A Feminist Analysis of the Penn State University Sex Scandal

Don Sabo — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0700

The exposure of sexual violence and scandal at Penn State University has pushed many university officials to review their sexual harassment prevention policies. Historically, it was the Second Wave feminist movements of the 1970s that raised awareness about sexual harassment in the workplace and pushed for legislation and legal recourse. Feminist theory also helps explain some of the perplexing events at Penn State University.

Potential Gender Equity Problems with Identical Budget Allocations

Christine Grant — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 18:27:21 -0600

There appears to be a growing tendency for athletic directors to allocate identical budgets to like sports e.g. men’s and women’s tennis teams or golf teams etc. At first blush, this may seem to be an admirable practice because when an institution does not offer football, this approach may result in full compliance with Title IX in the treatment of student-athletes.

The Budgeting Process: Three Common Mistakes

Connee Zotos — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0600

When done right, annual budgeting is a time consuming process that significantly impacts the strategic direction of the athletics department. A well conceived budget serves as a dynamic planning tool that matches resources with objectives and priorities. It also provides a basis for controlling department activities and measures the efficient or inefficient use of department funds. As a consultant, I have noticed three common practices that have compromised the benefits that can be derived from efficient budgeting procedures.

Men’s Sport Privilege: Flying under the Radar

Don Sabo — Sun, 22 May 2011 15:13:23 -0600

Across the United States, school districts face dwindling state aid, increased costs, and layoffs. Voters are deciding on hard-times budgets and school administrators are making do with fewer resources. As the recession and slow economic recovery play out in American schools and communities, a new wave of gender inequalities has emerged. One sociological tenet contends that in times of economic hardship social inequalities tend to grow more marked rather than diminish.

A “Tiering” Caution on Different Treatment of Male and Female Student-Athletes

Christine Grant — Tue, 10 May 2011 04:56:43 -0600

At some institutions, sports have been officially tiered i.e. supported and treated in significantly different fashions. When this occurs, it is important to realize that to select an equal number of men’s and women’s sports to be in the top tier will NOT be in compliance with Title IX if one of these sports is football. For example:
TIER I
Men’s Sports #S-As Women’s Sports #S-As

The Abuse of Roster Management

Donna A. Lopiano — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:45:36 -0600

In the late 1990s, many colleges and universities implemented a practice that became known as “roster management.” In order to avoid cutting men’s teams, the schools cut the number of male participants who would be allowed on existing teams to minimum levels. Often, football and men’s basketball did not have these roster limits imposed. By placing maximum squad size limits on men’s teams and subsequently reducing the number of male athletes, institutions simultaneously increased the percentage (but not number) of female athletes in their programs.

Sports Injury and the Pain Principle – Time for Reform

Don Sabo — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 09:35:48 -0700

Adages that evoke the pain principle in sport include “No pain, no gain,” “Push yourself to the limit,”“Sacrifice your body,” “Suck it up,” “Perform in spite of pain,” or “Work through the pain.” Toughness is considered a prerequisite for success in sport and young athletes are often encouraged to “pay the price for victory.” Major league baseball manager Sparky Anderson reportedly explained to a player, “Pain don’t hurt.” In western culture sport has long been equated to masculinity (McKay, Messner & Sabo, 2000). The denial of pain in sport was seen as a masculine attribute, an earmark of toughness and masculine adequacy.

IN MEMORY OF DR. BOB FREDERICK - A Spirit Deeply Missed

Christine Grant — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:00:00 -0600

On Friday, 12th June the intercollegiate athletic world lost one of the most respected athletic directors and human beings in the nation. Bob Frederick died after suffering a tragic bicycling accident on the previous day. There will be many tributes to Bob from across the country for he was an excellent athletics director, a leader in many key positions in the NCAA & a wonderful teacher. But we at Sports Management Resources (SMR) wish to honor him, not for his accomplishments, which were many, but for the values by which he lived.

“Not one Dime Back” – Jim Calhoun, the Knight Commission and the Arms Race

Connee Zotos — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:00:00 -0600

It seems like everyone that saw, heard or read about Jim Calhoun’s response to the reporter who asked him about the magnitude of his salary given the economic climate had an opinion about it. Some agreed or disagreed with the tenor of Coach Calhoun’s response but the interesting part was that many people provided alternative answers.

Falling Behind in Racial and Gender Hiring Practices

Bob Frederick — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:00:00 -0600

The most recent Racial and Gender Report Card (February 18, 2009) released by the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport shows intercollegiate athletics slipping backwards from previous reports in the hiring practices of African-Americans and women in leadership positions.

“This report documents not only a lack of overall progress in college sport but a decline in both racial and gender hiring practices in key positions,” said Richard Lapchick, director of the institute located at the University of Central Florida.

Football Bowl Subdivision Athletics Budgets Increase at Alarming Rate

Christine Grant — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:00:00 -0700

From the Financial Reports issued by the NCAA it is clear that the athletic budgets of men’s basketball and football at many institutions in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) are increasing at an alarming rate. For example, the 2006 budget showed a 14% increase for men’s sports over the 2005 budget, while the budget for women’s sports indicated only a 6% increase. Men's football and basketball now consume 78% of men's athletics operating budgets.

Support Staff: Valued Colleagues or Indentured Servants?

Connee Zotos — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 23:00:00 -0700

A few months ago, I read a wonderful press release featuring an administrative assistant at a BCS school who was being inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame. She had worked for several different athletics directors during decades of service and was highly revered by those around her. I was particularly interested in this story for two reasons.

Confused about the NCAA’s Stand on College FB Fantasy Games?

Bob Frederick — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:00:00 -0600

Are you confused about NCAA’s various statements about CBS Sports.com’s college football fantasy game? Join the crowd of people concerned about the future of intercollegiate athletics.

Hoping Risk Management Is On Your Mind

Bob Frederick — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0600

The hot days of late July turning to even hotter August days signals the beginning of another academic sports year with the start of fall sport practices. In most regions of the country the high temperatures are accompanied by high humidity which means the risk of heat related injuries and death in all of the outdoor fall sports, but especially in football with its heavy pads and equipment complicating matters. Athletics directors at all levels need to continually assess the risks of every phase of their programs and have a comprehensive risk management program in place. Heat related accidents are but one of a multitude of issues that need to covered in the plan.

Using the Value-Added Approach to Market Your Athletics Program

Connee Zotos — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0600

As professionals in the educational sport environment, we witness the value of the athletics experience every day. Utilizing sport to develop student-athletes as capable, resilient and self-confident people is something we engage in on a daily basis. However, sometimes we forget that constituents outside of our domain may not have the opportunity or the inclination to view and/or understand the personal development that takes place in an educational sports environment; especially if they have never participated in sports activities.

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