“It’s Like Being on an Island by Yourself”: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Administrators’ Perceptions of Barriers to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Work in Intercollegiate Athletics

in Journal of Sport Management

Click name to view affiliation

Yannick Kluch Center for Sport Leadership, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

Search for other papers by Yannick Kluch in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1916-2264 *
,
Raquel Wright-Mair College of Education, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, USA

Search for other papers by Raquel Wright-Mair in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Nicholas Swim College of Education and Human Development, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA

Search for other papers by Nicholas Swim in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
Robert Turick College of Health, School of Kinesiology, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, USA

Search for other papers by Robert Turick in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

The emergence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professionals (i.e., staff with DEI-specific responsibilities) is a fairly recent phenomenon, and research to date has rarely examined the experiences of these DEI administrators despite the fact they are often solely charged with driving DEI within and beyond their department. Utilizing Ahmed’s diversity work framework, this study draws from semistructured interviews with 23 athletic administrators to identify barriers to efforts for driving DEI action in the context of intercollegiate athletics. Five higher-order themes were identified in the data, representing barriers to effective DEI work: (a) structural barriers, (b) cultural barriers, (c) conceptual barriers, (d) emotional barriers, and (e) social/relational barriers. Findings indicate that DEI athletics professionals perceive barriers on multiple levels, from personal levels (emotional and social/relational barriers) to those of a systemic nature (structural, cultural, and conceptual barriers). Limitations, directions for future research, and implications for praxis are discussed.

Robert Turick is now with the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, IN, USA.

Kluch (ykluch@vcu.edu) is corresponding author, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1916-2264

  • Collapse
  • Expand
  • Agyemang, K., Berg, B.K., & Fuller, R.D. (2018). Disrupting the disruptor: Perceptions as institutional maintenance work at the 1968 Olympic Games. Journal of Sport Management, 32, 567580. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2017-0268

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Agyemang, K., & DeLorme, J. (2010). Examining the dearth of black head coaches at the NCAA football bowl subdivision level: A critical race theory and social dominance theory analysis. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 3, 3552.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ahmed, S. (2006). Doing diversity work in higher education in Australia. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 38(6), 745768. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-5812.2006.00228.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ahmed, S. (2007). The language of diversity. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 30(2), 235256. https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870601143927

  • Ahmed, S. (2012). On being included: Racism and diversity in institutional life. Duke University Press.

  • Anderson, D. (1993). Cultural diversity on campus: A look at intercollegiate football coaches. Journal of Sport & Social Issues, 17(1), 6166. https://doi.org/10.1177/019372359301700108

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ballesteros, J., & Tran, A.G.T.T. (2020). Under the face mask: Racial-ethnic minority student-athletes and mental health use. Journal of American College Health, 68(2), 169175. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2018.1536663

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Big Ten. (2021). ACC, Big ten, and Pac-12 announce historic alliance. Bigten.org. https://bigten.org/news/2021/8/24/general-acc-big-ten-and-pac-12-announce-historic-alliance.aspx

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Bimper, A.Y. (2015). Lifting the veil: Exploring colorblind racism in Black student athlete experiences. Journal of Sport & Social Issues, 39, 225243. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193723513520013

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Bishop-Monroe, R., Wingender, J.R., & Shimerda, W.A. (2021). Chief diversity officers measure diversity. Organizational Dynamics, 50(4), Article 100799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orgdyn.2020.100799

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Bopp, T., Goldsmith, A., & Walker, M.B. (2014). Commitment to diversity: The impact of diversity and inclusiveness on athletic department organizational attractiveness and job pursuit intention. Journal of Applied Sport Management, 6(4), 122. https://trace.tennessee.edu/jasm/vol6/iss4/6

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Bower, G.G., & Hums, M.A. (2013). The impact of title IX on career opportunities in intercollegiate athletic administration. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 6, 213230. https://doi.org/10.1123/jis.6.2.213

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Burton, L, Grappendorf, H, & Henderson, A. (2011). Perceptions of gender in athletic administration: Utilizing role congruity theory to examine (potential) prejudice against women. Journal of Sport Management, 25, 3645. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.25.1.36

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Comeaux, E. (Ed.). (2017). College athletes’ rights and well-being: Critical perspectives on policy and practice. Johns Hopkins University Press.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cooper, C.A., & Gerlach, J.D. (2019). Diversity management in action: Chief diversity officer adoption in America’s cities. State and Local Government Review, 51(2), 113121. https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323X19879735

