Trine University has contracted with MKDA Consultants to investigate the gender diversity of their coaching staff and recommend ways to improve equality in light of concerns about the ratio of female to male head coaches. Currently, Trine has three female head coaches out of 20 total sports programs, and six women's programs are led by male coaches. MKDA interviewed Regina, a coach from the University of Minnesota, who recommended that universities proactively reach out to women and minority candidates during hiring searches. She also stressed the importance of hiring women as assistant coaches to gain experience and allowing potential to be considered beyond just qualifications on paper during the hiring process.

1. Gender Equity Strategies and Recommendations Prepared by MKDA Consultants

2. Executive Summaries Mircea Handru is an assistant soccer coach at Tiffin University in Tiffin, Ohio. A native of Romania, he’s played, coached and referred youth, collegiate and semi-professional soccer. He’s been actively involved in youth sports and part of the Ohio North Olympic Developmental Staff. Dean Jackson is the sports information director at Trine University in Angola, Indiana. With more than 20 years experience as writer and broadcaster he’s covered thousands of live events in the United States and Puerto Rico. Keiana Mitchell in addition to success as a youth and high school player was a four year soccer player at Ohio State. She also was named to the Big Ten academic all-conference team and was an OSU Scholar-Athlete. Additionally she has coached more than 150 female soccer players and has served as an intern at the Women’s Sports Foundation and the University of Minnesota. Alexander Scott is an Information Technology consultant working largely with non-profit organizations around Washington D.C. He’s also a personal trainer and a strength coach. He has extensive experience in coaching youth sports. He is married with four children.

3. Background Trine University has contacted with MKDA to investigate the gender diversity of their coaching staff and to determine a appropriate response to their concern. The board of trustees is concerned that the ratio of female head coaches to male coaches should be more reflective of society and proactively be more reflective of Title IX regulations. Trine University, an NCAA Division III program has 20 sports. The school currently has three female head coaches to 16 male coaches. At this time, one program, women’s lacrosse is without a head coach. Six women’s programs are lead by male coaches. Trine has expressed a commitment to become a leader in gender equality in Division III athletics, while hiring the best coaches – regardless of their gender – to lead their programs. Trine is compliant legally and attitudinally to field teams that adhere to the spirit of Title IX legislation, while maintaining competitive balance and building educational opportunities on the field, the classroom and in their fields of study.

4. Survey Results

5. Survey Results

6. Survey Results

7. In the Field-Interview Regina: I believe that in the hiring search you have to be more proactive. Here at Minnesota we try to make contact with a number of women and minorities in addition to the regular hiring process. Also, we need to encourage women to apply for jobs since statistics show that they self-select themselves out of positions.

8. In the Field-Interview Me: Do you have any other suggestions on how to improve upon equality in the athletic department? Regina: I think it is important to hire women as assistant coaches so that they have the opportunity to work under successful coaches and programs. It is also very important during the hiring process to see the potential in a candidate and to not always equivocate what is on paper to the success of a hiring candidate.