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Full text release has been delayed at the author's request until August 09, 2026

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Playing While Black: Self-Presentation and the Black Male Collegiate Student-Athlete

Howe, Jonathan
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9412-0852
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1623682148502463

Abstract Details

2021, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Educational Studies.
Related to college students and student-athletes a wealth of knowledge exists surrounding the relationship of identity salience and context. However, this literature remains limited when discussing the enactment of identity. One avenue to examine the enactment of identity is through self-presentation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the self-presentation process within Black male student-athletes through an examination of identity and the relation to multiple contextual factors. To achieve this purpose, I utilized a constructivist grounded theory methodological approach, which was guided by a combination of constructivism and critical theory epistemological foundations. The study centered the perspectives of Black male student-athletes at historically white Division I institutions. Within this qualitative study, I collected data through individual interviews, a group interview, audio diaries, and tweets to capture data with 16 Division I Black male student-athletes. The study’s design and analysis were informed by critical race theory and Black critical theory, which served as sensitizing concepts that are integral within constructivist grounded theory. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. The outcome of this study was an emerging grounded theory on self-presentation and Black male student-athletes. The theory highlights the process of self-presentation as comprised of multiple components, which include a dynamic relationship between internal (intrapersonal) and external (inter/extrapersonal) factors and the ability of Black male student-athletes to make meaning of their identities in relation to self-presentation outcomes. Internal factors related to the ways Black male student-athletes understood themselves as it pertains to their identities. External factors represented how varying contexts influence how this population presents their identities, such as surrounding individuals or a business-like environment. Making meaning of identities in relation to self-presentation goals meant Black male student-athletes made decisions on how to present themselves based on varying levels of influence in the areas of critical racial consciousness; social associations related to racial, athletic, and student identities; and internal conflict. Based on the influence of the multiple components, participants were found to present themselves in four distinct forms: Complete, Partial Self as Form of Navigational Capital, Code-Switching, and Form of Resistance. Using the theory as its basis, the Model of Self-Presentation for Black Male Student-Athletes was created to organize and operationalize the multiple component processes. Ultimately, the theory and Model highlighting the self-presentation process for Black male student-athletes have implications for higher education institutions, college athletic departments, and Black male athletes themselves.
Marc Johnston Guerrero (Committee Chair)
Samuel Hodge (Committee Member)
Stephen Quaye (Committee Member)
298 p.
Education; Higher Education; Psychology; Sociology; Sports Management
Black males; student-athletes; college student development; self-presentation; critical race theory; Black critical theory; college athletics

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Howe, J. (2021). Playing While Black: Self-Presentation and the Black Male Collegiate Student-Athlete [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1623682148502463

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Howe, Jonathan. Playing While Black: Self-Presentation and the Black Male Collegiate Student-Athlete. 2021. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1623682148502463.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Howe, Jonathan. "Playing While Black: Self-Presentation and the Black Male Collegiate Student-Athlete." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1623682148502463

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1623682148502463
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.