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cooper, J.N., Newton, A.C.I., Klein, M., & Jolly, S. (2020). A call for culturally responsive transformational leadership in college sport: An anti-ism approach for achieving equity and inclusion. Frontiers in Sociology, 5, 65. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2020.00065

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cunningham, G.B. (2008). Creating and sustaining gender diversity in sport organizations. Sex Roles, 58, 136145. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-007-9312-3

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cunningham, G.B. (2009). Understanding the diversity-related change process: A field study. Journal of Sport Management, 23(4), 407428. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.23.4.407

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cunningham, G.B. (2010). Understanding the under-representation of African American coaches: A multilevel perspective. Sport Management Review, 13(4), 395406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2009.07.006

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cunningham, G.B. (2012). Occupational segregation of African Americans in athletic administration. Wake Forest Journal of Law & Policy, 2, 165178.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cunningham, G.B. (2015). Creating and sustaining workplace culture of LGBT employees in college athletics. Journal of Sport Management, 29(4), 426442. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2014-0135

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cunningham, G.B. (2019). Diversity and inclusion in sport organizations: A multilevel perspective. Routledge.

  • Dent, G. (2020). New designees set to champion diversity and inclusion. National Collegiate Athletic Association. http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/new-designees-set-champion-diversity-and-inclusion

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Edwards, R., & Holland, J. (2013). What is qualitative interviewing? Bloomsbury Academic.

  • Eitzen, D.S. (2016). Fair and foul: Beyond the myths and paradoxes of sport (5th ed.). Rowman & Littlefield.

  • Gioia, D.A., Corley, K.G., & Hamilton, A.L. (2013). Seeking qualitative rigor in inductive research: Notes on the Gioia methodology. Organizational Research Methods, 16(1), 1531. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428112452151

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Grappendorf, H., Pent, A., Burton, L., & Henderson, A. (2008). Gender role stereotyping: A qualitative analysis of Senior Woman Administrators’ perceptions regarding financial decision making. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 1, 2645.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Griffin, K.A., Hart, J.L., Worthington, R.L., Belay, K., & Yeung, J.G. (2019). Race-related activism: How do higher education diversity professionals respond? The Review of Higher Education, 43(2), 667696. http://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.2019.0114

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Hancock, M, & Hums, M. (2016). A “leaky-pipeline?” Factors affecting the career development of senior-level female administrators in NCAA division I athletic departments. Sport Management Review, 19, 198210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2015.04.004

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Harper, S.R., Williams, C.D., & Blackman, H.W. (2013). Black male student-athletes and racial inequities in NCAA Division I college sports. University of Pennsylvania Center for the Study of Race & Equity in Education.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Hawkins, B. (2010). The new plantation: Black athletes, college sports, and predominantly white institutions. Palgrave-MacMillan.

  • Hextrum, K. (2020). Segregation, innocence, and protection: The institutional conditions that maintain whiteness in college sports. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 13(4), 384395. https://doi.org/10.1037/dhe0000140

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Hoffman, J. (2010). The dilemma of the Senior Woman Administrator role in intercollegiate athletics. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 3, 5375.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Holmes, A.G.D. (2020). Researcher positionality—A consideration of its influence and place in qualitative research—A new researcher guide. Shanlax International Journal of Education, 8(4), 110. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v8i4.3232

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Jolly, S., Cooper, J.N., & Kluch, Y. (2021). Allyship as activism: Advancing social change in global sport through transformational allyship. European Journal for Sport and Society, 18(3), 229245. https://doi.org/10.1080/16138171.2021.1941615

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Katz, M., Walker, N.A., & Hindman, L.C. (2018). Gendered leadership networks in the NCAA: Analyzing affiliation networks of Senior Woman Administrators and athletic directors. Journal of Sport Management, 32(2), 135149. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2017-0306

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Keaton, A.C.I. (2021). The emergence of athletic diversity and inclusion officer positions in Division I collegiate athletics. Journal of Higher Education Athletics and Innovation, 1(8), 82112. https://doi.org/10.15763/issn.2376-5267.2020.1.8.82-112

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Khilji, S.E. (2020). Doing DEI work: The experiences of DEI practitioners. Medium. https://shaistakhilji.medium.com/doing-dei-work-the-experiences-of-dei-practitioners-1df710dd8e4b

