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Dissertation
Division I Athletic Directors' Leadership Influence on Athletic Departments: A Multi-Site Case Study
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/ys6f-xt98
Abstract
The purpose of this multi-site case study was to explore the leadership practices of NCAA Division I athletic directors to better understand how their leadership approaches influence goal attainment at the institutions that they serve. This research sought to provide insights that may inform those responsible for the selection of effective athletic directors at Division I institutions. The findings of this research may also offer information for professionals seeking to become athletic directors in Division I institutions that will allow them to hone their leadership skills. The goal of this multi-site study was to create a holistic view of athletic director leadership by replicating data collection within the three different sites (Yin, 2014). The overarching research question that guided this study was, "What influence does a Division I athletic director's leadership have on the athletic department?" Subquestions that supported this research included: (a) How do Division I athletic directors describe their leadership practices? (b) How do Division I athletic department staff describe the athletic director's leadership approach and its effect on the work environment? (c) What are the best leadership practices of Division I athletic directors and how are they perceived to influence the outcomes of athletic programs? The conceptual framework that informed the current study consisted of three streams of theory, research, and practice: background of college athletics; development of the athletic director's role; and athletic director leadership. Findings that emerged from thick descriptions included that: (a) Successful Division I athletic directors have strong interpersonal skills and relate well with others. (b) Strong athletic director leadership requires the ability to identify, cultivate, develop and delegate to staff. (c) The athletic director's ability to create a vision in alignment with the university is significant. (d) The student athlete's experience is central to operational practices. (e) Athletic director abilities are aided through background and training experiences in management, as well as through working with and relating to others. All three sites within this study offered clear evidence that athletic director leadership is linked directly with the effectiveness of their athletic departments, and the skills cited in the study influence outcomes within their departments.
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Details
- Title
- Division I Athletic Directors' Leadership Influence on Athletic Departments
- Creators
- Morey Mossovitz - DU
- Contributors
- Kathy Dee Geller (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 9410; 991014632585304721