ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION:
Successful Decision Making, Risk Taking
and Problem Solving


by WILLIAM F. STIER, JR.
1st edition, January 2004, 512 pages, $49.95 
ISBN 978-0-89641-406-8

 

SECOND EDITION AVAILABLE FOR FALL 2012!

Athletic Administration is about problems, specifically, how to recognize them, avoid them, and resolve them, all within a school-based, competitive athletic setting. This book was written specifically for use in collegiate courses dealing with the preparation of athletic administrators and sport managers. It can also be helpful when used as an addendum in the "Sport Mangement Administration" classes. Most of the problem solving principles, strategies and tactics suggested within this book are applicable for all levels of amateur sport competition, i.e., youth sports, junior and senior high school levels, as well as the collegiate or university scene.

UNIQUE ELEMENTS OF THIS BOOK

This book has seven separate but related features that make it somewhat unique in terms of athletic administration and sport management books. The first component is the inclusion of general information relating to the process of problem solving. Second, at the beginning of each chapter are listed the chapter's objectives. And at the conclusion of each of the first five chapters are exercises that contain questions pertaining to the content of each chapter. Third, eighty-seven fundamental principles are presented that speak specifically to the tasks and responsibilities generally associated with problem solving by athletic administrators with various levels of responsibility. These fundamental principles are presented in chapters one and two as Problem Solving principles.

The fourth feature is the inclusion of seventy-four specific survival strategies and tactics in chapters three and four. These survival strategies/tactics illustrate practical recommdendations, appropriate and timely guidance, counsel, cautions and admonishments for the practitioner in terms of real-life decision making.

Section II contains three additional unique elements. In chapter five, the book presents fifteen case study tenets. The sixth unique aspect of this book is the inclusion of 90 unique case studies. Each case study is based upon a realistic problem or chllenge prevalent in today's school-based athletic programs. Each case provides critical thinking opportunities for the reader in terms of athletic administration. The seventh special feature of this book is the inclusion of a series of questions for discussion which appear at the end of each case study. Answering these questions can aid the reader in planning and creating an individual strategic action plan for each of the case studies.

 

CONTENTS

SECTION I: INTRODUCTION TO THE PRINCIPLES, PROCESSES AND STRATEGIES OF PROBLEM SOLVING

Chapter 1: Fundamental Principles of Problem Solving in Athletic Administration

Chapter Objectives
Introduction
Addressing Problems and Meeting Challenges
Overview of Problems and Problem Solving
The Process of Problem Solving — An Art and a Science
Being a Competent Problem Solver
The Abundance of Challenges and Problems within Athletic Circles
Problelm Solving and the Element of Timeliness
Efficiency and Effectiveness in the Problem Solving Process
An Essential Element — Quality Communoication Skills
Personal and Professional Consequences of Problem Solving Efforts
Dealing with Problems via the Crisis Mode
Problem Solving Risks Associated with Athletic Administration/Management
The Ultimate Power and Awesome Responsibility of Athletic Directors
Assumption of Risks and Reactions to Problems and Challenges
The Difficulty of Solving Problems
Preventing versus Solving Problems
A Question of Preventing Problems
The Matter of Control and Responsibility
The Importance of Wise Decision Making
The Importance of Standard Operating Procedures, Policies and Priorities
Making Exceptions to Standard Operating Procedures, Policies and Priorities
Problem Solving — A Matter of Timeliness
Conclusion
Exercises for Chapter One
References

Chapter 2: Problem Solving Processes in Athletic Administration

Chapter Objectives
The Process of Resolving and Solving Problems
Problem Solving and Political Realities
The Process versus End Results
Solving Problems and Dealing with People
Assigning Blame and the Problem Solving Process
The Legality of Problem Solving
The Need for Caring Problem Solvers
Problem Solving and Decision Making in Light of Ethical Considerations
Controversy and the Problem Solving Process
Conclusion
Exercises for Chapter Two
References

Chapter 3: Problem Solving Strategies and Tactics in Athletic Administration

Chapter Objectives
Addressing the Challenges of problem Solving
Planned and Anticipatory Management versus Crises Management
Remainbing Politically Astute as an Athletic Administrator and Problem Solver
Becoming Personally Involved with the Problem Solving Process
Appropriate and Timely Decision Making
Conclusion
Exercises for Chapter Three
References

Chapter 4:
Strategies for Establishing and Maintaining Productive Interpersonal Relationships

Chapter Objectives
Developing Relationships with Athletes
Developing Relationships with Staff
Developing Relationships with Advisers
Developing Relationships with Family Members
Developing Relationships with Higher Administrators and Superiors
Developing Relationships with Others
Dealing with Adversity — And Surviving
The Necessity of Possessing Product Knowledge
How to Professionally Handle Criticism
Conclusion
Exercises for Chapter Four
References

SECTION II: THE CASE METHOD AND PROBLEM SOLVING

Chapter 5: Problem Solving via the Case Study Approach

Chapter Objectives
Organization of Cases
Suggestions for Reviewing Individual Case Studies
Case Studies are Fictional but Realistic Accounts
Depicting Possible Actual Events and Occurrences
Benefits of Utilizing the Case Study Method
Conclusion
Exercises for Chapter Five
References

