Education services

Survey measures presence of traits for athletics positions

By the end of April, the NCAA plans to make available the Pathfinder Career Systems Survey, which can help examine if a person aspiring to be an athletics administrator or head coach possesses the behavioral traits needed to be a high performer in those professions.

Cash, Lehman & Associates has developed a process with competency-based modeling as its foundation that attempts to define predictors of future success in the athletics industry.

The survey takes the competencies of high performers at the administrative and coaching levels to seek benchmarked answers as to why they perform their jobs so well.

Those competencies, along with skill, knowledge and experience competencies, combine to provide a complete career profile.

The results of the survey can show a person which areas he or she needs to improve on before seeking an athletics director or head coaching position.

At the same time, the results could be a tool for employers to use when trying to narrow the field of potential job candidates.

“We have been working on this project for quite some time, and we’re excited about this being done,” said Ron Stratten, NCAA vice president for education services. “We believe this will benefit anyone seeking careers in athletics administration or coaching. The results of the assessment can be added to a resume. We believe this can help even the playing field.”

The core competency areas measured by the Pathfinder Survey are intellectual ability, vocational incentives, lifestyle priorities, career interests, problem solving, work habits, motivational factors, self assessment, human relations and coping strategies.

Scores are based on responses and compared to those who have been chosen as benchmarks.

The initial cost of taking the survey is $99, and additional fees are charged depending on whether a person wishes to expand the profile to other potential careers or further services.

More information on the Pathfinder Career Systems Survey will be provided on the home page of NCAA.org.

NCAA Centennial

Association officially observes 100th birthday in Indianapolis

The NCAA officially celebrated its 100th birthday March 31 in Indianapolis with a commemorative party at the NCAA Hall of Champions that kicked off the Hall’s “100 Years, 100 Hours” event.

The Hall of Champions remained open for 100 consecutive hours beginning at 10 a.m March 31 — the day before tipoff of the semifinals of the Men’s Final Four in Indianapolis.

On March 31, 1906, members of the newly formed Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS) issued the organization’s first constitution and bylaws.

The IAAUS changed its name to the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 1910.

The Association’s year-long Centennial celebration began with the NCAA Convention in January and continues through the 2007 Convention in Orlando, Florida.

“The focus of our Centennial celebration is to commemorate 100 years of intercollegiate athletics, focusing on 100 years of the student-athlete, in a manner that honors the past, highlights the advocacy and reform initiatives of the present, and provides a look into the future,” said NCAA President Myles Brand.

‘Home Team’

Women’s basketball coaches, NCAA team up to build home

The NCAA’s “Home Team” partnership with Habitat for Humanity continues April 29 when the Association and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) will join forces to sponsor construction of a “Habitat home in a box.”

The home will be fully framed that day in Knoxville, Tennessee, during the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction weekend. Final construction of the home will take place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, during May and June. The project will be dedicated to the late Sue Gunter, who coached basketball at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

The WBCA and NCAA also are sponsoring an online auction of four silver basketballs signed by this year’s Women’s Final Four coaches as well as a basketball signed by the Division I Women’s Basketball 25th Anniversary Team. Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity International as well as the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Boston, site of the Women’s Final Four.

Bids are being accepted at http://auctions.ncaasports.com into June.