Risk management practices in high school athletic departments

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine risk management practices of high school athletic directors. A 30-question survey was sent to 463 athletic directors in Minnesota. A total of 116 athletic directors responded electronically to the survey for a 25% response rate. The study revealed that the majority (56%) of athletic directors in Minnesota did not have a written risk management plan. Although most athletic directors in Minnesota agreed that a written risk management plan would make conditions safer (92%), 26.3% lacked time to develop and implement a plan, 20.8% lacked expertise, and 19.7% perceived no need for a plan. In addition, athletic directors lacked knowledge of standards in risk management to develop, implement, and manage a plan. Athletic administrators can use the findings to educate districts and coaches on the importance of developing, implementing, and managing a risk management plan. Further research is needed to determine if similar problems with written risk management plans exist elsewhere in the United States.