B. David Ridpath

Biography

Dr. B. David Ridpath, Ed.D, is beginning his second decade as a tenured faculty member with Ohio University and its prestigious Sports Administration Program as a Professor of Sports Business. Prior to Ohio, he was an Assistant Professor of Sport Administration at Mississippi State University and has over 15 years of practical experience in intercollegiate athletics in administrative and coaching capacities at Marshall University, Weber State University and Ohio University. Dr. Ridpath is often cited by major worldwide media outlets such as the New York Times, Time Magazine, CNN and ESPN as an expert on NCAA and intercollegiate athletic matters due to his research and practical experience in the industry. Dr. Ridpath has appeared before Congressional committees and has served as an expert witness in numerous cases involving intercollegiate athletics and college athlete rights. An accomplished researcher, he has authored over 30 academic journal articles, 10 academic book chapters and monographs and two books. His latest book Alternative Models of Sport Development in America: Solutions to a Crisis in Education and Public Health published by Ohio University Press/Swallow Books is available at all major bookstores and online outlets.

See David Ridpath's Curriculum Vitae for additional information

Education

• EdD, Doctor of Education, Higher Education Administration, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, 2002. (Dissertation Title: “NCAA Division I Student Athlete Characteristics as Indicators of Academic Achievement and Graduation,” Major-Educational Leadership, Minor-Sport Management.)
• MSA, Master's of Sports Administration and Facility Management, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, 1995
• BA, Bachelor's of Arts, Speech Communication, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, 1990

Research Interests

The study of intercollegiate athletics administration, governance, rules compliance with an emphasis on student athlete academic achievement and graduation rates. Also study the ethics and components of the NCAA legislative, enforcement, and governance process and the intersection of educationally-based sport development and delivery in the US with other developmental programs throughout the world.

Professional Experience

• Professor of Sports Business, Ohio University, 2021-Present
• Associate Professor of Sports Business, Ohio University, 2018-2021
• Associate Professor of Sports Administration and Kahandas Nandola Professor of Sport Management, Ohio University, 2012-2018
• Assistant Professor of Sports Business, Ohio University, 2006-2012
• Assistant Professor of Sports Management, Mississippi State University, 2004-2006
• Director of Judicial Programs, Marshall University, Nov. 2001-July 2004
• Assistant Athletic Director, Compliance and Student Services, Marshall University, 1997-2001
• Director of Athletic Compliance/Event and Facilities Manager, Weber State University, 1995-1997