Chapter 6: Problems with Athletes

Case  #1: The Athlete Dismissed from the Team
Case   #2: Violence in Sports
Case   #3: Code of Conduct
Case   #4: Drug Testing for Athletes
Case   #5: Poor Substituting during a Contest
Case   #6: Athletic Team Boycott
Case   #7: Athletes Pushing for a New Sport
Case   #8: Atahletes Demanding More Meal Money for Away Contests
Case   #9: Athletes Damaging Equipment and Facilities
Case #10: Transportation Problems for Injured Athletes
Case #11: Athletes dressing like Slobs
Case #12: Super Star's Recruitment for College
Case #13: Player's Eligibility
Case #15: Questionable Conditioning of Athletes
Case #15: Athletes Demanding a Coach be Fired

Chapter 7: Problems with Athletic Coaches

Chapter Objectives
Case #16: The Uninvolved Coach
Case #17: The Future of the Would-be Coach
Case #18: The Two Coaches Who Worked Closely Together
Case #19: Remembering the Past
Case #20: The First-time Losing Coach
Case #21: The Very Unhappy Coach
Case #22: Handling the Disorganized Coach
Case #23: The Coach's Inappropriate Appearance
Case #24: The Expectations of Coaches
Case #25: The Negative Motivation by the Coach
Case #26: Dealing with an Overly Conservative Coach
Case #27: The Coach Who Couldn't Follow Directions
Case #28: The Inconsiderate and Unthinking Coach
Case #29: The Altered Purchase Order
Case #30: The Person Who Quits Coaching but Remains as a Teacher

Chapter 8: Problems with Individuals

Chapter Objectives
Case #31: The Athletic Director Making Important Decisions too Quickly
Case #32: The Impolite Non-athletic Administrator
Case #33: The Would-be Head Coach
Case #34: Crisis Management
Case #35: The Athletic Director Faced with the Tough Decision
Case #36: The Broken-down Coach
Case #37: The Problem between the Coach and the Custodian
Case #38: Impressing the New Boss
Case #39: The Forgetful Athletic Director
Case #40: Influential Fundraising Contacts
Case #41: Problem with the Media
Case #42: The Indispensable Athletic Director
Case #43: The Athletic Director with the Difficult Superior/Boss
Case #44: The Sloppily Made Newsletter
Case #45: The Improper Delegation

Chapter 9: Problems with Controversial Issues

Chapter Objectives
Case #46: The Mime Beautiful
Case #47: Promotion of the Would-be Big Time Program
Case #48: The Potential Rival and a New Boss
Case #49: The Impending Marriage
Case #50: The Rent-a-Coach Problem
Case #51: The Partying Coach
Case #52: The Unfair Treatment Charge
Case #53: The Reluctant Complainer
Case #54: Negative Atmosphere
Case #55: An Ad Administering by Walking Around
Case #56: The Secret Budget Process
Case #57: The Missing Equipment and Supplies
Case #58: The Sneaky Title IX Compliance
Case #59: The Inefficient Concession Stand
Case #60: Too Many Fundraising Projects

Chapter 10: Problems with Policies, Practices, Procedures, Priorities and Philosophies

Chapter Objectives
Case #61: Having to Pass to Play
Case #62: The Problematic Vacation Policies
Case #63: Questionable Travel Squad
Case #64: Applying for an Administrative Position
Case #65: The Coach's Little Kids
Case #66: Having to Pay to Play
Case #67: Accountability in Evaluating Coaches
Case #68: The Awards Ceremony
Case #69: The Part-time Coach being Bumped by a Full-time Teacher
Case #70: The Athletic Shoe Purchase
Case #71: Inadequate Crowd Control
Case #72: Problematic Departmental Handbook
Case #73: Request for Cheerleaders to Accompany Basketball Team on Bus
Case #74: Planning for the Athletic Banquet
Case #75: Creating Corporate Sponsorship

Chapter 11: Problems with Special Situations

Chapter Objectives
Case #76: Lack of Goal Setting
Case #77: New Publicity Director
Case #78: Confused Would-be Athleltic Coach
Case #79: The Glass Ceiling
Case #80: The Well-meaning Mentor
Case #81: The Coach being Told How to do His Job
Case #82: The Athletic Director Hiding in His Officer
Case #83: The Messy Athletic Director
Case #84: Problems Associated with Renting a Facility
Case #85: The Fiscal Irresponsibility
Case #86: The Unsafe Practice Site
Case #87: The Upgrade to the Facility
Case #88: The Unkempt Facilities
Case #89: The Poorly Organized Inventory Process
Case #90: The Poorly Organized Game Promotion

APPENDIX A:
A Partial List of Suggested Pulbications, Journals and Magazines and Selected Journal Articles

APPENDIX B:
Index

About the Author

Dr. William F. Stier, Jr., a distinguished service professor, is the graduate coordinator of Athletic Administration and directs the coaching certification program and the sports management concentration at the State University of New York at Brockport. Dr. Stier has authored over 270 scholarly articles and has published sixteen books in sport management, marketing, fundraising and coaching. He presently serves as editor of two scholarly, refereed (blind review) professional journals: The Physical Educator and the International Journal of Sport Management. He is also currently listed in Who's Who in International Education and has received numerous honors and awards.

Back to the top