Date of Award
12-2010
Culminating Project Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Sports Management: M.S.
Department
Kinesiology
College
School of Health and Human Services
First Advisor
Lori Ulferts
Second Advisor
Dave Bacharach
Keywords and Subject Headings
Female Coaches, Female Athletics, North Dakota, National Trends, Sports Management
Abstract
PROBLEM:
The purpose of this study was to determine whether female coaches of female sports in North Dakota are facing the same downturn in employment as on the national scale, and if so to examine the issues leading to this situation. Specific attention is maid to the four external and four internal barriers identified nationally as leading to a decline in women coaches.
Surveys were distributed to all female coaches of female sports who have coached in North Dakota within the last ten years. The goal of the survey was to evaluate their awareness of the problem and to compare the barriers they see themselves facing to those identified at the national level.
FINDINGS:
The number of female coaches in North Dakota, in both Class A and Class B, has declined since the inception of Title IX. North Dakota female coaches face many of the same barriers as other female coaches across the country, specifically with regards to family commitments and increased time constraints. Lack of administrative support appears to be an issue specific to North Dakota coaches.
Recommended Citation
Mayer, Brett M., "The Diminishing Role of Women Coaches in Female Athletics: North Dakota as Compared to National Trends" (2010). Culminating Projects in Kinesiology. 21.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/pess_etds/21
Comments/Acknowledgements
I always joked that I grew up in the locker room, but more aptly I grew up on the track. My mother competed in high school and was the first Title IX class to compete at NDSU. She coached varsity track for over 30 years and allowed me to follow along at will. I met countless female role models through the years, women who persevered, women who had dreams and chased them, women who were fiercely competitive and loving mothers all at the same time. I knew from these experiences that I could be and do whatever I wanted if I simply put forth the effort and never gave up. For these lessons I am extremely grateful. I dedicate this research to my mom and all the female coaches I have known who have given their all for love of the sport and the empowerment it gives women young and old.