Game Changers: The Role Athletic Identity and Racial Identity Play on Academic Performance

The purpose of this study was to examine the degree to which athletic and racial identity predict the academic outcomes of Black student athletes participating in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 Football Bowl Series football. The academic outcomes of Black student athletes are a growing concern to both scholars and practitioners focused on improving the student athlete experience at this elite level of college sports. Results of this study indicate higher measures of athletic identity predict lower GPA. The racial identity attitude measures did not emerge as direct predictors of GPA in this study. Study findings and the implications for student athlete practitioners and future research are discussed.