Your Task: This should feel like the beginnings of the central thesis of your research.
At this point, you have a general understanding of the history of your university. Now you will
take a deeper dive and answer the questions listed below. Make sure to answer ALL of the
questions and use sources to support your research. Remember, you can also reach out to the institution to help guide your research (your professors are
here to help and can direct you to potential administrators at your institution). Be cautious of using “fluff” information. Stick to the facts!
Paper Format:
Paper must follow APA format (Times New Romans, 12 font)
Length: 5 pages (Be concise)
Answer these questions based around the University of Southern California Athletic Department -
- Take a deeper dive into where the athletic department subsidies are coming
from—what can you learn from journalistic reporting on this? How do these
compare to the national averages? Conference averages? Are there other
benchmarks? - The expectations of the current Athletics Director as defined in recent news
articles, online bios or other publicly available information; - University President's Goals for Athletics program (if available)
- Athletic Director's Goals for the Athletic program (hopefully available)
- Cursory analysis of Gender and Racial composition of Athletics Director, all
Head Coaches and President; (you may make your best judgment) - Any legal issues involving coaches or student athletes in the last 5 years;
- In your research, could you ascertain if this institution is using athletics as part of
its branding, enrollment or fundraising goals? If so, please describe. If not, why
do you think they aren’t? - Can you assess the kind of academic advising the department provides for student
athletes? Ratio of counselors to student athletes? - Have any programs been suspended or eliminated in the last 5 years?
- Can you find out who the athletic director reports to?
Sample Solution