Picturing Disparities: Unveiling Gendered Racism in Athletic Leadership Through Photo Elicitation

Authors

Eddie Comeaux, University of California, RiversideFollow
Ajhanai C.I. Keaton, University of Massachusetts AmherstFollow
Briana A. Savage, University of California, RiversideFollow
Dresden June Frazier, University of California, RiversideFollow
Sara Grummert, Institute for Mixed Methods ResearchFollow

DOI

https://doi.org/10.51221/sc.jiia.2025.18.1.32

Abstract

This study explored National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletic administrators’ views regarding the professional accomplishments of women athletic directors by race/ethnicity. More than 2,000 full-time athletic administrators (e.g., athletic directors, academic advisors/counselors for athletes, and coaches) responded to a photograph of and vignette about either a Black or white woman athletic director. The study found that although some athletic administrators were supportive of women athletic directors regardless of race, some showed signs of race evasiveness and stark differences in their perceptions of deservingness consistent with racial bias. These findings have implications for campus leaders and other higher education institution stakeholders to better understand the varying perceptions of women athletic directors across racial lines, to ultimately commit to creating more equitable athletic environments.

Recommended Citation

Comeaux, Eddie; Keaton, Ajhanai C.I.; Savage, Briana A.; Frazier, Dresden June; and Grummert, Sara (2025) "Picturing Disparities: Unveiling Gendered Racism in Athletic Leadership Through Photo Elicitation," Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics: Vol. 18: Iss. 1, Article 32.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51221/sc.jiia.2025.18.1.32
Available at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/jiia/vol18/iss1/32