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Francis, J. A. (2021). Are We Helping Them Beyond the Spear? : The Impact of a Developmental Support Program for Black Male Student-Athletes. Retrieved from https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/diginole/2020_Summer_Fall_Francis_fsu_0071E_16546
Black male student-athletes are not graduating near or at the same rates as their counterparts. Moreover, many are leaving college underprepared professionally and personally. These young men often dream and work toward competing professionally to earn significant amounts of money; however, few make it to the next level. While in college, many Black male student-athletes experience identity foreclosure in which they underinvest in the development of other areas or identities (such as academics) at the expense of overinvestment into their athletic careers or identities (Charleston et al., 2015; Marcia, 1966). This disproportionate investment can lead many of them to not graduate and subsequently be underprepared for life after college, both professionally and personally. The National Collegiate Athletic Association and other member institutions have sought to enable all student-athletes to grow in their development through different programming and departments. The study site, Florida State University, created the Leaders Yearning for Excellence (LYFE) program to combat this issue, specifically affecting Black male student-athletes. LYFE seeks to raise the graduation rates of Black male student-athletes at Florida State by utilizing culturally relevant pedagogy. Research on culturally relevant pedagogy implies that students can learn and develop through a purposeful cultural lens (Ladson-Billings, 1995). The purpose of this study is to learn about the experiences of Black male student-athletes in LYFE and the impact of the LYFE program on current LYFE members (LYFEletes). The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach to answer the research questions: (1) What are the experiences of Black male student-athletes who participate in the LYFE program, and (2) What program components do participants find most impactful to their perceptions of degree completion, and their professional and personal development? The results of this study indicated that LYFEletes understand the importance of obtaining a degree. Furthermore, they experience connection in relationships and broadened horizons through their engagement and participation in the program. Their engagement in the program led to a greater sense of belonging as well as a way to combat identity foreclosure. The LYFE program illustrates that implementing CRP positively impacts Black male student-athletes’ personal and professional development.
A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education.
Bibliography Note
Includes bibliographical references.
Advisory Committee
Bradley Cox, Professor Directing Dissertation; Elizabeth Jakubowski, University Representative; Patrice Iatarola, Committee Member; Toby Park-Gaghan, Committee Member.
Publisher
Florida State University
Identifier
2020_Summer_Fall_Francis_fsu_0071E_16546
Francis, J. A. (2021). Are We Helping Them Beyond the Spear? : The Impact of a Developmental Support Program for Black Male Student-Athletes. Retrieved from https://purl.lib.fsu.edu/diginole/2020_Summer_Fall_Francis_fsu_0071E_16546