The Peculiar Institution? A Multisite Case Study of Athletic Department Cultures at Small Christian Institutions

Abstract

This multisite case study explored the perceptions of athletic department members of the important factors of organizational cultures in athletic departments at small Christian institutions in the Midwestern United States. The study comprised of site visits to three small Christian institutions in the Midwestern United States. At each site, six individuals associated with the athletic department were interviewed; other data sources included observation, examination of institutional websites, social media, and artifacts. The findings identified common important factors of the athletic department organizational cultures and were organized around the elements of athletic department culture elements described by Schroeder (2010). The themes within institutional culture were organizational structure, common values, and standing in the gap. The important factors of the external environment included the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, denominational environment, and the climate of higher education. The themes within the internal athletic department environment include common values, clear expectations, and community. The leadership and power element revealed no additional subthemes that were conceptually different than themes within other elements. These themes are described for each institution. The dissertation concludes with evidence-based recommendations for the development of athletic department cultures at small Christian institutions in the Midwestern United States. The proposed solution provides seven recommendations that are based upon creating an understanding of institutional and athletic department cultures and developing an integrated structure with clear expectations and alignment of values that align with the mission of each unique university.