Interscholastic athletic participation has increased significantly over the last twenty years; with this increase the need for more and qualified coaches is necessary. The purpose of this study was to investigate, in the state of Virginia, the opinions of school superintendents, principals, and athletic coaches toward the practicality of requiring a coaching endorsement for high school coaches, analyze the professional preparation of high school coaches, and what criteria administrators utilize in the selection of coaches. The population of this research was randomly selected. A total of 315 administrators and 1469 coaches represented each of the three school enrollment divisions. The data received were arranged in tabular form and analyzed according to frequency, the chi-square procedure, and linkage analysis. The results suggested that: 1. Endorsement at this point in time is the ideal and not a reality. 2. The burden of ensuring a minimal level of competency will rest with the local school system, and with help from the state this could be accomplished by sponsoring inservice programs or requiring coaches to enroll in similar programs in colleges and universities. 3. Administrators should develop and use written qualifications and job analyses for head coaching positions. An intensive review of preparation, experiences, competences, and personality traits should be made prior to the coach's appointment. 4. Administrators and coaches agreed that the following areas of knowledge are necessary for coaches and should be included in a coaching curriculum: (a) care and prevention of athletic injuries, (b) skills and techniques of each sport, (c) rules interpretation of each sport coached, (d) sports physiology, (e) legal aspects of coaching, (f) coaching theory and strategy, (g) sports psychology, and (h) administrative skills. It may also be concluded that both groups, administrators and coaches, place a heavy emphasis upon the health and safety of each participant, as well as the teaching of proper skills to student athletes at all levels of competition. 5. The administrators indicated that there is a need for a college or university coaching preparation to improve the standards of coaching especially for academic teachers who desire to coach as well as teach in the classroom. 6. A physical education degree is not a necessary prerequisite for coaching; however, an assistant coaching position or an internship program and participation on an interscholastic and/or intercollegiate athletic team are considered important experiences for a coach to possess. / Ed. D.

The decrease of female coaches of female sports in Montgomery County, Virginia was studied. Data was obtained through the Virginia High School League Directory, supplemental duty records found at the Montgomery County School Board office and through the use of a questionnaire. Related research is presented showing a trend of the decrease of female coaches of female athletes and the increase of male coaches of female athletes at both the interscholastic and intercollegiate levels in states throughout the country. This paper introduces data showing a similar trend in the high schools of Montgomery County, Virginia where overall athletic opportunities have increased for high school females, but there has been a decrease of female coaches of female sports and an Increase of male coaches of female sports. Two main reasons given by the female coaches for leaving the coaching profession were the hours and teaching duties. Those schools involved in the study were Auburn High School, Blacksburg High School, Christiansburg High School and Shawsville High School. / Master of Science

Purpose of the Study Since 1977 the Virginia High School League (VHSL) has been the subject of reports, legislative agendas and resolutions introduced in the General Assembly. These documents raised several questions concerning the authority, structure and performance of the VHSL. The purpose of this study was to answer the following primary questions: 1. What is the legal source and basis of the VHSL's authority? 2. Who governs the VHSL? 3. Does the VHSL provide adequate due process? 4. What is the source of any dissatisfaction that may exist and how can such dissatisfaction be abated? Design of the Study The study consisted of two phases. The first involved the research and analysis of state statutes and case law related to the administration of interscholastic athletics, and a review of the handbooks of selected state athletic associations. The second phase was the design, construction and implementation of a survey to determine and compare the opinions of a sample of principals, local superintendents, local school board chairmen and legislators concerning the authority, governance and performance of the VHSL. The data were analyzed using the cross-tabs and frequencies commands available on SPSS-X. Conclusions 1. Based upon their implied authority to implement rules and regulations necessary to supervise the schools within their jurisdictionL . local school boards have delegated the administration of interscholastic athletics to the VHSL. 2. The VHSL is governed by the principals of the member schools, but avenues of participation do exist for local school boards, the state department of education and others. 3. The due process provided by the VHSL satisfies any requirement that may exist . concerning the provision of either substantive or procedural due process. 4. The respondents were satisfied with the performance of the VHSL, but authority and power was a source of dissatisfaction. Most high school principals believe the VHSL should be able to pass regulations binding upon local school boards, but the remainder of respondents disagreed. Most local school board chairmen believe they have no input into the formulation of VHSL policy, but believe they should be actively involved in the governance of the VHSL. Principals disagreed and stated th~t local school boards should have an advisory role. 5. If the dissatisfaction of local school board members is not abated, the VHSL will be made accountable to local school boards by the concerted action of the local school boards or the General Assembly. The VHSL could reduce existing dissatisfaction by increasing the participation of local school boards in the governance of the VHSL within the existing structure of the VHSL. Most respondents did not favor the intervention of state agencies. / Ed. D.