Competencies Paramount to NCAA Athletic Administrators

 



     Certain competencies are required of successful athletic administrators at the NCAA level. Common core abilities, such as decision-making, communicating, and setting goals for the program are absolutes, but what additional skills are sought after? Case & Branch ¹ conducted a survey revealing “the top 3 are significantly ranked above the rest: prepares and defends a budget proposal, maintains effective communications with staff, and demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills” (pg. 30).

     NCAA athletic administrators must be experts in creating and managing revenue and costs. Hodge & Tanlu ² report, “Being an effective leader in intercollegiate athletics requires an understanding of how to acquire, analyze, and use financial information to make informed decisions.” (pg. 17). In order to run an efficient program, administrative staff members must systematically have a chain of command when making financial decisions within the department. This idea requires all staff members, from subordinates to the head athletic director, to provide financial planning insight. An athletic administrator’s mindset should always be focused on mastery of different means of communication as well as resourceful budgeting skills.     

References

¹ Case, R., & Branch, J.D. (2003). A study to examine the job competencies of sport facility managers. International Sports Journal, 7(2), 25-38.

    ² Hodge, F., & Tanlu, L. (2009). Finances and college athletics. New Directions for                                                        Institutional Research, 2009(144), 7-18.