Excluded on the Sidelines: Latina/o/x Administrators in NCAA Division I Institutions

• In Event: Race, Equity, and Inclusion in K-12 and College Athletic Spaces

Abstract

Despite the NCAA’s stated commitment to diversity, Latina/o/x professionals remain significantly underrepresented in Division I athletic administration. Guided by Ray’s (2019) theory of racialized organizations, this study examines how Latina/o/x athletic administrators experience and navigate racialized structures within the NCAA. Using narrative inquiry, we conducted interviews with 10 Latina/o/x administrators to explore their career pathways, challenges, and identity formation in white-dominated athletic departments. Findings reveal how whiteness shapes professional norms, limits access to mentorship, and marginalizes Latina/o/x identity. Yet participants also found ways to affirm their cultural identity and support others. This study contributes to understanding systemic exclusion in college athletics and calls for structural changes to promote racial equity in athletic leadership.

Authors

• Guillermo Ortega, Texas Tech University

• Jon McNaughtan, Texas Tech University