In the midst of college conference realignments and billion dollar media deals the plight of student athletes sometimes does not receive the focus that it should. A new report, Black Male Student-Athletes and Racial Inequities in NCAA Division I College Sports, concludes that particularly when it comes to Black male student athletes, we need to re-center our focus. The report was researched and written by lead author Dr. Shaun Harper and the Center for the Study of Race and Equity in Education at the University of Pennsylvania. This research is worthy of close study. As we enter the football bowl season on through March Madness there will be occasional studies looking at various aspects of academic performance by participating teams. Often the data is dismal. The percentage of Black men that compose the ranks of student-athletes gives us reason to pause and incentive to readjust our focus. While representing only 2.8% of full-time undergraduate students, they constitute 58.4% of the football and basketball teams at colleges and universities in the six major NCAA Division I sports conferences. What school's have the highest graduation rates for Black athletes? Northwestern, Notre Dame, Penn State and Villanova. At the bottom? Iowa State, University of South Florida and the University of Arizona.
This article is for general information and does not include full legal analysis of the matters presented. It should not be construed or relied upon as legal advice or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. The description of the results of any specific case or transaction contained herein does not mean or suggest that similar results can or could be obtained in any other matter. Each legal matter should be considered to be unique and subject to varying results. The invitation to contact the authors or attorneys in our firm is not a solicitation to provide professional services and should not be construed as a statement as to any availability to perform legal services in any jurisdiction in which such attorney is not permitted to practice.
Duane Morris LLP, a full-service law firm with more than 700 attorneys in 24 offices in the United States and internationally, offers innovative solutions to the legal and business challenges presented by today's evolving global markets. Duane Morris LLP, a full-service law firm with more than 700 attorneys in 24 offices in the United States and internationally, offers innovative solutions to the legal and business challenges presented by today's evolving global markets. The Duane Morris Institute provides training workshops for HR professionals, in-house counsel, benefits administrators and senior managers.
