“Alternative Success Theory”: An examination of what athletics department success means for small colleges

Abstract

The primary purpose of this dissertation is to gain a deep understanding of the small college athletics environment by (1) measuring the fit of small college athletics departments into their respective institutions and into Division III athletics and (2) understanding how the small college athletics department operates in a manner for the institution as a whole to remain competitive in the proverbial higher education marketplace. In-depth interviews were conducted with NCAA Division III Athletics Directors, campus administrators (e.g., President, Provost, Vice President for Enrollment Management), and Faculty Athletics Representatives to better understand how university and athletics administrators define athletics program success at small colleges. In all, 33 interviews were conducted across 11 different Division III institutions where student-athletes comprise 20% or more of the student body. A three-pronged theoretical approach (Agency Theory, Value Responsibility Budgeting, and Strategic Contingency Theory) is utilized to develop an “Alternative Success Theory” to better understand the complex small college athletics environment. Practical and theoretical implications for small-school Athletics Directors, university administrators, and NCAA officials are discussed.