Necessary Abilities in Athletic Administrators

Some professional organizations list the abilities necessary in athletic administrators. These include an understanding of:

• The role of athletics in education and our society and the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the various governing bodies
  
• Sound business procedures as related to athletic administration
  
• Administrative problems as related to athletic equipment and supplies administration problems related to facilities, both indoor and outdoor
  
  
  
• School law and liability
  
• The factors involved in the conduct of athletic events
  
• Good public relations techniques
  
• Staff relationships
  
• The health aspects of athletics
  
• The psychological and sociological aspects of sports
  

Often important personality qualities include:

• Leadership
  
• A sincere interest in young people and their development
  
• A sense of humor
  
• Even temperament
  
• Optimism
  
• A sense of justice and impartiality
  
• Integrity and solidarity
  

Some ADs at all levels enter their profession with college level training in sports management; most, however, are products of physical education administration programs. Montclair State University in New Jersey offers such a graduate program. Students may concentrate on teaching and administration of physical education, coaching and sports administration, or exercise sciences. They take courses in "Administration and supervision of athletics and coaching," "Applied sport psychology," "Orientation to sports medicine," and others. College programs vary, including some with similar titles. For example, the sports administration specialty in the physical education master's program at Indiana State University has more of a public relations emphasis. It involves an internship and requires two elective courses outside the program. It does include the courses "Public relations in physical education and athletics," "Physical education and the law", and "Social psychological aspects of sports." Exciting, cutting edge courses such as those at MSU and ISU make an important contribution to future administrators.

Park and Recreation Managers

Another specialty within sports administration worthy of consideration is park and recreation management. Arkansas Tech University explains its undergraduate programs:

• Recreation Administration-prepares students to work in community agency settings and commercial recreation business. Programming and people management are major areas of expertise
  
• Park Administration-prepares students to manage large resource areas and visitor facilities. Planning and management aspects of land and water are taught, with private and public recreation and park system as targeted work careers.
  

Both of these fine programs feature a wide array of courses and an internship.

A specialty in this area can be obtained in colleges at the graduate level. For example, the University of Rhode Island, within the Master of Science in Physical Education program offers a specialty in Sports and Recreation Management and Recreation Education. Students pursue course work in "Current issues in physical education, health, and recreation operations", "Sports and recreation," "Principles of recreation leadership," and others.

Sports management is fun, and it's growing, but it also is hard. Not sure if it's for you. Do what Gil Roman did. He served as the part time business manager for athletics at Jersey City State College while completing his degree in business. All sports programs have business managers. For some, the job is mainly bookkeeping, collecting, and paying the bills. For others, a wider variety of duties are performed by a considerable staff. Regardless, it's a good way to break into the field and/or assess the situation.