This study investigated the lived experiences of Black male student-athletes (BMSAs) participating in football and basketball at a community college. Their psycho-social-emotional experiences and development were emphasized before, during, and after college. The study deployed Afropessimism to frame the experiences of BMSAs; as such, I assumed…

This study investigates the predictive validity of lower extremity strength, strength asymmetry, and soccer-specific fitness in talent identification among elite male youth soccer players. Employing a Retrospective Cohort design, we established a cohort consisting of K-League registered youth players, totaling 219 individuals (all males, aged 16…

College football is a significant part of American culture and a revenue source for many schools. At first thought, college football is associated with large Division I programs within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) with fanfare, traditions, and national following. However, most college football athletes do not play at the…

This study investigated the lived experiences of Black male student-athletes (BMSAs) participating in football and basketball at a community college. Their psycho-social-emotional experiences and development were emphasized before, during, and after college. The study deployed Afropessimism to frame the experiences of BMSAs; as such, I assumed…

The purpose of this study was to conduct exploratory qualitative research into the perceptions of engagement among Black male football student-athletes at a Midwest university. The researcher used a qualitative single case study method. This study consisted of two research questions: How do Black male football student-athletes make meaning of…

Student-athletes have many commitments during their college experience. Their role as student-athletes impacts their career readiness. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) promotes the fact that most student-athletes will not become professional athletes. However, they do little to help prepare student-athletes for life after…

The expanding opportunities to implement sport science frameworks in elite-level basketball environments coincide with the sport's increasing global prominence. Concomitant to these opportunities is the continual growth of the sport technology market (e.g., wearables, force plates) and computational power (e.g., data management tools, coding…

This dissertation examines the self-perceived career goal achievement capabilities of African-American former Division I basketball players through the lens of Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy (CDMSE) and its impact on their post-athletic career decisions. Through a phenomenological approach, this study aims to contribute a nuanced…

Successful coaches seek different methods and strategies that allow student-athletes to reach their peak performance levels. The problem addressed in this study is Generation Z student-athletes are now in high school, and coaches may not be adapting their behaviors to the characteristics of this generation given that little research exists on how…

This study looked to determine if being classified as a Cinderella Story team in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, led to a statistically significant change in NCAA Division I men's basketball spending for that team's respective institution one, two, and three years after being labeled. The purpose of…

This narrative study explored the relationship of coaches and Black male student-athletes seeking to understand the stories of Black male student-athletes, their relationship with their coaches, and the role of the coaches in their academic, athletic, and social identity development. Using narrative techniques, the author worked with three…

Research examining how these athletes, specifically football players, are racially mistreated in revenue sports in Power Five conferences, as well as the effect of this mistreatment on their health and well-being, has been sparse. Thus, the purpose of my study was to examine current Black male college football players' experiences of racial…

Although outcomes of stereotypes, self-fulfilling prophecy, and care have long been examined, student athlete perceptions of stereotypes have not (Dee, 2014; Knust & Fisher, 2015; Lachman, 2012; Noddings, 2005; Riciputi & Erdal, 2017; Schools et al., 2020; Steele & Aronson, 1995). The study's purpose was to examine collegiate…

Community colleges have historically faced significant challenges in retaining students, particularly from underserved populations. While extracurricular activities like athletics have been shown to enhance student engagement and persistence, the specific impact of athletic participation on retention and sense of belonging among diverse student…

COVID-19 threw a curveball to higher education and college athletics during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years. The purpose of this case study was to examine the transitional effects that the COVID-19 pandemic had on Division I Men's and Women's basketball student-athletes. The primary goal of this study was to provide recommendations that…