| The purpose of this study was to compare the director of player personnel/development's educational experiences, background experiences, and job responsibilities and the general manager's perceptions of the director of player personnel/development's educational experiences, background experiences, and job responsibilities. This study also compared the director of player personnel/development's and the general manager's recommendations on preparatory courses for those seeking to attain the position, director of player personnel/development.;A questionnaire was developed and mailed to 134 potential subjects. Fifty-four directors of player personnel/development and 80 general managers employed in the National Football League, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, and the Major League Baseball Association. Fifty-seven questionnaires were returned, 28 from the directors of player personnel/development and 29 from the general managers.;The results of the study indicated that the majority of the general managers expected the director of player personnel/development to have earned a bachelor's degree. The majority of the directors of player personnel/development who participated in this study either met or exceeded this requirement.;The majority of the general managers indicated that the three most expected background experiences of the director of player personnel/development were (a) director of scouting, (b) personnel scout, and (c) assistant coach on the professional level. These three background experiences were also the most frequently held background experiences by the majority of the directors of player personnel/development.;The majority of both groups rated the job responsibilities within the areas of (a) labor relations, (b) financial management, (c) administration, and (d) personnel evaluations as moderately high in importance. The majority of the directors of player personnel/development rated the job responsibilities within the area of public relations as moderately low in importance, while the majority of the general managers rated these job responsibilities as moderately high in importance. The majority of both groups recommended that individuals interested in pursuing careers as directors of player personnel/development should take courses from primarily four areas: (a) business/management, (b) sport administration, (c) exercise science, and (d) marketing. |
