| This quantitative, descriptive study investigated the relationship between female high school sports participation and executive leadership in adulthood. The study focused on sports, which traditionally foster traits thought to be masculine, such as competition, performance, strength, power, dominance, and winning. It showed that in the American culture, sports are not an automatic option for females as they always have been for males. Discussed are the inequities in corporate America where women still meet the glass ceiling, leading to their underrepresentation in senior management positions. Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funds, created more opportunities for female sports participation. Identified, measured, analyzed, and evaluated are high school sports participation, educational attainment, and age groupings as they relate to the benefits of Title IX. A sample of 299 female executives from CREW, the Atlanta, GA, chapter of the national association of Commercial Real Estate Women, completed two questionnaires: the Sports Participation Questionnaire (SPQ) and the Female Executive Leadership and Sports Questionnaire (FELSQ). All were scored for outcomes of years of sports participation in high school and the participants' opinion of whether participation in high school sports had prepared them for executive leadership in adulthood. A chi-square test was used to examine the relationship.; No significant relationship was found between high school sports participation and holding executive leadership positions in adulthood. The findings also showed no significant relationship between the variables, education and age grouping as related to Title IX, and executive leadership position in adulthood. This study, however, does point out one possible preparatory avenue for young women to attain executive positions, and in doing so, it makes a contribution to the areas of sports and management. More research is needed in this area to promote a pervasive understanding and acceptance of equity for women in sports and in executive leadership positions. |
