The Black Informant | African American Commentary, News and Community Building

So is that true? Are a good majority of the African American basketball players that Dr. Lapchick’s study points out only see the short term solution of escaping poverty by trying to use a college career as a stepping stone to the three letter league or is Coach Brown, myself and others just that far sighted and do not see the overall picture ourselves? I ponder the question because I’m a firm believer that this study does indeed shed some light on a situation that the Black community fails to even acknowledge. This is basically a study that the community doesn’t want to read because it tears into the very ‘Cinderella” fabric of the world as the community knows it. In past years maybe no one would take notice but this year’s study deserves the attention of the Black community and the community at large because there are some disturbing trends that need to be discussed in an open forum manner.

THE FIGURES THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE

Dr. Lapchick’s study for 2005 showcased some very disturbing numbers that seem to suggest that something is just not kosher for the Black college athlete who plays basketball. A few highlights of the study are as follows and are taken directly from his study:

• Less than three in 10 (17, or 28 percent) of the men’s tournament teams graduated 70 percent or more of their white basketball student-athletes, while only 10 (16 percent) graduated 70 percent or more of their African-American basketball student-athletes.

• More than two out of five (25, or 42 percent) of the men’s tournament teams graduated 60 percent or more of their white basketball student-athletes, while fewer than one in five schools (12, or 19 percent) graduated 60 percent or more of their African-American basketball student athletes.

• Among the women’s teams,(more…)

Read the rest of this article when you get the chance. They also provide a link to the actual full report.

The question for today as it pertains to this article is: Will information like this motivate anybody to action, or will this just serve as more ammunition for those that love to debate?