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • King, C.R. (2005). Cautionary notes on whiteness and sport studies. Sociology of Sport Journal, 22, 397408. https://doi.org/10.1123/ssj.22.3.397

  • Knoppers, A., Spaaij, R., & Claringbould, I. (2021). Discursive resistance to gender diversity in sport governance: Sport as a unique field? International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 13(3), 517529. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2021.1915848

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kroshus, E., & Davoren, A.K. (2016). Mental health and substance use of sexual minority college athletes. Journal of American College Health, 64, 371379. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2016.1158179

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2009). Interviews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing (2nd ed.). Sage.

  • Kwoh, K. (2012). Firms hail new chiefs (of diversity). Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203899504577129261732884578

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Lapchick, R. (2020). The 2020 racial and gender report card. The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport. https://43530132-36e9-4f52-811a-182c7a91933b.filesusr.com/ugd/8af738_3b5d1b6bdb10457ebe8d46cc5a2fcfd0.pdf

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Leon, R.A. (2014). The chief diversity officer: An examination of CDO models and strategies. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 7(2), 7791. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035586

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Levitt, H.M., Bamberg, M., Creswell, J.W., Frost, D.M., Josselson, R., & Suárez-Orozco, C. (2018). Journal article reporting standards for qualitative primary, qualitative meta-analytic, and mixed methods research in psychology: The APA Publications and Communications Board task force report. American Psychologist, 73(1), 2646. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000151

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • McDowell, J., & Carter-Francique, A. (2017). An intersectional analysis of the workplace experiences of African American female athletic directors. Sex Roles, 77, 393408. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-016-0730-y

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • McDowell, J., & Cunningham, G.B. (2009). Personal, social, and organizations factors that influence black female athletic administrators’ identity negotiation. Quest, 61(2), 202222. https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2009.10483611

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • McInnis, T. (2020). A farewell letter to DEI work. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2020/08/20/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-offices-cant-be-effective-if-they-arent-empowered

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Miles, M.B., & Huberman, A.M. (1984). Drawing valid meaning from qualitative data: Toward a shared craft. Educational Researcher, 13(5), 2030. https://doi.org/10.2307/1174243

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Nixon, M.L. (2017). Experiences of women of color university chief diversity officers. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 10(4), 301317. https://doi.org/10.1037/dhe0000043

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Noble, H., & Heale, R. (2019). Triangulation in research, with examples. Evidence-Based Nursing, 22, 6768. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2019-103145

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ortega, G., Taylor, Z.W., & Childs, J. (2022). What are we saying by saying so little? Mission statements, diversity mission statements, and NCAA programs. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 15(3), 392400. https://doi.org/10.1037/dhe0000299

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Pastore, D.L. (1991). Male and female coaches of women’s athletic teams: Reasons for entering and leaving the profession. Journal of Sport Management, 5(2), 128143. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.5.2.128

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Patton, M.Q. (2002). Two decades of developments in qualitative inquiry: A personal, experiential perspective. Qualitative Social Work, 1(3), 261283. https://doi.org/10.1177/1473325002001003636

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Pilot, D.F., & Beck, C.T. (2014). Essentials of nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing practice. Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Rockhill, C.A., Howe, J.E., & Agyemang, K.J. (2021). Statements versus reality: How multiple stakeholders perpetuate racial inequality in intercollegiate athletic leadership. International Journal of Sport Communication, 14(3), 398427. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.2021-0003

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Sagas, M., & Cunningham, G.B. (2004). Does having “the right stuff” matter? Gender differences in the determinants of career success among intercollegiate athletic administrators. Sex Roles, 50(5), 411421. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:SERS.0000018895.68011.fa

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Shaw, S., & Leberman, S. (2015). Using the kaleidoscope career model to analyze female CEOs’ experiences in sport organizations. Gender in Management, 30(6), 500515. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-12-2014-0108

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Shi, W., Pathak, S., Song, L.J., & Hoskisson, R.E. (2018). The adoption of chief diversity officers among S&P 500 firms: Institutional, resource dependence, and upper echelons accounts. Human Resource Management, 57(1), 8396. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.21837

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Singer, J.N., & Cunningham, G.B. (2012). A case study of the diversity culture of an American university athletic department: Implications for educational stakeholders. Sport, Education and Society, 17, 647669. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2011.552572

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Smith, A., Taylor, E.A., Siegele, J., & Hardin, R. (2020). At a crossroads: The Senior Woman Administrator designation. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 13(1), 119144. https://doi.org/10.17161/jis.v13i1.11972

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Smith, D.G. (2009). Diversity’s promise for higher education: Making it work. Johns Hopkins University Press.

