A descriptive study of the career paths of NCAA Division 1-A and Division III athletic directors

Abstract

A descriptive study of 173 National Collegiate Athletic Association Divisions I-A and·III athletic directors was conducted to describe career paths. The subjects in the study included 47 Division I-A athletic direc- . tors and 126 Division III athletic directors. Each of the subjects completed the Athletic Director's Career Path Survey. Analysis of the collected data was descriptive. The results of this study indicated that Division I-A and Division III athletic directors share similar backgrounds and demographics and that the level of program they administer is relatively unaffected by professional development. Athletic directors at these two levels are predominantly white males, approximately 50 years of age, who had participated in high school athletics and played primarily football or basketball at the collegiate level. Further, the athletic directors completed undergraduate degrees in physical education and graduate degrees in physical education or educational administration. Additionally, the athletic directors had coached interscholastically and collegiately. Collegiately, the largest number had coached football.