The Shrinking Presence of Black Female Student-Athletes at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Abstract

Despite the tremendous growth in female sports participation opportunities under Title IX, black females have not benefited to the same degree as their white female counterparts. While gender complaints about female athletes still lagging behind males in participatory opportunities, scholarships, facilities and equipment are being discussed, larger structural inequities associated with being black and female remain absent from the Title IX conversation, demonstrating the dual invisibility of black females. Not only is this true at predominantly white institutions, it’s also true at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), academic institutions which have been sources of educational and athletic opportunities for black females long before the passage of Title IX prohibited sex discrimination in any federally funded educational programs and activities.Malgré l’importante croissance d’opportunités de participation en sport féminin grâce à Title IX, les femmes noires n’ont pas bénéficié autant que les femmes blanches. Alors que les plaintes au sujet des femmes athlètes étaient encore à la traîne des hommes en ce qui concerne les opportunités de participation, les bourses, les installations et l’équipement font l’objet de discussions, les plus grandes injustices structurales associées au fait d’être noire et d’être une femme demeurent absentes de la conversation au sujet de Title IX, démontrant la double invisibilité des femmes noires. Non seulement estce vrai dans les établissements à prédominance blanche, cela est également vrai dans les collèges et universités historiquement noirs, des établissements scolaires qui ont été des sources d’opportunités éducationnelles et athlétiques bien avant que Title IX ne vienne interdire la discrimination en fonction du sexe dans tous les programmes et activités éducationnels financés par le gouvernement fédéral.

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“…An examination of the social and individual factors influencing sports activities will reveal conspicuous differences between the two genders and in the financial situation of the individuals in Hungary, Romania (where the differences are the biggest) and also in the Ukraine. It seems that sport is still a masculine activity (Theune, 2016;Beissel, Giardina & Newman, 2016), and women find it somewhat less attractive. This finding contradicts the fact that health consciousness is more characteristic of women, and they attribute more importance to the role of sport in preserving human health than man do (Bollók et al, 2011).…”

Title IX at 50: A Critical Celebration

“…Curiously, these discrepancies can also crop up at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (see Dees, 2004;Theune, 2016;Yarbrough, 1997). The most glaring example of this is the 2021 equestrian team at Delaware State University-the only Historically Black College and University to sponsor the sport.…”

Black Mothers and NFL Moms Safety Clinics: An Ethnography of Care in American Football

“…The relevant literature affords important discussions of the experiences of Black female athletes (see, e.g., Carter-Francique, 2018; Cooper et al, 2017; Foster, 2003; Robinson, 2021; Theune, 2016), Black male athletes (see, e.g., Beamon, 2008; Cooper, 2019; Woodbine, 2016; Yearwood, 2018), and athletes who are mothers (see, e.g., Evans et al, 2016; McGannon, et al, 2018; Palmer & Leberman, 2009; Pedersen, 2001). However, what is missing from the overarching narrative about women, athletes, and sport is how moms factor into the lives and experiences of football players, generally, and Black college football players, specifically.…”