A Status Quo(tation).

for the Athletic Director Position

THE STATUS OF THE athletic director is ever-changing and ever-expanding and it can become overwhelming at times.

It has, in fact, moved the Maryland State Athletic Directors Assn. to devise a questionnaire that could determine the status of the position and enable the individual A.D.'s to show their principal, superintendent, or school board how the "typical" A.D.'s position is structured and what it involves.

The survey was mailed to all 255 of the athletic directors (public and private) in the state.

We learned that the largest percentage (31%) of the A.D.'s had three years or less experience and that the smallest percentage (19%) had 16 or more years experience.

The vast majority (71%) of the A.D.'s salaries was predicated on the teacher's pay scale. In a seven-period day, 26% taught four or more classes and in a four-period day, 23% taught two periods. However, most (73%) did not have the responsibility of a homeroom.

Many A.D.'s also had non-teaching duties for which they were responsible:

Class coverage 36%

Lunch-room duty 28%

Hall duty 21%

Parking lot duty 15%

Scheduling chaperones 15%

In addition, 73% of the A.D.'s did not have the option of using flex time in their setting. Only 30% had an assistant A.D. and 74% had no secretary or secretarial help.

The overwhelming number (92%) of the A.D.'s also took paperwork home with them during evenings and over weekends. For many (43%), this represented 5-9 additional per week.

In most cases (93%), the A.D. alone was responsible for management of the revenue-producing contests at his/her school. The A.D. was usually (78%) the liaison to the school's booster club, and this usually (73%) necessitated evening meetings.

Including all meetings, contest management, open houses, and other events representing the school, the A.D. spent an average (41%) of 60-plus evenings at school during the year.

Some A.D.'s (34%) were responsible for 30-39 teams, and supervised anywhere from 20 to 60 coaches.

Sixty % of the A.D.'s also coached within the athletic program, with most (34%) doing it in the fall. The coaching assignment was usually (52%) as the head coach, with the following sports having the highest representation: basketball (18%), football (11%), baseball (10%), soccer (9%), and lacrosse (8%).

Most A.D.'s (70%) were expected to work at their school over the summer. In meeting these responsibilities, 11% were paid a flat stipend and 29% were paid per diem. Of those paid on a per-diem basis, 10% received 15-19 days.

Obviously, the A.D.'s did not receive any additional remuneration for their efforts during the summer. The top frustrations listed by the A.D.'s were:

* Lack of time to do the job (84%).

* Increased responsibilities and expectations with the position (73%).

* Limited or no family time (59%).

* Low pay (58%).

* Fatigue or burn out associated with the position (44%).

When asked what could be done to improve their position, the most frequent answers were as follows:

* Make the position full-time with no teaching or extra duties (71%).

* Provide better compensation for the position (69%).

* Hire secretarial help (51%).

* Allow the A.D. to operate with flex time (39%).

* Provide better office equipment: phones, computers, photocopier, fax and answering machines (39%).

* Provide better compensation for summer responsibilities (31%).

Despite the frustrations involved with the position, the survey elicited satisfactions and rewards, such as:

* Providing opportunities for young people (81%).

* Knowing that he/she was making a great difference in the lives of young people and the community (74%)

* Seeing improvement in the athletic program (67%).

* Working with appreciative coaches and/or administrators (49%).

Lastly, the A.D.'s were asked to indicate what developmental activities they had been involved with over the last year and over the last five years to improve their competencies for their position.

In the last year:

* 72% regularly read professional publications such as: Scholastic Coach & Athletic Director, Interscholastic Athletic Administration, Athletic Business, Athletic Management, and others.

* 43% attended the Maryland State Athletic Directors association's annual conference.

* 14% completed a graduate course.

* 13% attended the National High School Athletic Director's Conference.

* 10% completed a NIAAA Leadership Course(s).

* 6% completed their CAA. In the last five years:

* 45% attended the Maryland State Athletic Directors Association's annual conference.

* 15% attended the National High School Athletic Director's Conference.

* 10% completed a NIAAA Leadership Course(s).

* 8% completed their CAA.

* 3% completed a graduate course.