Using Curry's Man-Not genre, we analyze a promotional video of a college athlete being recruited shared via social media. We argue that the video reflexively captures the modern white supremacist state and cultural apparatus in operation. The video depicts excesses of luxury and desire shilled onto Black male athletes, as they enter an athletic center. Through a multimodal critical discourse analysis, we draw on our knowledge of the historical and contemporary context to situate the video's content as a scene of political power and control. We argue that the scene is a profound public display of social coercion, overtly reasserting white supremacist dominance. It depicts the intentional separation of Black culture from the people producing it. It is a display of subjugation. It is racial castration.

Although many youth sport programs are theorized to contribute to primary and secondary crime prevention, there has been far less attention to the role of youth sport programs in the lives of youth already involved in the justice system-a key population facing stigmatization and social marginalization. Through a single case study, we explore how Run for Fun (R4F), a sport-based diversion program designed to reduce recidivism among justice-involved youth, shaped a key period of identity negotiation for participants and peer mentors involved in the program. Guided by labeling theory, focus groups and individual interviews were utilized to explore how the program influenced key psychosocial processes associated with acknowledging, reconciling, and responding to social stigmas ascribed to this population. Findings informed implications for research and practice, specifically related to serving justice-involved youth who typically face multiple other forms of marginalization (e.g. race).

Joy, particularly from a cultural lens, is a novel concept warranting inquiry and connection to sport-based organizational behavior. Previous sport organizational behavior research has examined employee experiences regarding aspects, such as motivation, organizational commitment, and turnover intentions. Despite evidence highlighting the uniqueness of the Black employee experience broadly, sport management scholarship remains limited in scope, with extant work largely emphasizing negative aspects of their work experience. This narrative inquiry centered the experiences of 10 Black college sport employees to understand how Black joy connected to elements of psychological capital and well-being and contributed to their persistence within their respective organizations. These narratives provided insights into how Black joy played a significant role in empowering them to remain in the industry. Findings underscore that persistence was not inevitably the result of athletic department actions; instead, it stemmed from the work Black college athletic administrators engaged in themselves to build psychological capital.

The purpose of this study was to explore how (or if) sport-based youth development nonprofit organizations currently prioritize strategic marketing. These organizations are committed to delivering sport in ways that align with positive youth development principles, yet there is limited research on how this distinction is communicated to key stakeholders. Strategic marketing is a potentially viable tool for nonprofit organizations to differentiate themselves from traditional youth sport providers, yet there remains limited research to guide strategy and implementation. Drawing on Andreasen's framework for nonprofit marketing, we utilized semi-structured interviews with 19 senior-level executive leaders of sport-based youth development organizations in the United States to examine how (or if) the internal administration of these organizations supported nonprofit strategic marketing. A theoretical thematic analysis was utilized to explore three components related to the internal administration of nonprofit strategic marketing: inputs, strategy creation, and internal outputs. Results indicate that smaller organizations often have limited resources, and larger organizations are reluctant to internalize key inputs for strategic marketing. Most leaders also viewed strategic marketing as a peripheral function compared to service-oriented tasks and noted difficulties developing a cohesive brand identity that could be communicated to target audiences. Social media was described as a key tool, yet "keeping up" with posting obfuscated attempts at developing a longer-term strategy. Findings inform a discussion of theoretical and practical implications, including prioritizing resources to support strategic marketing, simplifying messaging, and clarifying the broader field so that organizations can operate within a more defined brand architecture.

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.

The purpose of this multiple-case study was to analyze Black male college athletes' revelations about the academic and athletic aspects of their collegiate experience. It was situated in critical theoretical frameworks in examining the experiences of nine Black male college athletes at a NCAA Division I affiliated university. Primary data sources were individual, facetoface interviews and a focus group interview, which were analyzed using constant comparative analysis. Three themes emerged: (a) college athlete experience; (b) here for one thing, or more; and (c) race [still] matters. The study's thematic findings and implications are discussed, and future research directions are proposed.

Research QuestionThere is a dearth of research within prominent sport management outlets using critical race-based theories. This article provides a pathway to addressing this problem as we build on the call to address, challenge, and disrupt epistemological racism in sport management research. We propose adopting a theory of racialized organizations - a meso-level approach to examine organizations as racial structures.Research MethodsWithin this conceptual paper, we provide an overview of the theory and apply it to specific case examples to highlight the utility of TRO within sport management research and practice.Results and FindingsCoupling TRO and sport management brings awareness to the racialization processes within sport organizations and helps disrupt dominant narratives of sport being race neutral.ImplicationsUtilizing TRO assists scholars in reframing research questions, increasing the study of racially minoritized sport stakeholders, and challenging notions of race neutrality that reinforce inequitable power relations. From a managerial perspective, sport leaders must interrogate the complicity in perpetuating racialization and how whiteness influences practices and policies.

Extant literature on the experiences of Black male college athletes focuses on outcomes, such as their college engagement (academic, athletic, and social), graduation rates, and post-college transitions. However, there is a lack of focus on the antecedents of these outcomes. This article offers empirical findings from a study of 16 Black male college athletes' developmental experiences at Division I historically white institutions. The study employed a constructivist grounded theory methodology and incorporated a three-stage coding analysis to make sense of data. A key finding from this study is the identification of the (Sub)Conscious Decision-Making Filter, which is comprised of the following four components: (a) Self-Schemata; (b) Critical Racial Consciousness; (c) Social Associations Related to Racial, Athletic, and Student Identities; and (d) Internal Conflict. Data analysis offers insights into the meaning-making processes of Black male college athletes as they exist in majority white spaces, which is vital for sport administrators who seek to support the optimal holistic development of this important stakeholder group.