Selected Publications

• Knoester, C., Ridpath, B. and Allison, R. (Spring 2022). Should athletes be allowed to protest during the national anthem? An analysis of public opinions among U.S. adults. Sociology of Sport Journal. 39(1):23-34.
• Buser, M., Woratshek, H. & Ridpath, B. (October, 2021). Fantasy Sports and Strategic Gamification Marketing in the United States. Sport, Business and Management, an International Journal. Vol. 11. Issue 5, pp. 575-597.
• Strehlow, S., Foster, S.J., Stokowski, S., Ridpath, B., Singer, J.N., & Blunt-Vinti, H. (November, 2021). NCAA Division I Student-Athletes’ Self-Perception: Using Race and Ethnicity as a Construct. Journal of Athlete Development and Education. Vol. 3, Issue 3, pp. 150-169.
• Allison, R., Knoester, C. & Ridpath, B. (June, 2021). Public Opinions about Paying College Athletes and Athletes Protesting During the National Anthem: A Focus on Race/Ethnicity and Political Identities. The DuBois Review: Social Science Research on Race. Vol. 19, Issue 1. pp. 1-23.
• Knoester, C. & Ridpath, B. (2021). Should College Athletes be Allowed to be Paid? A Public Opinion Analysis. Sociology of Sport Journal. Issue 1, pp. 1-13
• Yandle, C., Stokowski, S. & Ridpath, B. (Oct/Nov. 2020). An Academic Rollercoaster: A Phenomenological Study of NCAA Division I Football. Journal of NCAA Compliance. pp. 3-4; 13-21.
• Stroebel, T., Ridpath, B., Pfahl, M., O’Reilly, N., Buser, M. & Woratshek, H. (2020, October). Co-Branding Through an International Double Degree Program-A Single Case Study in Sport Management Education. Sport Management Education Journal Special Issue on Global Perspectives in Sport Management Education. Vol. 14, No. 2., pp. 119-128.
• Gurney, G., Rubin, L., Stokowski, S. & Ridpath, B. (2020, May/June). The Original Sin of College Sports: Presidents’ Inconsistent Use of Special Admissions. Journal of NCAA Compliance. pp. 3-4; 12-19.
• Smolianov, P., O’Connor, C., Stone, Ridpath, B., N., Dion, S., Schoen, C., Brophy-Miles, K. &. (2020, Summer/Online Scholastica). Comparing the Practices of US Golf against a Global Model for Integrated Development of Mass and High Performance Sport.
• Ridpath, B., Harris, S., Smolianov, P., Ishac, W., & Akindes, G. (2019). Case Studies of Worldwide Sport Development Systems and Access to Education. World Innovation Summit on Education (WISE). Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development
• Ridpath, B., Rudd A. & Stokowski, S. "Perceptions of European Athletes That Attend American Colleges and Universities for Elite Athletic Development and Higher Education Access". Journal of Global Sport Management (Accepted for publication, Fall 2019 issue).
• Rudd A. & Ridpath, B. Education Versus Athletics: What Will Division I Football and Basketball Players Choose? Journal of Amateur Sport (Accepted for publication, May 2019 issue).
• Tudor, M. & Ridpath, B. Does Gender Significantly Predict Academic and Athletic Motivation among NCAA Division I College Athletes? Journal of Higher Education Athletics and Innovation (Accepted for publication in the Spring 2019 issue).
• Tudor, M & Ridpath, B. (2018). Does the Perceived Motivational Climate significantly Predict Academic and/or Athletic Motivation among NCAA Division I College Athletes? Journal of Contemporary Athletics. Vol. 12, Issue 4, pp 291-307.
• Ridpath, B., Smith, J., Garrett, D. & Robe, J. Shaping Policy and Practice in Intercollegiate Athletics: A Study of Student Perceptions of Resource Allocation for Athletics and its Effect on Affordability of Higher Education.  The Journal of Sport. Vol. 4, Issue 1, July 2015, pp. 19-46.
• Ridpath, B. Outlook: The Real March Madness. Why finally reforming college sports may require Congress—or the courts—to act? Currents Magazine: Council for Advancement and Support in Education (CASE). March 2014 Issue.
• Ridpath, B., Chapman, M. & Denhart, M. An Examination of Increased NCAA Division I Athletic Department Budgets: A Case Study of Student Perceptions of Fee Allocations for Athletics. International Journal of Sport Management. Vol. 15, Issue 1, Jan. 2014, pp. 25-48.
• Ridpath, B. Amateurism Must Die and We Must be Prepared. Journal of NCAA Compliance. July-August 2013.
• Ridpath, B., Fattlar, D. & Yiamouyiannis, A.  An Examination of NCAA Athletic Department Revenues and Expenditures and Their Effect on Athletic Success in a Mid-Major Athletic Conference. The Journal of Sport. Vol. 1, Issue 1, Summer 2012, pp. 57-93.
• Ridpath, B., Perceptions of NCAA Division I Athletes on Motivations and Individual Desire Concerning the use of Specialized Academic Support Services in the Era of the Academic Progress Rate. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics. (Winter 2011)
• Ridpath, B., Zullo, R. & Gill, N. Gender as an Indicator of Academic Progress and Graduation for NCAA Division I Athletes. Athletic Academic Journal. The National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) Journal. Fall 2009 Issue.
• Ridpath, B., Lawrence, H., Yiamouyiannis, A. & Galles, K. Changing Sides: The Failure of the Wrestling Communities Challenges to Title IX and New Strategies for Saving NCAA Sport Teams. The Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, December 2008, Vol. 1, Issue 
• Ridpath, B. Can the Faculty Reform Intercollegiate Athletics. The Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, Spring 2008.
• Ridpath, B., Southall, R. & Nagel, M. New Rules for a New Ballgame: Legislative and Judicial Rationales for Revamping the NCAA’s Enforcement Process. The Entertainment and Sports Law Journal Symposium Issue on College Sports and the Law. Spring 2008.
• Ridpath, B, Kiger. J., Mak, J., Eagle, T., & Letter, G. Factors that Influence the Academic Progress and Graduation of NCAA Division I Athletes. Sport Management and Related Topics Journal (SMART) Fall 2007, Volume 4, Issue 1. 
• Ridpath, B., College Athlete’s Perception of Coach’s Emphasis on Academic Progress and Graduation. Sport Management and Related Topics Journal (SMART). Fall 2006, Volume 3, Issue 1
• Staurowsky, E. & Ridpath, B. The Case for a Minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average for College Athletic Eligibility. (Winter 2005 Symposium Issue). The Journal of Law and Sport. 

