College Choice and Satisfaction for Black Male Student-Athletes: The Role of the School Counselor

• In Event: Catalysts for Change: School Counselors Tackle Inequitable Educational Opportunity, Racial Injustice, and COVID-19

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of school counselors on college choice and satisfaction for Black male student-athletes using the NCAA GOALS 2015 dataset. The survey included responses from a representative sample of NCAA student athletes from across the three divisions of competition. Survey items explore the collegiate athletic experience, athletic recruiting, participants’ academic experience, career expectations, health and well-being, pre-college sport participation, time demands, and financial well-being. The final dataset includes responses from over 20,000 student-athletes at more than 550 NCAA member institutions and across 24 NCAA sanctioned sports (11 men’s sports and 13 women’s sports). For the purposes of this study, responses were restricted to Division I Black male football and men’s basketball student-athletes on full scholarship, which includes 571 student-athletes across 183 institutions. The implications of these results will inform practices to disrupt the potentially exploitive nature of sports in the lives of Black male student-athletes. Specific research questions include:
1) What is the impact of school counselors on the college choice process for Black male student-athletes?
2) What is the impact of school counselors on college satisfaction for Black male student-athletes?

Education has long been considered a means to social, economic, and political liberation in the United States (Harris, 2015). However, Black male student athletes are disproportionately socialized to identify with their athletic role to the detriment of their other identities, namely their academic identity. This results in less educational benefits than their White counterparts such as college preparedness and educational attainment overall (Comeaux, 2005; Harris, 2014; Harper, 2018). Specifically, Black male student-athletes graduate at lower rates than their non-athlete Black male counterparts (Harper, 2018).
While such problematic data is clear, less is known about what actually works for Black male student-athletes. Sports participation can be viewed, structured, and delivered in such a way that it enhances mobility for Black student athletes. Research suggests that pre-college advisement for Black male student-athletes is critical for Black males to experience a successful postsecondary transition and that school counselors are well- equipped to provide it (Harper, 2018).
School counselors are uniquely positioned in schools to coordinate efforts amongst all stakeholders to ensure that Black male student-athletes are ready for college and not just eligible to play sports in college. School counselors are charged with serving the academic, emotional, and career needs of all K-12 students through a comprehensive program. Through individual and group counseling, consultation, and additional systemic interventions, they utilize their training in lifespan development, multicultural counseling, and more to promote equity, access, and justice in schools. School counselors can be critical in ensuring that a solid educational agenda is tied to their athletic pursuits and that a multidimensional sense of self is being cultivated throughout their participation. Research suggests that when Black students, in general, are provided with more personalized support from their counselors, they are better able to navigate the college preparation process (Farmer-Hinton & Adams, 2006)

Authors

• Paul C. Harris, Pennsylvania State University

• Lydia F. Bell, National Collegiate Athletic Association