Preconference

The Cold Hard Truth: Confronting Race and Ethnicity in College Athletics

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Abstract

Over the last thirty years, Black males have held a dominant role in intercollegiate athletics, particularly at major Division I institutions. Thus, there is a widely held belief that athletics is the primary way for Black males to succeed in life. This is largely due to their socialization and the lack of exposure to other viable options. As a result, this particular population represents the overwhelming number of student-athletes in football and basketball at major Division I institutions. The purpose of this presentation is three-fold: (1) to give a historical analysis of the relationship Black males have with higher education and college athletics; (2) to examine the tradition of marginalization, racism, and exploitation that is still present and prevalent in intercollegiate athletics in America; (3) and discuss solutions that address Black males well-being regarding their experiences at colleges and universities across the United States. It is our goal to help attendees consider how institutions of higher education can adequately prepare studentathletes, especially Black male student-athletes, for productive citizenship and confront issues of race and ethnicity within intercollegiate athletics.