Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
2023
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Education
First Advisor
Karen A Card
Abstract
The presence of Black football players in predominantly white institutions in athletic programs often highlights the racial disparities in college athletics. It is important to understand the dynamic discrepancies in the resources, support, and opportunities provided to Black football players to obtain success. This research examines the lived experiences of Black football players at a PWI located in the Midwest. Data was coded and analyzed into categories. There are six themes that emerged. 1. The attention to have academic focus. 2. The ability to maintain a connection and support from family and other important figures. 3. Constantly navigating microaggressions from peers. 4. Finding a sense of belonging. 5 Being true to themselves in obtaining a strong identity. 6. Finding resilience and integration. Results from this study provided evidence on lived experiences of Black football players, and how they make meaning of success on their campus. The findings revealed the university will need to implement several key factors to support, develop a sense of belonging, and integrate Black football players into the campus community. The recommended changes include the following, but are not limited to mentorships and building relationships, orientation, anti-racism training, and diverse hiring practices. Some examples are connecting with HBCUs to build relationships between their athletic programs for players to be successful. Second, create an advisory board of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds who can help guide recruitment efforts for Black football players into the university's athletics programs. If this path is followed, significant success will be upon these players.
Subject Categories
Educational Leadership
Keywords
Black football players, Institutional Suppot, Lived Expereinces, Perdominantly White Institutions, Sense of Belonging, Student Engagement
Number of Pages
121
Publisher
University of South Dakota
Recommended Citation
Blackburn, Mark, "CROSSING THE GOALLINE: IDENTIFYING THE SUCCESS OF BLACK FOOTBALL PLAYERS AT A PREDOMINANTLY WHITE INSTITUTION" (2023). Dissertations and Theses. 149.
https://red.library.usd.edu/diss-thesis/149