Job Responsibilities and Backgrounds of NCAA Division I Athletic Advisors and Counselors

Abstract

A national survey of the job responsibilities and educational backgrounds of athletic advisors and counselors representing NCAA Division I institutions was conducted. Of the 274 counselors contacted, 134 returned completed questionnaires, representing a 49% return rate. Results of the survey indicated that the majority of advisors and counselors were male, held a master’s degree, and were former athletes in revenue-producing sports. They were employed primarily by athletic departments and provided counseling services, for the most part, to male college athletes involved in revenue-producing sports. Counseling services for college athletes focused primarily on academic matters, with considerably less attention devoted to personal-social or vocational counseling. The implications of these findings toward the provision of future counseling services for college athletes are discussed.

Identity Foreclosure, Athletic Identity, and Career Maturity in Intercollegiate Athletes

“…In addition, evidence suggests that student-athletes who engage in career planning are likely to select more appropriate majors and do better academically than athletes who do not engage in career planning (Nelson, 1982). Unfortunately, at some institutions, student-athletes may receive little career-related support (Brooks, Etzel, & Ostrow, 1987;Remer, Tongate, & Watson, 1978).…”

An Examination of Privacy Rules for Academic Advisors and College Student-Athletes: A Communication Privacy Management Perspective

“…Although these disclosures occur, some advisors do not possess the necessary training=education to effectively deal with these issues (Brooks, Etzel, & Ostrow, 1987). Because advisors do not have the expertise, they often rely on other campus support systems (e.g., counseling psychologists) to help student-athletes manage their complex personal issues (Gabbard & Halischank, 1993;Jolly, 2008).…”

Who Are Athletic Advisors? State of the Profession

“…In almost four decades since the first athletic advisors emerged to help incoming student-athletes with eligibility requirements, few researchers have undertaken studies to identify and characterize these athletic advising professionals by determining their demographics, training, education, or work responsibilities. In one of the few extant studies, Brooks, Etzel, and Ostrow (1987) conducted a survey of 134 athletic advising professionals at NCAA Division I institutions. They described the profile of the athletic advisors who participated in their study: men with a master's degree who had participated as college athletes and had been out of college for 10 years.…”