| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of high-achieving Black male football players at predominantly White Division I institutions in the South. A qualitative research design was utilized. Participants were five Black male football players who were starters or important reserve players, had a 3.0 or higher GPA, and were at their respective institutions for at least a year prior to interviewing. Data were obtained through five individual, semi-structured, and face-to-face interviews at two sites─Eastern Valley State University (EVSU) and Coastal Plains University (CPU). Transcripts were then professionally transcribed, read through (line by line) for a sense of the whole, and analyzed for themes. Themes were then presented the themes, along with verbatim quotes from interview transcripts, to a phenomenological research group. The themes that emerged were:* "That's What Keeps Me Going": Motivation to succeed and be a high-achiever* "It's Harder Than It Looks": Stresses of being a student-athlete* "We're Not Stereotypical Dummies": Racial differences and stereotypesThe findings from this study could be used to inform parents, student-athletes, higher education administrators and others who regularly work with student-athletes. | en_US |
