How To Become an Athletic Director

A basketball sits in close-up on a sidewalk next to a patch of grass. The basketball is alone, abandoned, unloved and forgotten. The children who once played with the basketball are grown now, scattered by the winds of adulthood to lead adult lives. The basketball was once, the veil of its scarlet gift wrapping removed, a thrilling Christmas morning surprise. It spent many subsequent years as a beloved companion during innumerable afternoons in the driveway, bouncing off of the backboard, bricking the rim and, in its most glorious moments, swishing uncontested through the yielding net. But the children who loved the basketball have long since remembered it for the last time. No one who ever loved the ball will ever think of it again. It never had life, but it once had a soul. Now it a lonely husk, waiting only to be discarded and destroyed. We all die a thousand deaths.

Discover the essential steps to becoming an athletic director. Here’s your complete guide to relevant degrees, experience, and networking,

As school athletic programs grow, the role of the athletic director is becoming more essential. The increasing participation in sports at the high-school level raises the demand for qualified leaders who understand the importance of motivation, leadership, management, and strategy to continue to grow school athletic programs.

By earning a Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology from University of Western States, you will develop a strong understanding of the relationship between sports education and psychology, which will give you a unique edge in pursuing your career in school athletics. The Sports and Performance Psychology master’s degree features a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to improving athletic performance, including critical skills for a successful athletic director at any school level.

What Does an Athletic Director Do?

Athletic directors have many responsibilities. They oversee school sports programs, making them responsible for managing budgets, hiring the right coaches, and ensuring compliance with school and state athletic regulations.

Beyond the administrative tasks, athletic directors breathe life into the sports programs they oversee. They have a unique opportunity to shape the ethos of sports within a school, ensuring that every student-athlete competes in a positive and supportive environment. Athletic directors transform sports into experiences that teach life lessons, build character, and create memories that last a lifetime.

What Degrees Do Athletic Directors Need?

To step into the shoes of an athletic director, one needs to be equipped with the right education. Typically, a bachelor’s degree is required. However, in today’s competitive landscape, many schools prefer candidates with a master’s degree or advanced certifications, emphasizing the importance of specialized athletic director education.

  • Bachelor’s Degree: Most schools will require an athletic director to hold at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in sports management, physical education, or a related field.
  • Advanced Degrees: Master’s or doctoral programs, such as the M.S. in Sport and Performance Psychology at UWS, provide specialized knowledge in motivation and performance enhancement to maximize an athletic program’s potential. An advanced degree in this field may be particularly advantageous in competitive job markets or for athletic director positions at larger schools where additional qualifications can set candidates apart.
  • Experience and Networking: Practical experience in coaching, athletic administration, or even teaching can be as crucial as formal education. These will help with building a network within the sports community that can open doors to many opportunities.

The Sport and Performance Psychology program at University of Western States offers two specializations, allowing students to pursue their interests while learning skills that can support their career path to becoming an athletic director.

The Positive Coaching Concentration helps graduates become strong leaders and develop professional relationship management skills to work closely with coaches and improve their ability to motivate and support teams effectively.

Through mentorship hours, the Applied Practice Concentration offers hands-on experience that teaches aspiring athletic directors how to maximize mental resilience and peak performance in student-athletes.

What Does an Athletic Director’s Education Entail?

Prospective athletic directors should focus on courses that provide a deep understanding of sports administration, human resource management, and sports ethics. University of Western States offers graduate programs tailored to these needs, emphasizing both academic knowledge and hands-on experience.

Some of the courses UWS offers as part of our Sport and Performance Psychology program would benefit anyone interested in becoming an athletic director. These include:

  • Applied Leadership in Sport and Performance Coaching: Dive into how leadership principles from positive psychology, such as resilience and growth mindset, can refine coaching in sports. This course helps athletic directors understand and improve their techniques to enhance athletes’ experiences and well-being.
  • Sport in Society: Learn about sports’ role and its influence on society. Understand sport as both influenced by society and as an agent for change. Key topics include the intersection of sport with gender, race, class, media, violence, and other societal aspects.
  • Foundations of Positive Leadership: A primer on modern leadership concepts that emphasize relationships and strengths. Aspiring athletic directors will discover positive leadership theories and build a personal philosophy. This foundational course views leadership from various angles, ranging from individual interactions to organization-wide perspectives.

Embark on an Athletic Director Career

Athletic directors shape the sports culture of their communities and ensure student-athletes enjoy the best possible experiences. Becoming an athletic director is a goal that requires dedication, strategic planning, and a commitment to the world of sports and academics.

Becoming an athletic director is not just about checking the boxes of job requirements. It’s about leadership, vision, and a deep passion for enhancing sports culture. Soft skills such as effective communication, conflict resolution, and team management are just as important. Additionally, an in-depth understanding of school sports policies, state regulations, and a commitment to ethical conduct will set you apart.

The Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology program at University of Western States teaches aspiring athletic directors advanced knowledge of the interconnectedness between sports, psychology, leadership, and management, offering graduates a competitive edge as athletic directors at the middle school, high school, and college levels.

Interested in pursuing a career as an athletic director? Apply to the Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology program at University of Western States today.

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