Books and Book Chapters

• Porto, B., Gurney, G., Lopiano, D., Ridpath, B.D., Sack, A., Sommer, J., Willingham, M. & Zimbalist, A. (2021). Compensation of College Athletes including Revenues Earned from Commercial use of their Names, Images, Likenesses (NILs) and Outside Employment. Chapter-Whither College Sports: Amateurism, Athlete Safety and Academic Integrity. Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, NJ. pp. 281-306.
• Smolianov, P., Gronkjaer, A., Ridpath, B. & Dolmatova, T. in Andersen, P., Hansen, S. & Houlihan, B., eds. (2021). Embedded Multi-Level Leadership in Elite Sport. Chapter- USA and Leadership in Elite Ice Hockey. Routledge/Taylor-Francis, New York. pp. 184-204
• Ridpath, B. in Popp, B., Horbel, C. & Roth, S., eds. (2020). Perspektiven des Dienstleistungsmanagements. Chapter- American and European Sport Governance: Differences, Commonalities and the Future. Springer Gabler, Wiesbaden, Germany. pp. 479-497.
• Ridpath, B. (Spring 2018). Alternative Models of Sports Development and Delivery in America: Proposed Solutions to Combat a Crisis in Education and Public Health. Ohio University Press and Swallow Books, Athens, OH.
• Lee, J.W., Polite, F.G., Waller, S., & Ridpath, B. in Lee, J. & Hardin, R., eds. (2015). Policy and Governance in Sport: Issues, Organizations, and Practical Application; Chapter 10: Human Rights, Fairness, and Personal Freedoms in Sport: Further Perspectives. Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press.
• Ridpath, B. (2015). Introduction to Intercollegiate Athletics in American Higher Education-Recruiting Chapter. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
• Ridpath, B. in Sailes, G. ed. (2013/ Revised 2017). Sports in Higher Education: Issues and Controversies in College Athletics: Chapter 3, The Administration and Governance of Intercollegiate Athletics. San Diego, CA: Cognella.
• Ridpath, B. (2012). Tainted Glory: Marshall University, The NCAA, and One Man’s Fight for Justice. Published and Grant Funded by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. iUniverse Publishing.
• Ridpath,B. & Abney, R. in McClellan, G., King, C. & Rockey, D. (2012). The Handbook of College Athletics and Recreation Administration: Chapter 7-Governance of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
• Ridpath, B. (2011). Encyclopedia of Sport Management and Marketing: Chapter-Contracts/Venue. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Published Monographs

• Ridpath, B., Harris, S., Smolianov, P., Ishac, W., & Akindes, G. (2019, Fall). Case Studies of Worldwide Sport Development Systems and Access to Education. World Innovation Summit on Education (WISE). Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.
• Kahler, J., Ridpath, B., Moran, P., Pfahl, M. & Davis, C. The 2010 National Sports Forum Corporate and Industry Survey. The National Sports Forum, Seaver Marketing Group, 2010. 
• Kahler, J., Ridpath, B., Moran, P., Maestas, A.J., Francis, S., Payne, R., Migala, D. & Petzold, A. “Brought to you by…The 2008 National Sports Forum Corporate and Industry Survey. The National Sports Forum, Seaver Marketing Group, 2008. 

