Pray and Play: Fellowship of Christian Athletes Impact Among Kentucky African American Collegiate Football Players

• In Event: Inequities in Athletics and Education

Abstract

Spiritual development is vital for student-athletes; the literature validates that student-athletes growing in spirituality may be better equipped to navigate the tension of multiple identity roles and cope with various circumstances. Few student-athletes navigate multiple identities and a myriad of challenges in their collegiate journey than African American football student-athletes (AAFSAs).

Sport ministry organizations (SMOs), specifically Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at higher education institutions, exist to support student-athletes in Christian spiritual development, coping, relationship formation, and identity formation. Using Fowler’s and Park’s faith development theories, this research focused on a sample of Division I Kentucky AAFSAs perceptions of FCA, factors that influence participation, if FCA functions as a coping mechanism, and if FCA participation is indicative of spiritual development.

Authors

• Rasheed Flowers, University of Kentucky
  Presenting Author

• Kelly D. Bradley, University of Kentucky
  Non-Presenting Author