A Concern for the Future of Sport Management: Female Students' Perceptions Toward Their Sport Management Degree

Abstract

Women continue to be underrepresented in both management positions in sport as well as sport management academic degree programs. Despite the increase in the number of women participating in sport at the high school and college levels as well as the increase of women pursuing non-traditional academic majors, a disparity remains. This qualitative study utilized focus groups of female sport management undergraduates to examine their perceptions of the academic environment and their degrees. Results indicate women perceive there to be a lack of information about the sport management degree, a concern regarding outsider’s perceptions of the degree, and a chilly climate in the sport management classroom.