Analyzing the High School Athletic Administrator Role: Pressing Issues Facing the Position
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17161/jas.v11i2.23630Abstract
In working to provide meaningful athletic programs that benefit student-athletes and other key stakeholders in the department (Grant, 2024; Martin et al., 2025), high school athletic administrators embrace substantial and wide-reaching responsibilities (Forsyth, 2024). As these demands continue to evolve (Fraina et al., 2021; Price et al., 2022), the role has become more complex and susceptible to negative experiences if not properly managed (Conant, 2017; Park and Curtner-Smith, 2018; Sullivan et al., 2014). Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the most prominent issues specific to the athletic administrator role and their perceived importance for effectively fulfilling the position. With the support of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA), a survey was distributed to its national membership, ultimately securing 680 responses. A total of seven athletic administrator issues were analyzed and each rated as important by participants. One issue in particular (i.e., AD Responsibilities) was viewed as extremely important, with two issues (i.e., Providing ADs the Proper Tools to Manage and Relationship with Administration) deemed to be of very high importance. To pursue deeper meaning into these results, four interviews were then conducted with athletic administrators. This study offers key insight for practicing high school athletic administrators to understand the pressing issues impacting the position and their influence on one’s ability to lead an athletic department.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Tyler J. Ratts, Eric W. Forsyth, Zachary C. T. Evans, James E. Johnson, Michael Fraina, Warren A. Whisenant
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