Females Serving as the Head Coach of Competitive Elite Male Sports
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Sport Management
Institution
Morehead State University
KY House District #
(CD2)
KY Senate District #
(CD2)
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Steve Chen
Department
Marketing and Management
Abstract
Student-athletes’ Perceptions of females serving as the head coach of competitive elite male sports
Recent coaching employment of Becky Hammon and Kathryn Smith in the NBA and NFL inspires the discussion of the potential of witnessing the first female head coach hired in men’s professional basketball and football. Despite the presence of female leaders in many business and political realms, there still seems to be lack of gender equality in the employment of female administrators and coaches in the male dominant sports. This study investigate how women were perceived as an ideal head coach candidate in a male dominant sports based on 132 student-athletes’ responses (70 males and 62 females). An exploratory factor analysis was performed to address four areas of responses: (1) confidence in female coaches’ competency, (2) preferential level of female coaches, (3) female coaches’ unique trait and strength, and (4) actual opportunities that females receive. In general, the respondents moderately agree that females have the adequate abilities and knowledge as male coaches do to handle the coaching tasks; however, they still don’t feel very comfortable about having a female as their head coach. In agreement with several findings, the research found that male athletes are more likely to show disrespect toward female coaches, and question their desire to win. Additional constructive strategies were provided to support future females overcoming the perceived barriers for becoming a head coach, and improve existing hiring practices.
Females Serving as the Head Coach of Competitive Elite Male Sports
Student-athletes’ Perceptions of females serving as the head coach of competitive elite male sports
Recent coaching employment of Becky Hammon and Kathryn Smith in the NBA and NFL inspires the discussion of the potential of witnessing the first female head coach hired in men’s professional basketball and football. Despite the presence of female leaders in many business and political realms, there still seems to be lack of gender equality in the employment of female administrators and coaches in the male dominant sports. This study investigate how women were perceived as an ideal head coach candidate in a male dominant sports based on 132 student-athletes’ responses (70 males and 62 females). An exploratory factor analysis was performed to address four areas of responses: (1) confidence in female coaches’ competency, (2) preferential level of female coaches, (3) female coaches’ unique trait and strength, and (4) actual opportunities that females receive. In general, the respondents moderately agree that females have the adequate abilities and knowledge as male coaches do to handle the coaching tasks; however, they still don’t feel very comfortable about having a female as their head coach. In agreement with several findings, the research found that male athletes are more likely to show disrespect toward female coaches, and question their desire to win. Additional constructive strategies were provided to support future females overcoming the perceived barriers for becoming a head coach, and improve existing hiring practices.