Athletic Voices and Academic Victories: African American Male Student-Athlete Experiences in the Pac-Ten

Journal of Sport and Social Issues, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 131-153, 2010

24 Pages Posted: 1 Oct 2010

See all articles by Brandon E. Martin

Brandon E. Martin

University of Southern California

Keith Harrison

University of Central Florida

Jeffrey Stone

University of Arizona

Suzanne Malia Lawrence

Azusa Pacific University

Date Written: September 29, 2010

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore participants’ academic experiences and confidence about their academic achievement. Participants (N=27) consisted of high-achieving African American male student-athletes from four academically rigorous American universities in the Pac-Ten conference. Most of the participants competed in revenue-generating sports and were interviewed to obtain a deeper understanding of their successful academic experiences. Utilizing a phenomenological approach four major themes emerged: “I Had to Prove I’m Worthy,” “I’m a Perceived Threat to Society,” “It’s About Time Management,” and “It’s About Pride and Hard Work.” Stereotype threat and stereotype reactance are investigated in relation to findings. Recommendations for scholars practitioners that work with student-athletes are also articulated

Keywords: Athlete, African American, Student-Athlete, Academic

Suggested Citation

Martin, Brandon E. and Harrison, Keith and Stone, Jeffrey and Lawrence, Suzanne Malia, Athletic Voices and Academic Victories: African American Male Student-Athlete Experiences in the Pac-Ten (September 29, 2010). Journal of Sport and Social Issues, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 131-153, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1684924 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1684924

Brandon E. Martin

University of Southern California ( email )

2250 Alcazar Street
Los Angeles, CA 90089
United States

Keith Harrison (Contact Author)

University of Central Florida ( email )

4000 Central Florida Blvd
Orlando, FL 32816-1400
United States

Jeffrey Stone

University of Arizona ( email )

Department of History
Tucson, AZ 85721
United States

Suzanne Malia Lawrence

Azusa Pacific University ( email )

Azusa, CA 91702-7000
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
86
Abstract Views
683
Rank
527,956
PlumX Metrics