ohio institutions of higher education with stand- alone recreation facilities during the same years. χ2 = 0.00, p ≤.05, ns. Public Institutions with Shared Facilities YearTotal MalesTotal Females 1999 23 (74.2%) 8 (25.8%) 2008 4 (80.0%) 1 (20.0%) Results No difference was found to exist between the number of men who held administrative positions in recreational sports at Ohio institutions of higher education with shared recreation facilities in 1999 vs. 2008 and the number of women who held administrative positions in recreational sports at Ohio institutions of higher education with shared recreation facilities during the same years. χ2 = 0.03, p ≤.05, ns. Overall Gender in Ohio YearTotal MalesTotal Females 1999 89 (64.5%) 49 (35.5%) 2008120 (59.1%) 83 (40.9%) Results No difference was found to exist between the number of men who held administrative positions in recreational sports in Ohio in 1999 vs. 2008 and the number of women who held administrative positions in recreational sports in Ohio during the same years. χ2 = 0.79, p ≤.05, ns. Charlotte, NC April 1-4, 2009 Gender Equity: Does it Really Exist in Employment in Recreational Sports Positions in Ohio? Limitations All usual limits on study of this nature -limited ability to generalize -chi-square stat -does not get at cause, or the why issues Implications Adds to value of Recreational Sports Empirical vs. anecdotal evidence Application of resources Data driven decision-making Conduct similar study in other programs Reporting/journals/ grants/ funding Charlotte, NC April 1-4, 2009 Charlotte, NC April 1-4, 2009