The Impact of Influential Others on the Sport Participation Patterns of African American Female Student-Athletes

Abstract

In examining how Black women develop their sport identities, the current study involved focus group and individual interviews with 14 African American female National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I collegiate student-athletes. The researchers present data on the presence of influential others in the lives of the participants and the impact of factors such as economics, geography, and media coverage. Findings on the role of influential others were analyzed specifically to illumine the differing influence of a role models compared to that of a mentors as well as the race and gender dynamics involved. The interpretation of the results is focused on the current channels through which African American women are exposed to sport. Implications are made as they relate to Sport Management Research, Higher Education and Women in Collegiate Sport.