Across the United States, there are over 1,200 colleges with athletic departments that belong to the聽聽(NCAA). Additionally, there are over 19,000 high school athletic departments that belong to the聽. In Connecticut alone, more than 1,100 schools belong to the聽聽What do these schools all have in common? They require the work of an athletic director.
What is an Athletic Director?
An athletic director oversees athletic programs at the university or college level. Some athletic directors oversee the athletic programs of high schools or middle schools, instead. While an athletic director does not work directly with students, they supervise the programming of a school鈥檚 athletic activities and the day-to-day running of a school鈥檚 athletic department.
What Does an Athletic Director Do?
Athletic directors manage the administrative and financial responsibilities associated with a school鈥檚 athletics department. This can entail hiring and firing coaches and teachers, supervising coaches, fund-raising, ordering athletic equipment, and setting departmental budgets. Athletic directors schedule team games as well as practice sessions. They鈥檙e also in charge of handling any public relations associated with the school鈥檚 athletic program. Additionally, athletic directors are accountable for making sure all teams and team members are compliant with legal and ethical standards set forth by governing bodies, such as the NCAA.
What Does it Take to Become an Athletic Director?
If becoming an athletic director is of interest, it鈥檚 important to know exactly聽how聽to become an athletic director. There are a number of educational requirements and certifications to keep in mind before planning your career path.
Athletic Director Degree Requirements
Athletic directors are required to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in a field related to sports management, exercise sciences, or physical education. A聽bachelor鈥檚 degree in Sports Management聽provides students with an understanding of sports finance, marketing, accounting, business communication, operations management, and workforce dynamics. These courses provide students with the skills they鈥檒l need to manage an entire athletics department. While many jobs only require a bachelor鈥檚 degree, some students may decide to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in Educational Leadership or general management, in order to advance in their careers. Additionally, athletic directors may be required to acquire special certification. This depends on the state in which they want to work.
Athletic Director Certification Requirements
In the聽, athletic directors are required to hold a certificate issued by either the State Board of Education or by a national athletics administrators association (such as the聽). All athletic directors must also have a coaching permit. In order to earn a certification from this type of association, prospective athletic directors will need to complete four additional leadership training courses and take a written exam.
Athletic Director Skills Requirements
No matter where your career path as an athletic director takes you, there are certain skills that are needed universally to do this job well.
- Effective Communication:聽One of an athletic director鈥檚 primary responsibilities is to communicate their athletic program鈥檚 vision. A skilled athletic director will need to effectively communicate with school administrators, faculty, and students in both verbal and written forms. Athletic directors may also need to interface with members of the press as the school鈥檚 representative.
- Leadership and Management:聽Athletic directors act as the head of an entire department. As such, they must have leadership and management skills. They鈥檒l need to be excellent judges of character, capable of interviewing and hiring new coaches and trainers. They鈥檒l also need to know how to manage a budget, as they鈥檒l be in charge of all departmental spending.
- Problem Solving:聽As the director of all sports and athletic activities, athletic directors need to know how to problem solve. They are directly in charge of scheduling practice sessions and sporting events. Anyone who鈥檚 managed a busy calendar can tell you, this is a skill in and of itself. Additionally, athletic directors are in charge of fundraising for their departments. If there鈥檚 a shortfall in their budget, it’s up to the athletic director to figure out how best to raise needed funds, to keep the department running smoothly.
Job Outlook for Athletic Directors
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (), employment of聽postsecondary education administrators, including athletic directors in colleges, is expected to grow about聽four percent聽between 2019 and 2029. Over聽7,000 jobs聽in colleges and universities will open nationwide, as student enrollment continues to grow and people continue to use postsecondary education as an avenue for future success. However, the athletic director career is not limited to colleges and universities. Athletic directors will continue to be needed in public school systems and private schools, as well.
Athletic Director Salary Expectations
Athletic directors make an average of $86,490 per year, however, many athletic directors can expect a starting salary of around $52,000 per year at the very start of their career.
Becoming an Athletic Director
Athletic directors are integral to the functioning of school athletic departments. Without their important work, these departments would lack the organizational support they so need to run smoothly. If school athletics is your passion, this may be the career for you!
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