“They Think You Should Be Able to Do It All:” An Examination of Black Women College Athletes’ Experiences with Role Conflict at a Division I Historically White Institution (HWI)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions and experiences of Black women college athletes at a Division I historically White institution (HWI) to understand their role negotiation processes. There is a need to explore the experiences of Black women college athletes in Olympic sports along with their same race peers in high-profile sports to ensure the professed National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) mission is being fulfilled for all college athletes regardless of their race, gender, and sport and specifically related to their academic experiences and outcomes. The current study fills this gap. Data collection methods included a focus group interview with four participants, two individual interviews, and an 8-item demographic questionnaire. Priori intersectionality, psychological identity, and college student development theories were incorporated to highlight key aspects of participants’ lived experiences in college. Findings revealed participants’ experiences with role conflict, athletic identity foreclosure, and social isolation. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.