{"id":65,"date":"2021-06-28T13:18:42","date_gmt":"2021-06-28T17:18:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bptd8dev.bridgeport.edu\/news\/?p=65"},"modified":"2025-01-06T15:02:54","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T20:02:54","slug":"how-to-become-athletic-director","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bridgeport.edu\/news\/how-to-become-athletic-director\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become an Athletic Director in Connecticut"},"content":{"rendered":"

Across the United States, there are over 1,200 colleges with athletic departments that belong to the\u00a0<\/span>National Collegiate Athletic Association<\/a>\u00a0(NCAA). Additionally, there are over 19,000 high school athletic departments that belong to the\u00a0<\/span>National Federation of State High School Associations<\/a>. In Connecticut alone, more than 1,100 schools belong to the\u00a0<\/span>Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference.<\/a>\u00a0What do these schools all have in common? They require the work of an athletic director.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is an Athletic Director?<\/span><\/h2>\n

An athletic director oversees athletic programs at the university or college level. Some athletic directors oversee the athletic programs of high schools or middle schools, instead. While an athletic director does not work directly with students, they supervise the programming of a school\u2019s athletic activities and the day-to-day running of a school\u2019s athletic department.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Does an Athletic Director Do?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Athletic directors manage the administrative and financial responsibilities associated with a school\u2019s athletics department. This can entail hiring and firing coaches and teachers, supervising coaches, fund-raising, ordering athletic equipment, and setting departmental budgets. Athletic directors schedule team games as well as practice sessions. They\u2019re also in charge of handling any public relations associated with the school\u2019s athletic program. Additionally, athletic directors are accountable for making sure all teams and team members are compliant with legal and ethical standards set forth by governing bodies, such as the NCAA.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Does it Take to Become an Athletic Director?<\/span><\/h2>\n

If becoming an athletic director is of interest, it\u2019s important to know exactly\u00a0how<\/em>\u00a0to become an athletic director. There are a number of educational requirements and certifications to keep in mind before planning your career path.<\/span><\/p>\n

Athletic Director Degree Requirements<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Athletic directors are required to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree in a field related to sports management, exercise sciences, or physical education. A\u00a0<\/span>bachelor\u2019s degree in Sports Management<\/a>\u00a0provides students with an understanding of sports finance, marketing, accounting, business communication, operations management, and workforce dynamics. These courses provide students with the skills they\u2019ll need to manage an entire athletics department. While many jobs only require a bachelor\u2019s degree, some students may decide to pursue a master\u2019s degree in Educational Leadership or general management, in order to advance in their careers. Additionally, athletic directors may be required to acquire special certification. This depends on the state in which they want to work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Athletic Director Certification Requirements<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the\u00a0<\/span>state of Connecticut<\/a>, athletic directors are required to hold a certificate issued by either the State Board of Education or by a national athletics administrators association (such as the\u00a0<\/span>National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association<\/a>). All athletic directors must also have a coaching permit. In order to earn a certification from this type of association, prospective athletic directors will need to complete four additional leadership training courses and take a written exam.<\/span><\/p>\n

Athletic Director Skills Requirements<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

No matter where your career path as an athletic director takes you, there are certain skills that are needed universally to do this job well.<\/span><\/p>\n