Athletics and academics: Motivational leadership for mission congruence.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to assess the relationship between the mission and goals of a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletic department and the mission and goals of its parent institution. The research was based on a comparison between independent and affiliated athletic departments, the relationship of independent athletic departments with three possible athletic department models, and the potential for motivation of the individual within each model toward departmental and institutional mission and goals. Because of the existence of complex and multidimensional variables among individuals, programs, athletic departments and institutions, the methodology chosen was qualitative rather than quantitative. A focused interview protocol was developed and applied in a procedure involving a sample size of twenty-eight participants: athletic directors, associate athletic directors, head coaches, assistant coaches, and support staff personnel at twelve NCAA Division I institutions in the western United States. Results indicated that the environment of the institution and the culture of the athletic department are of primary importance for determining individual commitment to that department and institution. It was determined that athletic department leaders can successfully use the culture of the department and of the institution to not only fulfill individual expectations for goal achievement, but also to direct individual efforts toward departmental and institutional goals. A recommendation was made for further research in this area, as very little data exists concerning individual, component, and departmental motivation toward institutional goals.