Billy Hawkins

Racial Perceptions of Baseball at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The purpose of this study is to identify demographic backgrounds, participation patterns, and racial perceptions of baseball student-athletes at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the Southeastern United States. HBCUs were selected for this study because of the dearth of research on student-athletes at these institutions. An 11-item questionnaire and a focus group interview were used for data collection. Data were retrieved from student-athletes who participate in baseball at two selected HBCUs in the Southeastern United States. A grounded theoretical approach was used to examine demographic backgrounds, participation patterns, and racial perceptions of baseball student-athletes at HBCUs. The findings from this study revealed that increasing opportunities at all levels for Blacks to succeed in baseball is the most important way to increase Black participation in baseball.

An anti-deficit perspective on black male student athletes’ educational experiences at a historically black college/university

The purpose of this study was to identify key institutional characteristics and practices at a historically black college/university (HBCU) that contributed to positive educational experiences for black male student athletes. This mixed methods exploratory study involved the use of a 79-item Student Athlete College Experiences Questionnaire (SACEQ), three focus group interviews, and four individual interviews. Participants in this study included 57 black male football and men’s basketball student athletes at an HBCU in the southeastern US. Institutional theory and the anti-deficit achievement framework were incorporated to highlight effective institutional practices at an HBCU. Findings revealed the presence of a nurturing familial campus climate and purposefully designed institutional programs enhanced black male student athletes’ educational experiences. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.

The black student athlete: The colonized black body

This article views the black student athlete as colonized Black Body. It uses an internal colonial model to place the experiences black student athletes encounter at predominantly white National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Institutions into a broader theoretical framework. This theoretical approach draws upon the similarities that exist between black student athletes and internally colonized people. The conclusion of this article is that the Black Body is again internally colonized by these institutions for physical exploitation.

Critical Race Theory: Black Athletic Sporting Experiences in the United States

This book examines the role of race in athletic programs in the United States. Intercollegiate athletics remains a contested terrain where race and racism are critical issues often absent in the public discourse.

Interest Convergence: A Revolutionary Theory for Athletic Reform

Athletic reform has been a reoccurring issue among the concerns and on the agendas of various organizations and associations that are stakeholders of the intercollegiate athletic complex. This chapter provides a brief overview of the history of athletic reform, the different organizations approaches to reforming intercollegiate athletics, and an overview of grassroots activism among students that have sought sociopolitical reform. It is proposed in this chapter that interest convergence can be a revolutionary theory that can inform Black athletes, as activist, and provide them with the leverage needed to negotiate their athletic talents in return for a quality educational experience.

The impact of baseball participation on the educational experiences of black student-athletes at historically black colleges and universities

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of baseball participation on the educational experiences of black student-athletes at two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the southeastern United States (US). HBCUs were selected for this study because of the limited amount of research on student-athletes at these institutions. Two separate focus group interviews were conducted for data collection. Data was retrieved from student-athletes who participated in baseball at two selected HBCUs in the southeastern US. A grounded theoretical approach was employed to examine the relationship between intercollegiate athletic participation and the educational experiences of black baseball student-athletes at HBCUs. The findings from this study revealed that the current structure of intercollegiate baseball created both positive and negative impacts on the overall educational experiences of black baseball student-athletes at HBCUs. However, when there is a healthy balance between academics and athletics, positive outcomes for students can be achieved. With the grounded theoretical approach to analysis, the researchers developed the Education-Sports Symbiosis (ESS) hypothesis to explain the phenomenon in this study. These findings support previous research that suggested the current structure of intercollegiate athletics requires immediate reform in order to enhance educational experiences and developmental outcomes for black student-athletes. These general findings will be discussed in terms of their implications for policy, practice, and future research.

Promoting Physical Activity in Black Children and Adolescents: Intervention Strategies Health Practitioners Have Put into Play

Obesity among USA’s youth is reaching epidemic proportions. Increase sedentary lifestyles, improper nutrition habits, and the lack of physical activity are contributors to this rise in obesity levels among young. This chapter reviews the physical activity intervention strategies health practitioners have used to promote healthier and active lifestyles among Black children and adolescents. It concludes that policy and multicomponent physical activity approaches that enhance family participation and take place in schools and after school programs are likely to be successful among Black youth and should be promoted.