ERIC Number: ED524553
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 231
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: ISBN-978-1-1244-2997-7
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
How Did They Get Here, and Why Do They Stay? A Phenomenological Study of Female Athletics Directors at Selected NCAA Division III Member Institutions
Parrott, Molly Elizabeth
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Iowa State University
This qualitative study focused on the educational, professional, and personal experiences of seven women who currently serve as NCAA Division III athletics directors. While previous literature has examined the experiences of women in Divisions I and II, very little has focused specifically on those in Division III, even though more women serve as athletics directors in this division (Acosta & Carpenter, 2010). Using phenomenology as the methodological roadmap, participants were purposefully selected from Midwestern, small, coeducational, traditional residential colleges, where the quintessential Division III experience exists. Participating athletics directors took part in a series of three semi-structured interviews, which served as the primary data source. Data were analyzed and coded, and then themes were organized into three areas: (1) experiences leading up to the attainment of athletics director positions; (2) experiences related to their current positions; and (3) the convergence of their personal and professional lives. While the participants typically served as administrators prior to becoming athletics directors, their coaching experiences have been especially vital to their current positions. Their positions require frequent and diverse interactions with others, including those within their athletics departments, various constituencies on campus, and outside their institutions. Unlike previous literature, this study revealed participating Division III female athletics directors have experienced very few gender-related challenges in their careers. The participants care deeply about college athletics, are energized by interactions with student-athletes and coaches, and value the Division III philosophy. Despite the extended and irregular hours their positions require, they try to maintain work/life balance; however, some are more successful than others. They employ various tactics when balancing the people in their lives with their demanding careers. The findings of the study have implications for various constituencies, including aspiring and current intercollegiate athletics administrators, coaches, and institution administrators. Recommendations for future research include exploring the experiences of male and female Division III athletics directors, and considering factors such as public and private institutions, men's, women's, and co-educational colleges, geographic regions, and enrollment. Furthermore, continued exploration of work/life balance within the field of intercollegiate athletics would be valuable, specifically the experiences of female administrators, coaches, and other staff. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Career Development, College Athletics, Interviews, Phenomenology, Women Administrators, Work Environment, Administrator Characteristics, Athletic Coaches, Gender Issues
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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