Purpose This study aims to stimulate scholarly attention and practical application pertaining to individuals recognized as “Docs.” Through conducting a comprehensive analysis and acquiring a profound understanding of its many connotations, the objective is to shift attitudes and approaches concerning those who are seen to possess knowledge and value within society. Design/methodology/approach For this study, culturally relevant pedagogies were used as theoretical frameworks in addition to Sankofa and concept explication being used as methodologies. Findings The authors identified three themes: (1) honorary cultural practice-community nomination of “professahs” and “docs,” (2) (Black) robinhoods – cultural signifiers of distinction and relatability and (3) docs as catalysts – elevating community via consciousness, trust and mentorship as significant understandings of this distinction. Originality/value The study emphasizes the importance of “Docs” in both academic and social contexts. The role of “Docs” serves to alleviate potential conflicts of being a Black intellectual. This study further reveals the ways in which Docs align with, promote or possibly undermine established frameworks of thought. Finally, this study provides institutions with opportunities to consider strategies for the utilization, recognition and integration of individuals who are frequently overlooked or undervalued.

Although name, image, and likeness policy officially changed on July 1, 2021, actions leading up to this policy modification provide insight into the desires and perspectives of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Feeling pressure from individual states and federal legislators, the NCAA engaged in discussion regarding name, image, and likeness in Fall of 2019. In response to newly introduced name, image, and likeness policy changes, the NCAA listed their official statements on the Taking Actions: Name, Image and Likeness webpage. These statements ( n = 10) were analyzed using critical discourse analysis methodology underpinned with a Foucaultian perspective. Using critical discourse analysis, we extrapolated three overarching themes related to power dynamics: (a) Establishing Control While Undercutting Oppositional Power, (b) Power Shifts Away from NCAA, and (c) Power Reinforcement. We conclude by discussing the importance of examining discourse within organizations and implications for policy and practice.

Critical race theory (CRT) is a powerful framework and methodological tool for sport scholars and practitioners to incorporate into their work. While CRT tenets vary depending on discipline, individuals utilizing the framework understand the permanence of racism and how it is institutionalized within various social structures. In honor of the 40th year of the Sociology of Sport Journal, we conducted a review of the journal to assess how CRT has been used among sport sociologists. After reflecting on the 40-year history of Sociology of Sport Journal, we argue for the continued use of CRT and CRT extensions to fulfill the maximum potential of this foundational framework to achieve its goals of emancipation, social justice, and racial equity. We conclude by discussing the future of CRT in sport sociology research and practice in a post "racial reckoning" society, specifically within the U.S. context.

Scholarship on college athlete identity has increased within recent decades; however, there remains a dearth of literature centred on identity and Black male college athletes. While athletic identity is often self and socially regarded as a dominant identity, this population also holds numerous identities, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, class, and being a student. This scoping review synthesizes 26 peer-reviewed pieces of scholarship that focus on Black male college athletes and identity. Thematic categories found in this literature include discussions of athletic identity, complexities and intersections of identity, United States (US) college and athletic context impacting identity salience, and shifting the narrative of Black male college athlete identity. This review concludes with future directions that encourage the increase in research regarding identity and Black male college athletes.

Black male college athletes (BMCAs) are in a unique position within the contexts of historically white institutions and Division I college athletics. Recently, BMCAs have increasingly presented themselves in ways that highlight specific social identities or even in opposition to the college athletic system and higher education environment. However, little has changed as power and privilege remain central forces in white-dominated settings. This constructivist grounded theory study examines how historically white institution and Division I athletic environments influence self-presentation of BMCAs through a Black critical theory lens. The experiences of 16 BMCAs illuminated how self-presentation was influenced by academic and athletic settings, Division I subdivision characteristics, and sport-specific contexts. I conclude with recommendations and directions for future research.

The lack of racial diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership positions is an ongoing issue in intercollegiate athletics. The purpose of this study was to analyze the mission, vision, and diversity, equity, and inclusion statements of Power 5 athletic departments and their affiliated universities regarding racial diversity and inclusion to better understand how these two stakeholders work in unison or isolation when creating racially diverse environments. The authors utilized an innovative lens, which merges critical race theory with institutional theory to center race and racism while evaluating how these institutional logics interact in practice. The data show that Power 5 institutions maintain a lack of racial diversity through cultures and mission statements that omit diverse values, create symbolic statements, or lack meaning in creating a diverse reality.

When discussing the Black male student-athlete, dominant perspectives argue that they are being educated while another perspective argues that this population is being exploited. This article moves beyond the question of whether Black male student-athletes are being educated or exploited as we argue that both can happen. Utilizing Critical Race Theory, we highlight dominant perspectives about Black male student-athletes as well as offer an analysis of their experiences. The article provides the presentation of a fictive counterstory that portrays the notion that this population can experience education and exploitation. We conclude by offering a discussion about approaches that institutions and athletic departments can take to better serve Black male student-athletes, including adopting the Excellence Beyond Athletics approach (Cooper, 2016).

The socialization of Black males into athletics leads to a heightened attention placed on their athletic identity. Once these student-athletes enter the collegiate environment, the institutions of higher education and associated athletic departments have neglected to holistically develop identity within Black male student-athletes. With this population representing less than 3% of the entire student-body population on college campuses (Harper, 2018), the support that they receive also does not help to counter the negative experiences that they have. Negative experiences then lead to negative outcomes such as becoming susceptible to stereotype threat and identity foreclosure. This paper presents a conceptual model to center race while connecting athletic identity within Black male student-athletes to their experiences on campus and the outcomes related to this identity.