The Meanings Black Male Student–Athletes Ascribe to Their Collegiate Experience Through Counterspace Participation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the meanings Black male student–athletes ascribed to their involvement in the Redefining Athletic Standards student organization and to analyze interpretations of both the academic and athletic aspects of their collegiate experience. The research design was a multiple-case study. The participants were nine (9) Black male student–athletes at an NCAA Division I affiliated university. The sampling design was purposeful. The primary data sources were individual, face-to-face interviews and a focus group interview. The data were analyzed using constant comparative analysis. Two major interrelated themes emerged, which were as follows: (a) brotherhood in Redefining Athletic Standards and (b) it takes a village. The themes and implications from the study’s breath of findings are discussed.