Driven To Lead: Gendered Differences in Leadership Competencies Among NCAA Athletes

Intercollegiate athletics offers a valuable environment for college athletes leadership development, yet gender disparities remain in leadership roles. While female participation in college sports has grown significantly since Title IX, women still hold only 25% of NCAA leadership positions. This study explored leadership competencies among male and female NCAA athletes, focusing on key differences and their implications. A total of 232 athletes (61.7% female, 38.3% male) from all divisions completed surveys using the Leadership Learning Agility Scale (LLAS) and the Student Leadership Behavior Scale (SLBS). Results showed that female athletes scored significantly higher in six of nine leadership competencies. These findings underscore the need for gender-specific leadership programming to build confidence and prepare female athletes for future leadership roles. Tailored initiatives can help athletic departments promote more inclusive leadership development. Future research should examine the long-term and qualitative impacts of such targeted efforts.