Racialized Teamwork: How Football Affects DI Black Football Players’ Belonging at Predominantly White Institutions

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Abstract

The current study explores how Division I (DI) football culture impacts the social capital that Black football student-athletes develop among coaches, teammates, and peers outside athletics and how these relationships interact with the racial climate at PWIs to impact sense of belonging. Using Critical Race Theory (CRT) and sense of belonging frameworks, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 former DI football players. Two overarching themes emerged: 1) Black football players don’t belong without football, and 2) hostile racial climates at PWIs. The results suggest important implications for coaches and athletic staff members at PWIs looking to recruit and support Black student-athletes.

Author

• Debbie Hogan, Boston College