MINORITY COACHES Lack of diversity among college, conference leaders is reflected

A study found that white women held 41 of 360 campus leadership positions.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- The low number of minorities coaching college football teams reflects a lack of diversity among college and conference leaders, a University of Central Florida study released Wednesday says.
UCF's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport found there were five blacks and one Hispanic employed as head coaches at the 117 Division I-A football schools as of Oct. 31.
That low percentage mirrors the numbers for university presidents (5 percent), athletic directors (8 percent), faculty athletic representatives (9 percent) and conference commissioners (none).
"It is clear from this data that the vast majority of the most powerful people in college sport are white," institute director Richard Lapchick said in a statement. "Does this have an impact on the hiring of head football coaches? How could it not?"
The study -- "The Buck Stops Here: Assessing Diversity among Campus and Conference Leaders for Division I-A Schools" -- also found that white women held 41 of 360 campus leadership positions (11 percent). There are two minority women in such jobs, one black and one Hispanic.
"History shows that in the 'old boys' network, white men are likely to hire people who look like them," Lapchick said.
The study also noted that minorities in leadership positions were no more likely to hire minorities than their white peers. The same went for women.
Of the six minority university presidents, none hired a minority for the positions of athletic director, head football coach or faculty athletic representative.
Among the 13 female presidents, none appointed a female athletic director.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.