Athletic reform in higher education: Faculty athletics representative's perspectives

Calls for the reform of intercollegiate athletic programs, particularly at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I schools, appear regularly in the media and in academic circles. One group absent from these reviews is faculty athletics representatives. Due to their unique position, as defined by the NCAA, faculty athletics representatives work within both academics and athletics. No member of the campus community is better positioned than the faculty athletics representative to discuss the need for reform of collegiate athletic programs.;This study examined the perspectives on reform held by faculty athletics representatives of intercollegiate athletics at NCAA Division I schools. The national survey and consequent follow-up interview of faculty athletics representatives examined (a) their perceptions of the need for the reform of intercollegiate athletics, and (b) their recommendations for reform based upon current reform proposals. The concept of athletic reform and reform recommendations were based upon definitions as found in relevant literature.;Descriptive statistics were used to depict the perceived level of reform needed in NCAA Division I athletics. The Spearman Correlation Coefficient was used to test each study hypothesis. Finally, descriptive statistics were used to determine agreement with twenty selected reform proposals.;All survey respondents identified a level of needed reform in NCAA Division I athletics. A large majority of faculty athletics representatives supported the current compensation system of scholarships and grants-in-aid. The following eight reform proposals received over sixty-two percent support with follow-up interviews providing depth and additional insight. (1) Make entrance requirements the same for all students. (2) Examine student-athlete time requirements in athletics. (3) Tie scholarship allocations to graduation rates. (4) Move academic support programs from athletic departments to academic areas on campus. (5) Institutionally determine start times. (6) Ban gambling on intercollegiate athletics. (7) Develop an accurate and uniform method of accounting in athletic departments. (8) Examine solutions to the facility development competition.;These eight survey items received strong support in the themes of academics, commercialism, and fiscal accountability. Particularly, there was support in the area of academics where four of eight supported reforms originated. Faculty athletics representative's support for academic reform was apparent.