Deviant Exploitation of Black Male Student Athletes on White Campuses

Abstract

Considering exploitation—regardless of whether it takes place at the organizational level or individual level—as inherently deviant, this article examines different types of exploitations experienced by black male football and basketball student athletes (BSAs) on predominantly white campuses over the last five decades by utilizing a five-point hypothetical framework. The study findings are in agreement with those of prior studies conducted in this area by sports scholars and sociologists. Additionally, this study finds that the exploitation is embedded in social class differences as well as in racial ideology and discrimination.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Komanduri S. Murty

KOMANDURI S. MURTY, Ph.D., is a Professor of Sociology in the Department of Behavioral Science at Fort Valley State University. He is the author or co-author of five books; over 60 book chapters and articles, which have appeared in numerous books and journals; and, presented more than 90 articles at professional meetings—nationally and internationally. He received the 2005 Aldridge McMillan award for Outstanding Overall Achievement at Clark Atlanta University and 2012 Outstanding Scholar award from Fort Valley State University. His interests include quantitative criminology, demography, political sociology, race relations, and research methods.

Julian B. Roebuck

JULIAN B. ROEBUCK is a retired Professor of Criminal Justice from Clark Atlanta University. He also taught at the University of North Alabama, the University of Maryland, San Jose State University, Arkansas State University, the University of Texas at El Paso, and Mississippi State University. The founding president of the Mid-South Sociological Society, he authored or co-authored a dozen books, numerous journal articles, and research reports on various topics including but not limited to deviance, corruption, corrections, and race relations.