Feature films such as Varsity Blues, Friday Night Lights, and Coach Carter all project the American socialization of student-athletes in high school with aspirations of matriculating to college with the dream of playing professional sport in America. These representations of sport in American society enable educators, youth, teachers, coaches, and fans to examine the values that sport and society teach through athletics and other cultural organizations (Coakley, 2004; Sammons, 1994).

As high school and college athletics become increasingly commercialized with a greater urgency to produce winning seasons, secondary and postsecondary institutions are currently facing the challenge of addressing the increasing lack of academic productivity among some populations. Specifically, the student-athlete culture in higher education possesses some subcultures that underachieve educationally (Bowen & Levin, 2003). This issue, compounded by the recent NCAA Academic Reform Movement (ARM), requires new cultural paradigms to be explored that challenge the student-athlete to apply the competitive spirit beyond the game, in the classroom, and in the development of life skills (Brand, 2003). Hence, the purpose of this chapter is to (1) define and explain the implicit and explicit theory and practice of scholar-baller as a unique identity and lifestyle of education, sport, and entertainment; (2) present a collegiate case study of the scholar-baller success at one university; (3) apply to interscholastic sports the scholar-baller ideology; and (4) contextualize the meaning of emblems and patches in American culture in relation to the scholar-baller patch and the future of this “tipping point” in society.

SCHOLAR-BALLER

C. Keith Harrison, director of the Paul Robeson Research Center for Academic and Athletic Prowess, first introduced the term “scholar-baller” in his continued discussion on Paul Robeson’s incredible commitment to education and sport (Harrison, 1995; Harrison, 1996; Harrison, 1997; Harrison as cited in NCAA, 1998; Harrison & Lampman, 2001). While on the surface one could argue that “scholar-baller” is synonymous with student-athlete, we would like to expand upon this notion. We propose to consider “scholarballer” as an innovative concept for repackaging the current model of intercollegiate athletics, creating an identity and mindset among students in terms of their perceptions about education, sport, and occupational aspirations.

In order to better understand and conceptualize “scholar-baller,” we must first examine the term. “Scholar” is a term used to describe an individual who possesses academic prowess or commitment to education. For example, Paul Robeson, a 1919 graduate of Rutgers University, possessed the intellectual capacity and political awareness to earn the status of Phi Beta Kappa scholar, valedictorian of his class, gifted orator, and legendary political icon. Robeson represented a “scholar” on many levels, including his law degree from Columbia University and his numerous speeches and lectures throughout the world.

Moreover, the urban vernacular “baller” is an image that resonates with individuals of all origins and has taken on global meanings. For the purposes of our discussion, we define “baller” as a term that can be used as a noun, adjective, or verb (“ballin’”) signifying aspects of achievement or success. For example, an individual who is considered a high achiever in any task or vocation (usually sport and entertainment) could be labeled a “baller.” The “baller” label has until recently been excluded from such spaces as academe and other traditional mainstream arenas, and a baller is only one of several identities that develop in urban spaces that deal with cultural stresses such as unemployment, violence, poverty, and hopelessness (Kelley, 1997). To borrow a street term for someone who excels in entertainment, business, sports, or life in general, being a baller means being successful. In today’s world, people, especially young people, view a baller as someone who has gone to the top, won the biggest prize, and just simply made it. Ask a room full of football players, “Which one of you is a baller?” and all the hands in the room reach sky high. It’s a concept young players understand and embrace.

