NCAA Program Helps Minorities and Women Break into Sports Industry

The NCAA has done several studies of the representation of minorities and women in administrative, management and coaching staff positions in college athletics. Their most recent findings were that there was indeed a lack of ethnic minorities and women in these positions, especially in Division III schools.

One way that the NCAA is addressing the lack of representation is by offering grants to students who have been accepted into a sports administration or related program and would like to pursue a career in sports administration, coaching, athletic training or other career paths that directly serve intercollegiate athletics.

Annually, NCAA awards $6,000 to 13 scholarships to ethnic minorities and 13 to female college graduates entering their first year of postgraduate study under the Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship for Careers in Athletics.

To qualify, students must not have begun their postgrad studies, must be a U.S. citizen and full-time student, must have performed well in their undergraduate studies, and must be able to show significant involvement in extracurricular activities and a commitment to pursuing a career in intercollegiate athletics.

Applications for the 2007-08 academic year are available now and are due December 7, 2006.