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A comprehensive new study of gender representation in college athletics administration shows that despite significant industry growth, leadership roles remain largely inaccessible to women.
The white paper, published Wednesday as part of the Pipeline Project, a larger study that aims to advance gender equity in intercollegiate athletics, finds that while women occupy 44 percent of entry-level athletic administration positions, only 12 women are athletic directors across 130 colleges and universities in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, the highest level of competition.
Women who do work in collegiate athletics often tend to be concentrated in student and administrative support roles rather than revenue-generating or external-facing positions, such as fundraising and development, according to the study. Such positions are often perceived as critical background experience for advancing to higher leadership positions, the report notes.
The Pipeline Project argues that the disparities in athletic leadership roles are particularly worth noting in an era when college athletics departments are facing “unprecedented change.” As they expand to manage new name, image and likeness policies and conference realignment, the lack of women in decision-making positions will impact what perspectives shape the future of collegiate sports.
“Data suggests women may face barriers at critical career transition points, including advancing to management and leadership positions,” said Meg Hancock, associate professor of sport administration at the University of Louisville and head investigator of the Pipeline Project, in a news release. This research helps “identify specific points where interventions could create meaningful change, not just for women, but also in the development of innovative and creative leadership teams.”
