EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS AMONG AFRICAN
AMERICAN MALE STUDENT ATHLETES FROM LOW
SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS
Abstract of Dissertation
EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS AMONG AFRICAN
AMERICAN MALE STUDENT ATHLETES FROM LOW
SOCIOE
CONOMIC BACKGROUNDS
by
Marisha R. Smith, Ed.D.
Alliant International University
Committee Chairperson: Edward Shenk,
Ed.D.
The purpose of this study was to identify contributing factors for
academic success among African American male student athletes fr
om low
socioeconomic backgrounds. Life narrative analysis was used in this
qualitative study. The researcher conducted in
-
depth individual interviews with
7 African American males who attended college on athletic scholarship and
obtained a degree. The interviews were compiled into participant profiles that,
when compared, revealed patterns and themes of what participants identified
as factors that contributed to their academic success
.
The major contributing factors for academic success identified in this
s
tudy were
(
a
)
family and mentor support,
(
b
)
academic support services, (c)
a positive peer group, (d) setting goals and staying focused, and (e) regular
classroom attendance and good time management
.
M
any of the participants
currently
participated in you
th
mentor
ship
in an effort to “give back” and foster
academic success in the next generation.
This study provides information that
can be instrumental to African American male student athletes and their
parents, educators, athletic departments, and univers
ities