This biography of Prince Elmer Shotwell particularly emphasizes his contributions to Texas interscholastic athletics, to the University Interscholastic League, and to the Texas High School Coaches' Association. Data for this life study are from both primary and secondary sources, human and documentary as well. Shotwell's personal files and scrapbooks are used extensively, and supplementary data come from biographical data forms and tape-recorded personal interviews. The study includes biographical data of Shotwell's youth, educational background, marriage, and his endeavors in the teaching and coaching fields.The study discloses that Shotwell made contributions in various modes throughout his more than fifty years in the profession. Most of his professional endeavors were superimposed by his consistent personality traits of enthusiasm, industry, intensity, and persistence.

The Virginia High School League is a private, non-profit organization whose member schools include public high schools and one private school in the Commonwealth of Virginia (Virginia High School League Organization, 2015). This organization manages and supervises athletics and other extracurricular activities such as forensics, debate, drama and publications (Polakiewicz, 1985). The mission statement of the Virginia High School League is "The Virginia High School League is an alliance of Virginia's public and approved non-boarding, non-public high schools that promotes education, leadership, sportsmanship, character and citizenship for students by establishing and maintaining high standards for school activities and competitions" (Virginia High School League Handbook, 2016, p. 13). Since each state is responsible for establishing a system of supervision and oversight for regulating interscholastic athletics and activities, differences in the administrative structures among each state's athletic associations are inevitable. This dissertation contains court cases regarding interscholastic athletics, and their impact on state athletic associations. Current issues facing not only the Virginia High School League, but all state athletic associations are also examined in this dissertation. The survey results suggest that participants support the VHSL's authority to impose probation which would prohibit the participation of coaches and sponsors, member schools, and participants. Additionally, the survey results suggest that the majority of participants believe the VHSL is performing well and that home-schooled students should not be able to participate in VHSL athletics and activities. Moreover, survey participants identify the major issues they believe the VHSL will face in the next five to ten years, while also identifying organizational changes that the VHSL should make. / Ed. D. / The Virginia High School League (VHSL) is a private, non-profit organization in the Commonwealth of Virginia that manages and supervises athletics and other extracurricular activities for its member schools. This study focuses on court cases involving the Virginia High School League, and current issues impacting not only the VHSL, but all state athletic associations. A survey instrument was developed which included survey questions modeled after a study conducted in 1985 by Dr. Frank J. Polakiewicz titled ‘A Legal and Descriptive Analysis of the Authority, Governance, and Performance of the Virginia High School League, Inc.’ The survey instrument was distributed to all high school principals, high school athletic/activities directors, public school superintendents, public school board chairs, and selected legislators in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The survey results suggest that state educators are satisfied with the performance of the VHSL. The survey results also suggest recommendations for the VHSL to consider.

A review of the literature indicates that there has been no previous studies on Virginia Athletic Directors (ADs) and their knowledge of school law. Several researchers have studied other educators' knowledge of school law. In general, previous studies on educators' knowledge of school law demonstrates that educators do not have a comprehensive working knowledge of school law. ADs differ from those studied previously due to the lack of unified certification requirements for ADs in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This study was designed to measure Virginia interscholastic ADs' knowledge of job related school law. In addition, the study analyzed the data for any significant relationships between ADs' knowledge of school law and other variables. Such variables include age, experience, size of school district, level of education, administration and supervision endorsement, type of legal training, methods for obtaining current school law information and/or updates, membership in professional organizations, national certification level. Of the 315 Virginia public high school Ads, 305 were surveyed and 140 responded, for a response rate of 45.9%. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA analysis. Statistical analysis revealed that ADs in larger schools scored significantly higher than ADs in smaller schools. Also, ADs with that possessed the 'Certified Athletic Administrator' (CAA) credential scored significantly higher than ADs that have not attained the CAA certification. Lastly, ADs that are members of both the state and national ADs association (VIAAA and NIAAA, respectively) scored significantly higher than ADs who are not members of both associations. / Ed. D. / There have been several past studies on various educators’ knowledge of school law. In general, these studies demonstrated that educators do not have a comprehensive working knowledge of school law. A review of the literature indicates no previous studies of Virginia Athletic Directors’ (ADs) knowledge of school law exist. ADs differ from those studied previously due to the lack of unified certification requirements for ADs in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This study measured Virginia interscholastic ADs’ knowledge of job-related school law. The study also analyzed data for any significant relationships between ADs’ knowledge of school law and other variables such as age, experience, size of school district, level of education, administration and supervision endorsement, type of legal training, methods for obtaining current school law information and/or updates, membership in professional organizations, national certification level. A total of 305 Virginia public school ADs were surveyed and 140 responded, for a response rate of 45.9%. Statistical analysis revealed that ADs in larger schools scored significantly higher than ADs in smaller schools. Also, ADs that possessed the “Certified Athletic Administrator” credential scored significantly higher than ADs that have not attained the certification. Lastly, ADs that are members of both the state and national AD associations scored significantly higher than ADs who are not members of both associations. The significant relationships found in the research can be used to help ADs become more legally literate. Such knowledge helps mitigate risk and safeguards those under the care and supervision of the AD.

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