The Absence of Color in Athletic Administration: Black.

Revision with unchanged content. In 2002, an NCAA report showed that out of 2015 senior-level athletic administrative positions, 1837 were held by Whites, 132 were held by Blacks, and 46 were held by other minorities. The report excluded administrators at Historically Black Colleges & Universities. The 2004 version of the same report showed a slight increase (150 from 132). The author found five possible attributable factors: Stereotypical beliefs; Discriminatory acts; Racist attitudes; Old boys’ network; and Positional segregation. The results showed that stereotypical beliefs, discriminatory acts, and racist attitudes were no longer primary factors limiting Blacks from entering the athletic administration profession or advancing in the profession, although still relevant, they were not deemed applicable to the overall concern of the lack of color in senior-level athletic administrative positions at Division I institutions. The old boys’ network and positional segregation were two factors that participants perceived had a significant impact in limiting Blacks from entering the athletic administration profession and advancing, but participants also cited the lack of mentoring as a significant factor.

has been employed in college athletics for 10 years. She is currently a consultant for college athletics departments. She received her B.A. from the University of Southern Mississippi, M.Ed. from Northwestern State University of Louisiana, and Ed.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. She is 32 years old and resides in Mississippi.