The need is there. Just a quarter of the women and minority collegiate athletics staff seeking the Big East Professional Development Grant for Women and Ethnic Minorities received funding this year. Now, advocates hope the program, which they say demonstrates a commitment to diversity, can set an example that other Division I conferences will follow.

“Women and minorities are underrepresented in administration in athletics,” says 2006 grant recipient Maisha Palmer, athletic academic advisor/life skills coordinator at Rutgers University. “It’s important for the Big East to continue to sponsor programs like this that give the tools and the resources for minorities and women to advance themselves and get out there and advocate to college presidents and athletic directors to really expand their searches when they’re filling senior positions.”

Floyd A. Keith, executive director of the Black Coaches and Administrators, offers a similar sentiment. “I believe initiatives such as the Big East Development Program for Females and Ethnic Minorities are of great value,” he says. “This program, and similar programs instituted by other conferences, at the very least, will increase the numbers in the pipeline, promote networking and create professional development.”

With 16 member institutions, the Big East is the largest conference in NCAA Division I athletics, including the University of Connecticut, DePaul University, Notre Dame University, the University of Pittsburgh, Rutgers University and Seton Hall University. Developed by the Senior Woman Administrator committee, the grant program provides a total of $8,000 for the professional growth activities of assistant coaches, athletic directors and sports information officers aspiring to go further. The money can be used for leadership development seminars, conferences and other development activities.

Each applicant must note what career path they’re looking to follow and explain how the grant money will be used to further that goal, says Mia Brickhouse, assistant director of sport administration for the Big East, who puts together application packages for them. The maximum amount any individual can receive is $2,000, regardless of the cost of the program.