On November 6, 2014, t the most recent conference for the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS) in Portland, Oregon, UConn Sport Management Department Assistant Professor Joseph Cooper presented a paper titled “The Transfer Effect: A Critical Race Theory Examination of Black Male Transfer Student Athletes’ Experiences”, focusing on the understanding of the role of race and racism in the experiences of Black male transfer student athletes who attended a predominantly White institution (PWI) and subsequently transferred to a historically Black college/university (HBCU).

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of Black male student athletes who transferred from predominantly White institutions (PWls) to a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in the southeastern United States (U.S.). This qualitative case study involved a single focus group interview and two individual interviews with Black male transfer student athletes who were enrolled at a HBCU. Critical race theory (CRT) was applied as a theoretical framework to examine the impact of race and racism on the participants’ experiences within different educational and sociocultural environments.

The key research topics of interest included identifying the participants’ reasons for transferring from a PWI to a HBCU and understanding their college experiences at the HBCU. Findings revealed participants’ encounters with various forms of covert and overt racism at PWls resulted in negative college experiences, which motivated them to transfer to a HBCU. Using tenets of CRT and a thematic analysis procedure, the following two emergent themes were identified: “We Were the Outcasts” and “They Want to See You Succeed.” Implications for policy and practice are discussed.

For more information on this paper, please contact Dr. Joseph Cooper.