The NCAA's most recent research on race demographics in intercollegiate athletics departments shows only minimal gains in the percentage of ethnic minorities in administrative positions and even fewer gains -- if not losses -- in key decision-making positions.

The data gleaned from the 2001 Race Demographics of NCAA Member Institutions' Athletics Personnel, a report done every two years, show few significant changes since the first report compiled in 1995-96. And what modest increases there were in minorities employed in one category or division were offset by decreases in other categories or divisions.

For example, the percentage of Blacks in administrative positions at the Division I level (historically black colleges and universities excluded) increased from 6.2 percent in 1995-96 to 8.5 in 2001, though percentages in the top positions (athletics director, associate and assistant AD) actually fell. The percentage of black athletics directors in Division I dropped from 3.7 to 2.9, while percentages for black associate and assistant ADs dropped from 7.2 to 6.8 and 8.0 to 7.5, respectively.

The numbers in those key positions are slightly higher than they were previously in Divisions II and III. The greatest gain was for black athletics directors in Division III, a group that rose from 2.1 percent in 1995-96 to 5.1 in 2001. But the percentage of black athletics directors in Division II dropped from 2.5 to 2.4.

The most significant increase in any position in any division was for Division I black senior woman administrators, which rose from 2.4 in 1995-96 to 7.0 in 2001. In fact, among top-level administrators, any increases in the percentage of Blacks seem to be the result of increased hiring of black women. Percentages of black men in administrative positions remained relatively unchanged since 1995.

Ramapo College Athletics Director Eugene Marshall, who chairs the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee, said his committee was disappointed in the lack of change. Moreover, Marshall said the committee was disappointed in the lack of progress at the decision-making level.

Marshall noted the report shows that the highest percentages for black males are found for the positions of academic advisor (12.8 percent, all divisions), facilities manager (11.6 percent), strength and conditioning coaches (11.5 percent) and equipment managers (10.1 percent). For black females, the most popular positions are academic advisor (10 percent) and administrative assistant (10 percent).

Marshall said his committee was concerned because the percentages in those categories actually increased since 1995 while the numbers at the director level dropped, a trend he finds disturbing.

"While the total number of Blacks may have increased slightly, the growth is in the wrong areas," he said.

Coaching data

A look at head coaches and assistant coaches reveals increases for black coaches of both men's and women's teams. In Division I, the percentage of black coaches of men's teams rose 3 percent, from 9.3 in 1995 to 12.3 in 2001. In all divisions, the gain was from 7.6 to 8.8 percent. The percentage of black coaches of Division I women's teams also increased, from 9.7 in 1995 to 11.4 in 2001. In all divisions, the percentage went from 7.5 to 8.5.

Percentages in basketball fueled the growth for black head coaches of male teams. In Division I, 27.5 percent of head men's basketball coaches in 2001 were black, up from 22.2 percent in 1995.

As for assistant coaches, percentages for men's teams remained relatively static. The percentage of black assistants in Division I was at 20.9 for 2001, up from 18.4 in 1995 but the same as the percentage in the 1997 report. The percentage of black assistants for women's teams in Division I rose from 14.9 in 1995 to 17.7 in 2001. Minimal gains also were made for black assistants for Divisions II and III women's teams.

More effort needed

The 2001 study is based on the Institution Staff Demographic Form, which was voluntarily completed by NCAA member institutions' athletics personnel. The response rate for the study, which traditionally has been quite high, was again about 90 percent in Division I and 85 percent overall.

The study also was conducted in 1997 and 1999, but 1995 data are used as baseline information for the purposes of the 2001 report. The NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee, formed in January of 1991, has been using the data since 1995 to measure broad changes over time.

Marshall said that review has led to continued disappointment, since each report has shown minimal, if any, gain.

"If there were 50 percent employment for people of color, we wouldn't need race demographics reports, or ethnic minority internship or scholarship programs, or even a committee that oversees them," he said. "But people need to understand that having only 2.9 percent black athletics directors in Division I is embarrassing. It just shows that there still isn't an understanding of race in the NCAA."

Marshall is troubled by what he believes is a growing concern, not only among committee members, but among other NCAA members and external groups. He referred to 1994, when black Division I basketball coaches threatened a boycott over a decision not to increase basketball scholarships, which they believed was an act of racial discrimination. Though Marshall and his committee understand that the NCAA cannot control or oversee institutional hiring practices, he said that increased pressure may be placed on member institutions to change the hiring culture.

"One of the committee's main tasks has been to alert the membership to the data and to the current culture," he said. "Institutions have an opportunity right now to take some positive steps to avoid a situation the likes of which we haven't seen since 1994.

"I have a grave fear that people are still taking the diversity issue too lightly. If they don't take this seriously, I foresee in the next couple of months a big problem that once it starts will not be able to be controlled."

The race demographics report, as with other NCAA research reports, will not be printed and distributed to NCAA member institutions as in years past, but will be made available online at www.ncaa.org later this fall (click "News and publications," "View online" and "Research").