Background/Purpose: The purpose of this research project was to obtain and analyze national data to include in what we hope will become a groundbreaking, longitudinal report detailing the representation of females in positions of power within high school sports in the United States. Our project is inspired by the seminal, longitudinal work of Vivian Acosta and Jean Carpenter who have compiled a biennial report which documents females in positions of power within collegiate sport.
Method: Using a national database from Clell Wade National Coaches Directory, our goal was to initiate a baseline account of gendered leadership trends in high school sport. We examined if females experience tokenism (i.e., they represent less than 15% of all positions of power), marginalization (i.e., coach or administer less socially desirable, minor sports), and homologous reproduction (i.e., the dominant group reproduces and maintains power by hiring others with similar characteristics; Kanter, 1977).
Analysis/Results: Using SPSS (v.20), the number and percentage of females in positions of power by sport, sex of athlete, and by state of residence were calculated. We also determined if females experienced tokenism and marginalization, and if homologous reproduction was apparent. The full national report is available free of charge at: www.womensportresearch.org.
Conclusions: Documenting female employment patterns within high school sport should be continued as it is an important first step in combating sexism and discrimination, eliminating barriers and devising supports for females, as well creating awareness and social change.