Race in Pads and Race in Class: An Examination of Identity and Perceptions of Stereotypes and Racial Discrimination among African American Male College Athletes

Abstract

The state of African Americans in intercollegiate athletics is an issue that has caught the attention of scholars and researchers alike, with one of the most discussed topics revolving around stereotypes and racial discrimination in intercollegiate athletics (e.g., ; ). The current study examined the extent of stereotypes and racial discrimination experienced by African American male student-athletes (n  =  168) at Division I predominately White institutions (PWIs). Furthermore, potential identity factors which might predict perceptions of stereotypes and racial discrimination were explored. Results indicated that participants report experiencing racial stereotyping in an academic setting, but racial discrimination was not as prevalent in an athletic setting. Moreover, the study found that the racial identity variables of centrality and the public regard were significant predictors of racial stereotypes and racial discrimination. Findings are discussed and contextualized within the larger body of literature examining the intercollegiate experiences of African American male student-athletes.

Keywords:

• stereotypes
• student-athletes
• discrimination
• college athletics

The author would like to thank Jennifer Bruening, Janet Fink, Laura Burton, Robert Colbert and C. Keith Harrison for their assistance and insight into the writing of this manuscript.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rhema D Fuller

Rhema Fuller is an Assistant Professor in the Business Department at Alfred State College in Alfred, New York. His research interests include matters of race and sport and sport-based youth development. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Rhema Fuller, Business Department, Alfred State College, 10 Upper College Drive, Alfred NY, 14802. Email: [email protected]