Few studies have focused on faculty perceptions of intercollegiate athletics (Cockley & Roswal, 1994). Further knowledge of faculty satisfaction with intercollegiate athletics will help lead the reform effort needed to reestablish the academic integrity that has been tarnished by the practices and behaviors of those involved in managing college athletics (Kuga, 1996).

The purpose of this study was to examine faculty satisfaction with intercollegiate athletics at 25 randomly selected NCAA Division III institutions. The unit of analysis was faculty members who responded to the Faculty Satisfaction with Intercollegiate Athletics Survey in the fall of 2010.

Approximately two thirds of the respondents (62.5%) indicated being somewhat satisfied or very satisfied in the athletic program at their institution. Faculty with "more than 8 years" experience had the highest satisfaction mean scores while those with tenure had higher satisfaction scores than those without tenure. Experience as a Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) prompted higher satisfaction scores when compared to faculty with no FAR experience. Participation in high school or college athletics did not produce a difference in overall satisfaction among faculty. Men were typically more satisfied than women with athletics while faculty who attended more athletic events or were more knowledgeable about athletics had higher satisfaction scores. Older faculty had higher satisfaction scores, and faculty who had more interaction and contact with athletes also had higher mean satisfaction scores.

From the regression analysis, faculty perceptions of academic oversight and faculty governance consistently revealed a positive relationship with faculty satisfaction with intercollegiate athletics. Typically, academic oversight was more influential on overall faculty satisfaction with athletics than faculty governance, except for women. Faculty age also produced a positive relationship with satisfaction with athletics.

Finally, the findings of this study could provide valuable information to faculty, administrators, and governing bodies in efforts to improve higher education and the athletic environment at NCAA Division III institutions. This study did not explore all variables collected by the NCAA Division III Faculty Satisfaction with Intercollegiate Athletics Survey. In addition to faculty satisfaction with athletics, several other areas may be studied in the future. Future study may address perspectives of student athletes, athletic directors, coaches, and presidents.