Chasing the AD Chair: Bridging Career Paths, Professional Development, and Mentorship from Classroom to Athletic Department Leadership

As intercollegiate athletic programs evolve, the role of the athletic director (AD) has become increasingly complex, with varied career paths leading to this position across different NCAA divisions and NAIA institutions. Traditionally, the AD career trajectory followed a linear progression, often starting with coaching experience. However, recent research reveals that individuals from diverse professional backgrounds and educational experiences now enter the AD role (Fitzgerald et al., 1994; Lumpkin et al., 2015). This study explores the career and educational trajectories and mentorship and professional development trends of athletic directors across NCAA Divisions I, II, III, and NAIA, aiming to identify unique pathways specific to each division. A total of 160 participants completed surveys related to their path to the AD chair to include coursework, internships, graduate assistantships, professional development, and mentorship. Through chi-square analyses, the study reveals significant differences in work experience across the four groups. Key findings include variations in prior roles such as associate AD and head coach, as well as differences in internship experiences. The results highlight the importance of practical experiences in shaping career trajectories, offering valuable insights for faculty mentoring students aspiring to become ADs. These findings can guide faculty as they create curriculum for students in selecting appropriate educational and practical opportunities based on their aspirations within different divisions.