Publications
Don’t believe the hype: Do the automatic suspensions of student-athletes for alleged misconduct withstand constitutional scrutiny?
An examination of compliance with due process rights of student-athletes at state colleges and universities in regards to I) case law related to due process and student discipline, II) controversial cases involving alleged student-athlete misconduct, III) whether or not automatic suspensions of student-athletes for alleged misconduct meet constitutional muster, and IV) further recommendations.
The image of Paul Robeson: Role model for the student and the athlete
This paper examines the life of Paul Robeson as a scholar-athlete, law student, and professional football player. The themes of Robeson as an ultimate image of labor and leisure will be linked to the contemporary paradigm in education, race and sports. This context of youth (especially black male youth) and their career aspirations will intersect with popular culture, representation and intercollegiate athletics. It will be argued in this paper that Paul Robeson was exemplary of the benefits of a well-rounded and balanced life of academics and athletics. Today, the paradigm of the black athletic hero is one of material consumption and scholar-athleticism is limited in media representations, as well as institutionally neglected contemporary intercollegiate structure.
African American Racial Identity and Sport
Historically the African American over-representation in particular sports phenomena has been examined genetically, anthropocentrically, physiologically, sociologically, and psychologically. This paper examines this phenomena in a different perspective, engaging the Cross model of African American racial identity development and gives implications for the development of sport and physical activity in African American youth.
Balancing academic and athletic success: A chronicle of African American male student-athletes’ involvement in higher education
Identification and analysis of distinct time periods from the late nineteenth century on where African American student-athletes has successfully balanced the commitment to both academic and athletic prowess and how they benefited from the opportunities afforded through higher education despite often negative environmental and social factors.
Black Athletes at the Millennium
An analysis and response to not ed sport sociologist Professor Henry Edwards’ theories, insights, and solutions on Black male participation in sport at the brink of the millennium. This analysis is based on Edward’s opening paper delivered at a symposium on “Race, Sport, and Professionalism” as well as a synthesis of observations made at lectures given at San Diego State and Saginaw Valley State Universities and at the Association of Black Sociologists in San Francisco.
Hockey: Barriers to Crossing the Color line
Much recognition and celebration has been made for many of the trailblazing African American athletes from Paul Robeson to Jackie Robinson in mainstream sports, yet the same recognition is not afforded to the many African Americans who played hockey. This paper explores the lack of black and minority representation in hockey by focusing on four themes: 1) to historically trace black hockey players in the United States and Canada and explore more recent African-Americans in the National Hockey League, 2) to inquire the way in which race played (or continues to play) a role in their lives on and off the ice, 3) to identify the reasons for a lack of diversity amongst ethnic populations in the NHL, particularly African-Americans, and 4) to explore new projects, paradigms and programs that are making ice hockey more accessible to all people of color.
Policy, Patriarchy, and Progressive: Mindsets of Women in Intercollegiate sports
A qualitative analysis of female student-athletes’ responses to a profile on the successful career transition out of sports of a former male student-athlete.
This study focuses on 26 African American athletes and explores their perceptions of athletic career transition. Participants consisted of student athletes from a United States National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division IIA institution in the Southeastern region. Participants completed the Life After Sports Scale (LASS), a 58-item inventory utilized to qualitatively and quantitatively examine seven different domains, which influence perceptions of the career transition process. The scope of this inquiry examines the qualitative domain of the LASS in which participants were visually primed with a narrative description of a student athlete that has made transition out of sport successfully. Five major themes emerged from the African American student athletes’ perceptions of the career transition process: Inspirational Imagery Validation, Academic and Athletic Success, Classroom Accomplishments, Family Devotion, and Life After Sports.
Book Chapters
Black Male Images in Athletics (Popular Culture Credo)
The purpose of this essay is to link the themes from Hutchinson’s chapter on African American men in sport to some of the race and sport literature. This essay argues that black male athletic images do not increase cultural sensitivity. On the contrary, it will be demonstrated that they reinforce historical stereotypes, attitudes, feelings, and emotions about black men in general. Both the individual and the institution internalize the monolithic symbols manifested by the media.
Brothers of the Academy; edited by Lee Jones; chapter 22 p. 277-285
Stacking in Major League Baseball
How can Baseball be considered “America’s game” when it practices position segregation? The purpose of this paper is to review and analysis the phenomena of stacking in sports, specifically in Major League Baseball. By using a literature review on the significance of race and baseball and empirical study of players, race, and positions from the 1986 MLB season it is possible to see the historical relationship behind stacking and baseball.
African Americans in Sport; edited by Gary A. Sailes; chapter 13 p. 199-216
Racing with Race at the Olympics: From Negro to Black to African American Athlete
A reflection paper discussing the implications of what W.E.B. Du Bois described as “double-consciousness”: the sense of being “an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings, two warring ideals in one dark body whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder…” Several moments from the history of African American Olympics involvement are chronicled and analyzed, including Smith and Carlos’ silent protest at the 1968 Olympic Games.
The Olympics at the Millennium; Schaffer and Smith; chapter 4 p. 63-71
Student papers
Life after Sports - Jarrett David Irons
A personal reflection of a former student-athlete’s transition from athlete to scholar/regular person after his playing career was finished.
Fighting the Stereotypes - Lisa Murray
Psychologists Help Debunk the Myth of Michael Jordan - Scott Sleek