The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions of the presidents at Division I Jesuit institutions relating to the governance, policies, and culture of intercollegiate athletics on their respective campuses.

This study was conducted by soliciting information from the 19 Jesuit institutions that provide Division I athletics to undergraduate students. A survey was developed and sent to a pilot group that refined and approved the survey instrument. A request to fill out the 47-question survey was then sent to the individual presidents. The request guided the Presidents to an on-line web-based survey that had both open and closed ended questions. Of the 19 Presidents that were requested to fill out the survey 15 complied and filled out the survey. The responses were then tabulated and analyzed for commonalities and differences among the respondents. Conclusions and recommendations were then drawn based upon the data collected.

There were several areas of strong consensus among the Presidents. Those areas related to the following components of a university: (a) building of campus life; (b) marketing; (c) alumni; (d) athletic boards; (e) sportsmanship; (f) finances; (g) diversity; and (h) presidential control of athletics.

There were also several areas where the presidents were in disagreement as it related to the following components of a university: (a) tenure, as it related to coaches; (b) attainment of advance degrees for coaches; and (c) academic credit for Physical Education classes.

The survey also revealed that contrary to some common held beliefs, the Presidents were not in consensus when it came to the following areas of intercollegiate athletics: (a) the ability of the department to generate revenue; (b) importance of a winning record; and (c) the use of student activity fees.

It is recommended that an engaged dialogue take place between athletic directors and Presidents to specifically identify the expectations of the Presidents. The Presidents ought to take on the primary responsibility of the athletic department to ensure institutional control. The study concludes with recommendations on codes of conduct, marketing, support of NCAA legislation affecting Jesuit schools, collaboration with other Jesuit schools, financial aid and institutional marketing.