A Multiple Case Study Comparison of Roles of NCAA Athletic Directors at the Division I, II, and III Levels and Student Athlete Success

• Main Author: Harding, Allen D., Jr.
• Language: EN
• Published: Northcentral University 2016
• Subjects: Sports Management
• Online Access: http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10124230

<p> The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has Division I, Division II, and Division III athletic levels, and the role responsible for the athletic programs at Division I, II, and III colleges and universities are the Athletic Directors (ADs). The title of ADs is the same at all three levels, but research shows that the job description of the ADs at all three levels remains different. From the number of programs offered to the amount of tuition a student athlete is allowed to receive, there are many differences that the AD must be cognizant of because these stipulations can have an impact on the success of the student-athletes. Research on roles and job descriptions of the ADs at all three levels has been limited in regards to providing pertinent information. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to compare the roles of the ADs at the Division I, Division II, and Division III level of the NCAA and the effects on student athletes. This study included a minimum of 10 ADs from an eastern state in the U.S. who are engaged in the daily programs and procedures of an athletic department within the past year. Through interviews, ADs were interviewed to gain further insight on how the various levels of the NCAA structure effect the ADs and student athlete experiences and the effect on the school sports programs. In addition, curriculum writers for institutions will need to understand the differences of the athletic directors&rsquo; role at each level and adjust their coursework accordingly. School administrators and the NCAA need to understand the differences in the roles of the athletic director at each level and the potential impact these roles will have upon the success of student athletes that attend the schools that correspond to the three levels of NCAA competition.</p>