Other Publications/Editorials 

• Ridpath, B. & Winter, M. Direct Bargaining with Athletes is the Best Way Forward for College Sports. Sportico. July 6, 2022.
• Ridpath, B. Amid NCAA Revolution, Military Funding Option May Make Sense. Sportico. May 11, 2022.
• Ridpath, B. & Gurney, G. Professors Suggest NCAA Athlete Satisfaction Survey Is Not an Accurate Measure of College Athlete Outputs and Experiences. Journal of NCAA Compliance. July/Aug. 2020.
• Ridpath, B. (2020, June 17). How College Sports Can Survive. James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal.
• Ridpath, B. (2020). More Problems for Michigan State? Journal of NCAA Compliance. Jan/Feb 2020.
• Ridpath, B., Gurney, G. & Lopiano, D. (2019). Presidents Choose to Enable Academic Fraud in Athletics. Journal of NCAA Compliance. July/August 2019.
• Ridpath, B. NCAA's APR Release Should Be Looked At With A Very Skeptical Eye. Forbes SportsMoney Blog, May 10 2017.
• Ridpath, B. Part Time Students, Full Time College Athletes-Not A Bad Idea But Also Not A New One. Forbes SportsMoney Blog, January 19, 2017
• Gurney, G. & Ridpath, B. Why the NCAA Continues to Work Against Athletes’ Best Interests. Chronicle of Higher Education, February 29, 2016.
• Ridpath, B. North Carolina Major Infractions Case Takes Another Curious Turn. Forbes SportsMoney Blog, October 26, 2016.
• Ridpath, B. In College Sports it's either about Education or Free Market Economics-Not Both. Forbes SportsMoney Blog, September 25, 2015.
• Ridpath, B. Like it or Not, Ralph Nader is Right. College Sports Business News, Apr. 2011.
• Ridpath, B. Spotlight Shines on the Propriety of Student Fees for Sports. College Sports Business News, March 2011.
• Ridpath, B. New Approaches to Economic Realities and Enforcement of Title IX.  High School Today: The Voice of Education Based Athletics and Activities, November 2007.
• Ridpath, B. Force Fanatics: Who are they and why do they come? The Migala Report, July 12, 2007.
• Ridpath, B. NCAA News Editorial. Reform Effort Dismissed as Rhetoric. NCAA News, June 4, 2007.
• Ridpath, B. NBA Age Rule an Exercise in Futility. Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal, May 14-20, 2007.
• Ridpath, B. NCAA News Editorial. Don’t Mess with Post-Graduate Choices. NCAA News, July 17, 2006.
• Ridpath, B. NCAA News Editorial. Change not Dependent on Structure. NCAA News. June 20, 2005.
• Ridpath, B. The Way Things ought to be in College Sports. College Athletic Clips. March 31, 2005.
• Ridpath, B. Ridpath Argues NCAA Infractions and Enforcement Process IS Broken. Legal Issues in College Athletics and Sport Litigation Alert. October 28, 2004.
• Authored over 200 sports and feature articles for various media publications including the Dallas Morning News, Forbes SportsMoney Blog, the Rocky Mountain Collegian, and the Fort Collins Fitness Magazine. 

