Division I Athletics Directors and University Presidents : A Comparison of Sport-Related Values

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the moral reasoning of university presidents and athletics directors in sport settings, an area into which few initiatives have been undertaken. Electronic surveys were used to collect data from leaders of institutions currently participating in Division I intercollegiate athletics. Respondents were asked to complete an on-line survey consisting of the Hahm-Beller Values Choice Inventory (HBVCI-16) and demographic questions related to their prior undergraduate athletic involvement, occupational tenure, and gender. Eighty-six useable responses were collected. A series of ANOVAs were used to assess differences between university presidents and athletics directors on measures of moral reasoning. Results of the analysis showed no statistical significance indicating that presidents and athletics directors reason from a moderate deontological level and the conventional level of Kohlberg's hierarchy of moral reasoning. A series of additional ANOVAs found significant interactions for the variables leadership position, football division, and tenure. Findings show stakeholders involved in managing Division I athletics programs have similar ethical views in sport settings; however, variables influencing administrators' views include length of occupational tenure and the presence of a football program. These findings contribute to the body of knowledge on moral reasoning in sport settings, yet additional research should be conducted to further investigate the impact of tenure and football.