ABSTRACT
Approximately 6% of Latinxs participate in intercollegiate athletics [Lapchick, R. (2020). The 2019 racial and gender report card: College sport. The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport. https://43530132-36e9-4f52-811a-182c7a91933b.filesusr.com/ugd/7d86e5_d69e3801bb8146f2b08f6e619bcddf22.pdf]; many of these athletes are first-generation college students. However, a large gap in the literature currently exists on experiences of this student-athlete subpopulation. Therefore, this study explores the lived experiences of first-generation Latinx college athletes, focusing on what sources of support they rely on for persistence to degree attainment. Grounded in Rendón’s (1994. Validating culturally diverse students: Toward a new model of learning and student development. Innovative Higher Education, 19(1), 33–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01191156) validation theory, this qualitative phenomenological study found that participants built a support network consisting of their teammates, athletic advisors, coaches, and family members. This study concludes with implications for practice and recommendations for future research.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Nikola Grafnetterova
Nikola Grafnetterova, Ed.D. is an Athletic Academic Coordinator in the Center for Athletic Academic Services at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, TX.
Rosa M. Banda
Rosa M. Banda, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership in College of Education at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, TX.