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

2. 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.

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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 % 2008 3941 2027 1914 48.6 % 2006 3547 2303 1244 35.2 %

6. Female Representation in Athletics Depts. Review of Literature Key Information Percentage of Female Athletics Directors by Division YearAllD ID IID III 2008 21.3 8.4 18.9 33.7 2006 18.6 9.3 17.8 26.6 Percentage of schools with a female head athletic trainer Year All D I D II D III 2008 27.3 15.2 28.0 36.8 2006 27.4 15.3 28.0 37.2

7. Female Representation in Athletics Depts. Review of Literature Key Information Percentage of schools with a female SID YearAllD ID IID III 2008 11.3 8.5 10.3 14.1 2006 12.1 9.3 10.5 15.3

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

9. 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)

10. 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-email Semi-structured interviews –35-45 minutes in length –Conducted via telephone & in person

11. 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:

12. 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

13. 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