Does Having “the Right Stuff” Matter? Gender Differences in the Determinants of Career Success Among Intercollegiate Athletic Administrators

The purpose of this study was to explore gender differences on the determinants of career success (i.e., career satisfaction and promotions) through the differential return hypothesis. Human capital and social capital were both hypothesized to have a greater influence on the men's career success than on the women's. A questionnaire was used to gather data from 213 (74 men, 139 women) NCAA Division I athletic administrators. Results suggest that social capital was more influential for men than for women in gaining promotions in administration. However, differential returns were not noted for the human capital determinants on either career success variables.