Background/Purpose
Research suggests a lack of female coaches at all sport levels, especially as head coaches of male teams (Acosta & Carpenter, 2008; Kamphoff, 2008; Kane & Stangl, 1991). Yet, few studies have focused on women coaching males and the perceived barriers they experience. In fact, only four studies have been conducted to date; two examined the high school level (Kane & Stangl, 1991; Straurowsky, 1990) and two examined the collegiate level (Kamphoff, Armentrout, Driska, & Daniels, 2008; Yiamouyiannis, 2007). Straurowsky's reported that all female coaches she interviewed who coached high school boys met resistance, experienced discrimination, and had to work harder to appear competent compared to their male colleagues. Given the void in the literature and the importance of continuing this research, the purpose of this study was to better understand the experiences of women who coach boys at the high school level, and to understand athletic director's perceptions of women coaching boys. The specific focus of this study was to identify and develop strategies to address perceived barriers that may prohibit women from coaching boys.
Method
An on-line survey was sent to all female head coaches of male high school teams, and all high school athletic directors in Minnesota (both identified from the Minnesota State High School League Website). The survey was completed by 67 female head coaches and 143 high school athletic directors (a 32.8% and 31.6% response rate, respectively).
Analysis/Results
The results of the survey indicated that female coaches experience marginalization specifically because they are more likely to coach less prestigious male sports (i.e., individual versus team sports). Female coaches also indicated they noticed a difference in treatment because of their gender most often from other coaches (38.8%) compared to student-athletes (34.3%), parents (26.9%), officials (11.9%), administrators (10.4%), or fans (6.0%). Female coaches were most likely to indicate that “Female coaches are not applying for jobs coaching boys' sport teams” as a reason for the lack of females coaching males (M = 4.00 out of 5), compared to athletic directors who were most likely to indicate that “Women are not interested in coaching male athletes” (M = 3.1 out of 5).
Conclusions
Similar to the female coaches, athletic directors thought that American society viewed males coaching males as most favorable, compared to females coaching females, males coaching females, and females coaching females. Full results will be shared along with strategies for change.