Term of Award

Spring 2008

Degree Name

Doctor of Education in Education Administration (Ed.D.)

Document Type and Release Option

Dissertation (open access)

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Department

Department of Leadership, Technology, and Human Development

Committee Chair

Tekleselassie, Abebayehu

Committee Member 1

Paul Brinson

Committee Member 2

Samuel B. Hardy, III

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to discover the relationship between principals' experiences and athletic directors' experiences related to selected athletic department tasks. The overarching research question was: To what extent do principals' responses and athletic directors' responses differ concerning athletic department tasks? This question was investigated by comparing the priority given to each task by the principals and the athletic directors; by evaluating the rank order of each task as given by each group; by contrasting the differences in the start date as indicated for each task by the principals and athletic directors; and by viewing, side-by-side, the number of days allocated for each task by each group. The population for this study was the principals and athletic directors of the 402 schools in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA). A purposive random sample of 100 principals and the athletic directors who work with those principals was selected from the GHSA member schools. A researcher created survey was mailed to the sample group. Analysis of the data showed a significant difference for two survey items in the area of priority: scheduling referees and creating eligibility lists. There was no significant difference between the responses for the amount of time allocated to the tasks. One cause for the lack of significance between the two sets of responses could be that 68% of the principals who participated in the study had coaching experience. Recommendations were made in the areas of practice, preparation, and potential studies. Concerning practice, principals might find the results of this study useful in evaluating and in mentoring athletic directors. Athletic directors, on the other hand, could use the findings to accomplish tasks on time and to train aspiring athletic directors. Principal preparation programs might do well to include exposure to the athletic program in school management courses. Principals and athletic directors from other regions of the country could be interviewed to see if any significant differences exist between their experiences. The Guide to Athletic Department Task Management was created from the responses given by the athletic directors.

Research Data and Supplementary Material

No

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