  • Spaaij, R., Knoppers, A., & Jeanes, R. (2020). “We want more diversity but … ”: Resisting diversity in recreational sports clubs. Sport Management Review, 23(3), 363373. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2019.05.007

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Spaaij, R., Magee, J., Gorman, S., Jeanes, R., Lusher, D., & Storr, R. (2018). Diversity work in community sport organizations: Commitment, resistance and institutional change. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 53(3), 278295. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1012690216654296

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Stanley, C.A. (2014). The chief diversity officer: An examination of CDO models and strategies. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 7(2), 101108. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0036662

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Storr, R., Jeanes, R., Rossi, T., & lisahunter. (2021). Are we there yet? (Illusions of) inclusion in sport for LGBT+ communities in Australia. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 57(1), 92111. https://doi.org/10.1177/10126902211014037

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Strauss, A.M., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research. Sage.

  • Swim, N., Turick, R., Kluch, Y., & Wright-Mair, R. (in press). Navigating the intersection of COVID-19 and (re)new(ed) calls for racial justice: A qualitative examination of the experiences of diversity, equity, and inclusion professionals in college athletics during a year of “social justice awakening.” Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 5, 65.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Taylor, E.A., & Hardin, R. (2016). Female NCAA division I athletic directors: Experiences and challenges. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 24, 1425. https://doi.org/10.1123/wspaj.2014-0038

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Taylor, E.A., Huml, M.R., & Dixon, M.A. (2019). Workaholism in sport: A mediated model of work–family conflict and burnout. Journal of Sport Management, 33(4), 249260. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2018-0248

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Taylor, E.A., & Wells, J.E. (2017). Institutionalized barriers and supports for female athletic directors: A multilevel perspective. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 10, 157183. https://doi.org/10.1123/jis.2016-0041

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Tiell, B., & Dixon, M.A. (2008). Roles and tasks of the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) in intercollegiate athletics: A role congruity perspective. Journal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education, 2, 339361.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Tiell, B.S., Dixon, M.A., & Lin, Y. (2012). Roles and tasks of the Senior Woman Administrator in role congruity theory perspective: A longitudinal progress report. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 5, 247268.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Walker, N.A., Schaeperkoetter, C., & Darvin, L. (2017). Institutionalized practices in sport leadership. In L.J. Burton & S. Leberman (Eds.), Women in sport leadership (pp. 3346). Routledge.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Ward, R.E. (2015). Buried accomplishments: Institutional isomorphism in college athletics mission statements. International Journal of Sport Communication, 8(1), 1845. https://doi.org/10.1123/IJSC.2014-0018

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Weight, E.A., Taylor, E., Huml, M.R., & Dixon, M.A. (2021). Working in the sport industry: A classification of human capital archetypes. Journal of Sport Management, 35(4), 364378. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2020-0070

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Wells, J.E., Sartore-Baldwin, M., Walker, N.A., & Gray, C.E. (2021). Stigma consciousness and work outcomes of Senior Woman Administrators: The role of workplace incivility. Journal of Sport Management, 35(1), 6980. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2019-0422

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Williams, D.A., & Wade-Golden, K.C. (2013). The chief diversity officer: Strategy, structure, and change management. Stylus Publishing, LLC.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Wilson, J.L. (2013). Emerging trend: The chief diversity officer phenomenon within higher education. The Journal of Negro Education, 82(4), 433445. https://doi.org/10.7709/jnegroeducation.82.4.0433

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Wright-Mair, R., Kluch, Y., Turick, R., & Swim, N. (2021). Driving inclusive excellence in athletics: High-impact practices among NCAA athletics diversity, equity, and inclusion professionals. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 14, 599625.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Yanow, D., & Schwartz-Shea, P. (2006). Interpretation and method: Empirical research methods and the interpretive turn. M.E. Sharp.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 2805 2122 175
Full Text Views 383 317 32
PDF Downloads 585 462 45