A survey to determine the number of African American employees in athletic positions in the Big Eight, Big Ten, Pacific Ten, Southeastern and Southwestern Athletic Conferences

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: It was believed that African Americans are under-represented in many administration positions in society. Although the number of African Americans who hold administrative positions has increased, the number is still low. African American athletes hold a high percentage of the team rosters in a great majority of collegiate level athletic teams. However, they have very few role models of their own ethnic minority to lead them and guide them through their educational and athletic journey. This led us to believe that African Americans hold a very low percentage of the athletic administration positions in Division I level institutions.PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the number of African Americans in athletic administration positions in five division I athletic conference institutions. SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this study will provide useful information to athletic programs and the NCAA about the number of African Americans located at five division I institutions andwhat specific positions they hold. The findings also show what role model positions African Americans are in and in what positions they are under-represented. METHODS: Certain conferences were purposely selected to participate in this study. They were members of 5 division I conferences in the NCAA which included the Big Eight, Big Ten, Pacific Ten, Southeastern, and Southwestern.The instrument was a survey questionnaire designed to solicit information to tell more about the number of African Americans in athletic administration positions.A cover letter was designed that explained the purpose of the study, how the institutions were chosen, and who the results will help. The cover letter and the questionnaire were forwarded to each institution that fell under the listed conferences in the study. Each package was enclosed with a self-addressed stamped envelope to be returned back to the researcher within ten days after the receipt of the questionnaire.Each conference was given a color code. That is, each questionnaire, depending onwhat conference it was forwarded to, was a different color. Therefore, 5 different coloredquestionnaires were distributed. A questionnaire was sent to the Affirmative Action office, aswell as the Athletic Director of each institution. The same color code was used for eachdepartment. However, a black number appearing in the upper left hand corner meant that thequestionnaire was returned from the Affirmative Action office while a red number appearingin the upper left hand corner meant that it was returned from the Athletic Director. This colorcoding system made it easy for the separation of the questionnaires and the analysis of the data.Two weeks after the deadline for the return of the questionnaires, a follow-up letter wassent to the institutions that had not returned the instrument. The data were evaluated andanalyzed within their conferences and then compared to the other conferences. Then all statisticswere combined to find an overall view of the representation of minorities in the five conferences.