Replicating Inclusivity: The Relationship between Directors’ Cup Rankings and LQBTQI+ Inclusive NCAA Athletic Departments

AbstractThe replication of successful National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletic departments is commonly pursued through the targeted hiring of athletic administrators at successful athletic departments. The significance on replicating organizational success through this transfer of people is indicative of the emphases placed on winning and revenue acquisition distinct to collegiate athletic departments. During this transfer, athletic directors inherently infuse transferred organizational practices and logics into the replicating organization. Utilizing Directors’ Cup points as a determinant metric of success, this study examined the relationship between success in Division I collegiate athletics and athletic department inclusivity of LGBTQI+ members. Findings illustrated that inclusivity of LGBTQI+ members were a statistically significant predictor of Directors’ Cup Scores among NCAA Division I member institutions. Such findings are indicative of the importance in fostering an inclusive organizational environment relative to success in collegiate athletics. Further implications illustrate the positive perpetuation of LGBTQI+ inclusion through the attempted replication of successful collegiate athletic departments.