The role of the athletic director in fostering a culture of academic success (NCAA Division II)

Smith, Connor

Item

The role of the athletic director in fostering a culture of academic success (NCAA Division II)

Smith, Connor

Date

2022-12-12

Abstract

Previous research on college athletic directors usually entails a general overview of the complex role in leading athletics departments, coaches, and student-athletes, as well as various leadership styles, behaviors, and traits (Doherty & Danylchuk, 1996; Kent & Chelladurai, 2001; Yusof, 1998). Other literature introduces criticisms of college athletics and suggests underlying messages within athletics departments that have pushed student-athletes, athletics staff, and other primary athletics stakeholders towards a greater focus on athletics competition and performance at the expense of their academic futures (Jayakumar & Comeaux, 2016). Existing literature exposes a gap in research that looks specifically at the NCAA Division II athletics directors and their role in fostering and maintaining a culture of academic success. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the NCAA Division II athletics directors’ role in fostering a culture of academic success within their athletics department. To address this purpose, an original survey was sent to every NCAA Division II athletics director (N = 309) to assess their perceptions of their roles, responsibilities, and actions as it related to student-athlete academic success (NCAA, 2013a). Four research questions guided the research and findings showed that athletics directors believe several factors are important in influencing a culture of academic success and personally felt they had done a good or very good job in emphasizing these factors and collaborating with other campus and department leaders to foster a culture of academic success. Some findings showed differences in perceptions from public school NCAA Division II athletics directors and NCAA Division II private school athletics directors. Based on the findings, it will be important for NCAA Division II institutions to recognize how important it is that all departments and key stakeholders work together to support student-athletes. Furthermore, findings emphasize how important the role coaches play in fostering a culture of academic success and academic achievement. And lastly, it will be increasingly important for athletics directors to advocate for quality resources and tools to help student-athletes achieve academic success.