Several studies have examined the socialization process of AfricanAmerican children, including the educational and cognitive socialization processes. Also, many researchers have been concerned with the socialization into sports. Likewise, recent studies have distinguished the socialization of African-Americans into sports as separate phenomena from the socialization of other groups into sports. However, there remains a need for research to examine the sports and education socialization processes of African-Americans as it relates to the achievement and/or success of Black student-athletes in several arenas (including but not limited to the academic, social, and behavioral realms of college life). This study addresses a gap in the literature. by concentrating on background and the socialization process and the extent to which it effect the overall success or failure of collegiate student-athletes, and their beliefs concerning professional sports careers. The socialization of AfricanAmerican males will be viewed as an indicator of academic success, professional sports aspirations, and social and behavioral adaptations of student-athletes at predominately white, Division I Universities