Together, scholar-baller is a concept that promotes the willingness of students to accept the challenge of harmonizing academics and athletics. At a pragmatic level, scholar-baller is about cultivating education, sport, and entertainment consumption into one lifestyle. As utilized by scholars such as Taylor (1999), this concept suggests that sport and athletic principles (i.e., character, determination, perseverance, and commitment) should be applied to academics, which would improve the motivation of student-athletes in the classroom. This motivation for academic excellence is enhanced through popular culture and the lifestyles of today that shape youth and young adults (music, film, athletics, and the arts). This is a key aspect of hip-hop culture’s influence on Thinkman, who wears a backwards cap, biceps-hugging T-shirt, and baggy jeans as he puts pen to paper in a collegiate-style desk chair (see Figure 19.1). The goal of this representation is to affirm scholastic excellence, not inhibit it.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:
A COLLEGIATE-LEVEL CASE STUDY

The researchers and scholar-baller intervention strategy have set forth to impact first the mindset of student-athletes, and second, matriculation and graduation patterns, while addressing the development of the critical life skills of student-athletes. Pilot implementation of the scholar-baller program began in August 2001 at one major Division I institution with their football program.

Student-athletes on the football team were first introduced to the concept of scholar-baller during fall camp, prior to the 2001 season. The team was asked how many of them considered themselves to be “ballers”; approximately 85 out of 105 raised their hands. When asked how many of them saw themselves as “scholar-ballers,” only several raised their hands. Typically, a portion of “revenue sport” student-athletes tends to focus narrowly on their athletic prowess while trivializing their academic and social development experiences in college.

However, with the introduction of the scholar-baller concept, it was immediately evident that this concept resonated with the student-athletes who participated in revenue and major college sports, in this case football. Within the next several days, multiple student-athlete football players approached both the head football coach and the football academic counselor and communicated sincere interest in attaining scholar-baller status and recognition. The football student-athletes at this institution were challenged to employ their competitive spirit in the arenas of academics and social development. A series of strategies were utilized to establish a consistent message that sub par or even average performance in academics was simply unacceptable.

Some of these strategies included

• helping student-athletes examine their social and self-identities to reinforce that they were complete human beings with a multiplicity of abilities beyond athletics

• exposing student athletes to scholar-baller icons (i.e., Paul Robeson, Ralph Bunche, Vince Carter, and others)

• displaying academic goals for the football program in the locker room alongside football goals

• engaging in an academic team competition in which subteams of football student-athletes competed against each other

Additionally, the head football coach and assistant coaches embraced the scholar-baller term and soon incorporated it into some of their pedagogical vernacular, including utilizing the term in memorandums and letters to the team during the off-season, encouraging academic excellence during team meetings, and including it in the player’s manual. More importantly, an incentive and disincentive system was established that rewarded the student-athletes for high performance in the classroom. This same system parallels internally what the NCAA academic reform movement is attempting to do externally with their new incentive/disincentive system to increase academic achievement and graduation rates.

A scholar-baller was defined as a person in a given academic year who earned a fall, spring, or cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above. First-year scholar-ballers earned a T-shirt. After completion of the academic team competition during their 2nd year, the top three academic teams earned sweat suits that lauded them as “Scholar-ballers—Competing in the Classroom.” Needless to say, this was very well received and reinforced that it really was a benefit to compete and perform well in school. Scholar Ballers were acknowledged by the head football coach at the beginning of each semester, and at the end of the most recent term, the scholar-ballers were rewarded with a steak dinner, hosted by the athletic director. In fall 2004, football student-athletes who achieved scholar-baller status were recognized with the ThinkMan logo jersey patch, the first known time in the history of Division I football that academic prowess had been acknowledged on the jersey.

In the 3 years this program has been implemented, there have been significant increases in team cumulative GPA, fall team GPA, freshman cohort GPA, and retention rates of student-athletes. For example, retention rates skyrocketed to 80% for the three classes that have entered under the coaching staff. The number of football student-athletes earning a GPA of 3.0 rose from figures in the teens in 2000 to 38 in 2004. Another shift occurred with decreases in the number of football student-athletes on probation, which went from 5 after spring semester in 2000 to 8 after spring semester 2001, to 0 in 2004. The number of those disqualified was also 0 in 2004, and the number of student-athletes ineligible to compete due to academics plummeted to only 1 out of 70 recruited student-athletes from 2001 to 2003. Finally, 33 student-athletes earned B or better averages after the 2004 football season and academic semester. Student-athletes in this football program understood from day 1 that they had entered a culture in which it is not okay to do the minimum work required to pass classes and remain eligible. Academic excellence has become the verbal and written goal of most players in the school culture. The following are some quotes and narratives from 2004 scholar-baller participants (N = 28) who were interviewed (open-ended survey question that was transcribed) about becoming the first NCAA Division I school to acknowledge academic success on the front of a football jersey:

