Congratulations to Herman Scriven who on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, successfully defended his dissertation proposal.
The title of Herman’s dissertation is: "EXPLORING COACHES' PERCEPTIONS OF ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYERS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY."
Overview of Problem: African American high school football players face unique academic and social challenges that hinder their success, particularly within predominantly White institutions where existing support systems may not adequately meet their needs.
Research Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate high school football coaches’ perceptions of academic support programs. It aims to identify the strengths, limitations, and opportunities for improvement in these programs specifically for African American high school football players
Research Design: This study will utilize qualitative research design. Guided by the ARCS model—Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction—this research will explore coaches' perceptions of their roles in supporting African American student-athletes' academic success and assess the effectiveness of existing academic support programs. This approach aims to deepen the understanding of the relationship between coaching strategies and academic support, ultimately seeking to improve educational outcomes for these athletes.
Sample: The sample for this study will consist of 10 to 15 active and retired high school football coaches with a minimum of two years of coaching experience.
Data Collection: Data collection will involve semi-structured interviews, allowing for open-ended discussions that encourage coaches to share their insights and experiences freely. Each interview will be conducted via Zoom, recorded with participants' consent, and subsequently transcribed for thematic analysis to identify key perceptions regarding academic support for African American student-athletes.
DISSERTATION COMMITTEE CHAIR:
Dr. Shelley Wepner
DISSERTATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Dr. Peter Troiano
Dr. James Brown
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