Abstract
Sport participation has the capacity to enhance the athletic and academic performance of adolescents. However, African-American participants have not enjoyed the positive academic benefits that are common among other populations. Sport is a popular developmental intervention for African-American youth, yet sport programs do not always render the intended benefits (Coalter, 2007). The purpose of this study was to determine the components of school-based sport programs that create long-term benefits for African-American girls. A high school basketball program based on positive youth development served as the program site. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with current and former players and program stakeholders. Four key values underpin the success of the program: family, education, discipline, and civic engagement. The results indicate that successful programs need flexible-not standard-design commitment to program values, and consistency in mission and implementation. Implications for the design and implementation of sport programs to improve the athletic and academic performance of African-American girls are discussed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 211-225 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Sport Management Review |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Academic achievement
- African-Americans
- Holistic development
- Program evaluation
- Sport participation
- Sport-for-development
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Business and International Management
- Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management
- Strategy and Management
- Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
- Management Science and Operations Research
- Marketing