Identity, Success, and Satisfaction for Division I Black Women Student Athletes

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 13
  In Roundtable Session: Reconsidering Issues of Equity in Intercollegiate Athletics at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly White Institutions

Abstract

There are nearly 25000 Black women student athletes who compete in intercollegiate athletics (NCAA, 2018). Despite the thousands of Black Women student athletes, Black Women are largely underrepresented across all levels of intercollegiate athletics (e.g. coaches, administrators, advisors) (Francique, 2018). This lack of representation can have a profound impact on the college experiences of Black Women student athletes. Utilizing GOALS 2015 data collected by the NCAA, this quantitative study examined the relationship between success, identity, and Black Women student athletes’ level of satisfaction with both their collegiate academic and athletic experience. The study sample is comprised of 395 Black women student-athletes, representing 12 sports. Findings have implications researchers, policymakers, and practitioners who serve Black Women student-athletes.

Authors

• Miray Seward, University of Virginia

• Lydia F. Bell, National Collegiate Athletic Association

• Paul C. Harris, The Pennsylvania State University