It feels good because of the stereotypes that have been set that f-ball players can’t be smart but society always changes. Happy to represent [support the program’s image and concept] by wearing the patch.

It feels good to be recognized for something positive. Many people think of football players as dumb jocks so this was a way to prove that they were wrong. It gave me something to push for.

I feel it is a great honor to wear this patch. The patch is not about separating yourself from others, yet its purpose is to glorify those who work hard in all phases of life. This is a motivation for those who do not have one. I think the patch is a great idea and should be continued through the years.

At first I didn’t like the idea of the razzing we would get on the field. After the first game I played in, no one said anything. After realizing that we are the only school to do so, I felt proud to have the patch on my jersey. My mom also feels that way, more so because she always preaches school to me.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL

As implied by the scholar-baller, it is assumed that this paradigm will serve as a resource for academic and athletic success for all student athletes (scholar-ballers) at any educational institution across the nation. Because this model is being used at the intercollegiate level and has been proven to be successful, it can be assumed that it would be effective at the high school level. However, the model would have to be flexible enough to fit the needs of any interscholastic program in which implementation would take place.

There are many things to consider related to the implementation of the scholar-baller program at the high school level, many of which have already been discussed in this chapter. Other aspects to be considered in the implementation process of scholar-baller would include the socioeconomic status, ethnic background, demographic region, and overall morale of the students at the particular high school in which implementation of the scholar-baller would take place.

Implementation Process of the Scholar-Baller at the High School Level

The scholar-baller implementation process and intervention begin with high school coaches, administrators, counselors, and teachers involved in a life skills curriculum designed to challenge student-athletes to create powerful visions for their future.  The curriculum covers content standards such as (1) self-identity, (2) the competitive spirit, (3) the scholar-baller paradigm, (4) purpose/vision/mission and goals, (5) decision-making system, (6) living the scholar-baller way. The goal of scholar-baller would be to create an environment on high school campuses that will allow student-athletes as well as other students to view education and athletics as means to success. The scholar-baller will empower student-athletes to be better prepared for the rigors of college and the many challenges that it has to offer; grade point averages will increase, and parents will be empowered to support their children not only athletically but also academically. Finally, the scholar-baller will develop critical life skills and give student-athletes the ability to make positive future decisions relating to career and other aspects of life.

THE SCHOLAR-BALLER PATCH:
THE NEW BADGE OF “COOLNESS”

The Motivational Entertainment Educational (MEE) Report (1992) found that urban youth ages 13–18 (N = 387) spent most of their disposable income on clothes, food, music, shoes, and jewelry. This finding has significant implications. One, urban youth set the trends for popular culture, and hip-hop culture is currently one of the most consumed products and commodities in American society (Boyd, 2004; Dyson, 2003). Specifically, marketing, fashion, language, and urban styles in general permeate the most mainstream cultural spaces (Simmons, 2002). In addition, athletic identity is a valued status symbol in secondary education. Thus, the desire to be “cool” often involves the attainment some of the material items found in the MEE Report. Through the previously mentioned cultural facts about urban styles and athletics in secondary education, we hope to see the scholar-baller logo become a “tipping point” and trend (Gladwell, 2000) in American culture. We think this is possible if scholar-baller continues to become aligned, associated with, and embedded in social things youth and young adults value the most.

