Burdened with Glorious Purpose:

The current discussion highlights particular circumstances and certain dynamics that shape attitude and performance expectations of African American student-athletes at PWI’s. Research on the topic is limited, but some suggest that African American male student-athletes competing in revenue producing sports like football and basketball at the NCAA Division 1 level may experience greater athletic performance expectations than do their non-African American counterparts. Implications for sport social work are discussed and culturally competent sport social work practice is highlighted as instrumental in assisting African American student-athletes effectively cope with the external pressures and demands associated with college athletics at PWI’s including racialized performance expectations.