Diversity and leadership within athletic academic departments at NCAA Division I institutions

The present study examined the relationship between the gender and race of NCAA Division I athletic academic advisors, leadership positions in the field of athletic academic support, and previous experience as a collegiate athlete. The researchers distributed an online questionnaire to members of the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals. (N4A). The results indicated that director positions within athletic academic support units were significantly related to gender, but assistant/associate athletic director positions were not. In addition, minority athletic academic advisors were more likely to have competed in collegiate athletics compared to their white colleagues. These findings indicate that previous experience as a collegiate athlete may be an implied job expectation for minorities hoping to work in athletic academic departments.