Date of Award

Spring 2024

Document Type

Thesis (Master's)

Department or Program

Master of Arts in Liberal Studies

First Advisor

Professor Regine Rosenthal

Second Advisor

Professor Donald Pease

Third Advisor

Professor Randall Balmer

Abstract

In the United States, the percentage of women in leadership positions is rising across nearly all professions, except for women in athletics. While Title IX dramatically increased the number of opportunities for female student-athletes, it was the catalyst behind female coaches' decline in sport. This study aims to explore published studies, current events, and case studies that examine the barriers women face when pursuing coaching as a full-time profession. The main obstacles studied include the unintended consequences of Title IX, current societal and sociological structures, the role of bias in the under-representation of women in leadership positions, the exorbitant cost and exclusivity associated with coaching certifications and professional development (specifically in soccer), and public expenditure (or lack thereof) on women’s sport and gender inequity among recipients of that public expenditure.

A systemic review of published studies conducted in this field indicates that while society may be on the verge of tearing down discriminatory hiring practices and bridging the gender gap in leadership across athletics, it is not quite there yet. The main objective of this research is to create awareness around the barriers and obstacles women face when pursuing a career in sports, as well as encourage female-supportive programming that will improve the experience of young female coaches as they navigate a male-dominated industry.

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