Gender Equity and the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) A Review of the Data

The United States Congress as required by section 485(g) of the Higher Education Act, as amended 20 U.S.C. 1092(g). The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA), requires the Secretary of Education to collect information and to subsequently report to Congress on the financial and statistical information of collegiate athletic programs. The purpose of this paper was to provide an overview of the data that was collected in the EADA survey. This data was also intended to provide detailed information upon gender equity in athletics. This data was intended to be used as a resource for prospective student-athletes as an information source to help them to make informed decisions about their potential or continued enrollment in a post-secondary institution. Further, public, prospective and current students could also use the information collected to assess an institution's commitment to and their subsequent progress toward gender equity in their intercollegiate athletic programs. This project sought to collect survey research on a population of post-secondary education institutions. Data collection involved the completion of a 16-page spreadsheet by an individual selected by the host post-secondary institution. The data collection was not without incident, however, it was productive and a number of the results were notable. Specifically the results indicated; (a) football is by far the largest revenue producer and greatly influences the overall data, (b) there are more female undergraduate students and yet less women participating in sport, (c) men?s teams receive more athletically-related student aid, (d) men?s team spend twice as much in recruiting expenses, (e) women?s coaches are more likely to be part time and (f) men?s coaches make on average $9,000 per year more than women?s coaches. This process has highlighted the need for a more accurate collection tool. A number of respondents questioned the nature, type and truthfulness in the reporting. This is not a function of the data collection instrument but rather the host institution response to the mandated questions. A more open and detailed data sharing process will seek to resolve perceived drawbacks of improper reporting. Further, refinement of this business process will allow for real time entry and efficient feedback to athletic departments and prospective athletes. Recommendations for further research were produced. Key words: Gender Equity, Survey Research, Sport Administration
Keyword(s): gender issues, research, sport management