• Presentations

• Moleski, K., Ridpath, B. & Yang, L. Examining the Academic success of student athletes Participating in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). College Sports Research Institute Annual Conference, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, March 23-25, 2022.
• Moleski, K., Ridpath, B. & Yang, L. Factors Influencing the Recruitment and Retention of Minority Athletes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). College Sports Research Institute Annual Conference, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, March 23-25, 2022.
• Ridpath, B. Ethical Leadership in Sports. 1st International Conference on Ethics in Sport. University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, January 2, 2022.
• Smolianov P., Dolmatova, T., D’Amico, A., Schoen, C., Ridpath, B.D., Norberg-Morrissette, J., Dion, S., Boucher, C., Smith, J., O’Neill, S., Kozlowski, B., Brennan, T., Ulloa, T. US Wrestling System: Examining Macro-Level Practices Against a Global Model for Integrated Development of Mass and Elite Sport. Twelfth International Conference on Sport and Society. University of Granada, Spain, June 14, 2021.
• Knoester, C., Ridpath, B. & Allison A. “Should College Athletes be Allowed to be Paid? A Study of Factors That Influence Public Opinion on Paying College Athletes.” College Sports Research Institute Annual Conference, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, March 24-26, 2021. (Virtual Conference-Covid).
• Ridpath, B. “Alternative Models of Sport Development in America. Solutions to a Crisis in Education and Public Health.” 1st International Congress of Iranian Scientific Association of Sport Management. Tehran, Iran, March 2-3, 2021.
• Knoester, C. & Ridpath, B. “Should College Athletes be Allowed to be Paid? A Study of Factors That Influence Public Opinion on Paying College Athletes.” College Sports Research Institute Annual Conference, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, April 1-3, 2020. 
• Ridpath, B. “HR 5528-Can a Congressional Study Change Intercollegiate Athletics in America as the 1975 Amateur Sports Act Changed the Olympics.” College Sports Research Institute Annual Conference, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, April 1-3, 2020.
• Ridpath, B., Rudd, A. & Stokowski, S. Education v. athletics: What would NCAA Division I athletes choose? College Sports Research Institute Annual Conference, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, April 3-5, 2019
• Ridpath, B. Academic oversight of academic support functions for college athletes: A case study of a mid-major NCAA Division I institution. College Sports Research Institute Annual Conference, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, April 12-14, 2018.
• Ridpath, B, Johnson, R, Weight, E. and Gurney, G. Panel Presentation on College Sports Reform. College Sports Research Institute Annual Conference, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, April 12-14, 2018.
• Tunessen, D. & Ridpath, B. Sports Embedded in the United States Educational System – Is the System a Benefit or Burden to European Athletes? College Sports Research Institute Annual Conference, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, April 12-14, 2017.
• Ridpath, B., Husted, J., Hite, C., Snodgrass, J. & Grant, S. Pay to Play: Who's In, Who's Out and How Much Panel Discussion. Ohio State Sport and Society Initiative, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, February 26, 2016.
• Abromeit, T. & Ridpath, B. Analysis of Critical Success Factors for a Global Expansion of the National Football League in Europe. Play the Game 2017 Conference. Eindhoven, the Netherlands, November 28, 2015. 
• Ridpath, B. Alternative Models of Sports Development in America Outside of the Educational System: Can it Work to Prevent an Educational Crisis? Play the Game 2015 Conference. Aarhus, Denmark, October 28, 2015.

Service Areas

• Co-Editor, Journal of NCAA Compliance, 2020-Present
• President of The Drake Group, 2005-2008 & 2016-2018
• College of Business Faculty Senator, 2017-Present
• Co-Editor and Editorial Review Board, Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 2007-2014

Awards

• Keystroke Catalyst Award Winner (1200 plus media placements), Ohio University, 2016, 2020
• Keystroke Catalyst, top five award winner, Ohio University, 2015-2019, 2021-2022
• College of Business Outstanding Scholar Award, Ohio University, 2016-17
• Fulbright teaching and service scholarship, University of Bayreuth, Germany, 2014-15
• University College Outstanding University College Advocate, Ohio University 2011
• Dr. James A. Lavery Scholarship Award Winner, Ohio University, 1995
• ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate, Colorado State University, 1990
• ROTC Distinguished Military Student, Colorado State University, 1986-1990
• Honor Graduate, Army ROTC Advanced Camp, Fort Lewis, WA, 1986
• Region Commanders Leadership Award, Army ROTC, Colorado State University, 1986