An Examination of Division III Small-College Athletics: President and Commissioner Influence and Change in Athletic Philosophy

• In Event: Context for Innovation in Athletics: Policy-Relevant Research for Intercollegiate Programs and Leadership

Abstract

At the 2008 NCAA Convention, member institutions of Division III were presented with the possibility of sub-dividing into a fourth grouping. Institutions were forced to evaluate athletics in their current state and assess its viability going forward in the increasingly complex landscape of higher education administration. Through detailed interviews this research investigates the changing policies and practices of the athletic culture at two small, Coed, Liberal Arts colleges and their governing conference in order to gain a greater understanding of what is being done to preserve the mission of the NCAA and of higher education in general. The overall lack of information pertaining to the subject and growing speculation about the future of these small colleges has prompted further inquiry.

Authors

• Kyle Waterstone

• Eric M. Snyder, University of Oklahoma