The essence of the main scholar-baller logos, such as the ThinkMan and ThinkWoman logos, are of a student-athlete sitting at a desk studying— representations that are powerful in their simplicity, with or without additional wording.

         
     ThinkMan          ThinkWoman

These logos, when applied to a piece of apparel, are meant to be a badge of honor that can be proudly worn, a statement of the acceptance of the scholar-baller ideals and the related accomplishments made by each individual. The scholar-baller logos and their related marks and graphics will continue to evolve with recognition, acceptance, specific individual or team needs, and the trends of style.

To date, ThinkMan and ThinkWoman have adorned polo shirts, sweatshirts, sweat suits, shorts, hats, coffee cups, duffel bags, dress shirts, visors, and more. For team uniforms, these logos are placed in a shield of sorts, much like the crests on the shields of battle of honorable warriors in history. The scholar-baller shield, or patch as it is often called, can then be easily worn on any part of a team uniform.

Examples of this already include Arizona State University, which became the first NCAA Division I football team to recognize academic achievement during athletic competition. Hampton University and Morgan State University also “rocked” the patch during the New York Urban League (NYUL) classic, becoming the first of the Historically Black Colleges and Institutions to participate in the scholar-baller patch recognition. Finally, during the 2004 Vitalis Sun Bowl, Arizona State and Purdue University became the first Bowl teams to recognize academic achievements on players’ jerseys based on the scholar-baller concept. (Purdue created a minor version of the scholar-baller patch that was significantly smaller and imageless but based on the ideology and foundation of the scholar-baller incentive system.)

The basic colors of scholar-baller are black and white; the patch is nondenominational yet includes all cultures, teams, sexes, and apparel and gear manufacturers. This is the reason members of the scholar-baller executive team wear white logos on black items or black logos on white items; as a team we really are all-inclusive and quite proud of our collective diversity and accomplishments. However, when a scholar-baller individual or team makes a request for an adaptation of the logo to better blend in with team or organization colors, corresponding color schemes are easily developed, with great attention paid to detail. For example, Arizona State University sent an actual home and away football jersey to the scholar-baller executive team so that a well-coordinated color scheme could be developed. This resulted in “home” and “away” patches being prepared. Patches were then produced in an appropriate volume and sent to the team equipment manager to attach to the uniforms, something which equipment managers often do. As other teams and organizations join the scholar-baller program, this process will be repeated over and over.

A scholar-baller patch or shield on a uniform is but one small piece of the possible recognition offerings. Working closely with representatives from Arizona State University’s athletic department, and understanding their desires for motivational and recognition items, a set of items was prepared: a backpack with a patch applied in ASU colors, a ThinkMan hat in ASU colors, a T-shirt with the ThinkMan on one side and the team goals on the other, and a pair of Nike basketball/street shorts with Thinkman added on the lower leg. Each scholar-baller on the team received one of these sets in a special ceremony.

Much more is planned for the scholar-baller logo set, including continued evolution of the base logos, creation of complementary logos such as the emerging “It’s Cool to be Smart” logo, and development of additional recognition and motivational items. Not only do we want the Scholar-Baller ideals and related curriculum to be embraced by many, but we also want those that are christened scholar-ballers to be able to proudly express this recognition in a variety of ways.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

For over a century, the academic success of student-athletes has been a complex challenge for American postsecondary education. The disconnect and gap between academics, athletics, and popular culture is poignantly articulated by Coleman (1960) in three powerful narratives. First, speaking of adolescence, Coleman said,

In effect, then, what our society has done is set apart, in an institution of their own, adolescents for whom home is little more than a dormitory and whose world is made up of activities peculiar to their fellows. They have been given as well many of the instruments which can make them a functioning community: cars, freedom in dating, continual contact with the opposite sex, money, and entertainment, like popular music and movies, designed especially for them. The international spread of “rock-and-roll” and of so-called American patterns of adolescent behavior is a consequence, I would suggest, of these economic challenges which have set adolescents off in a world of their own. (p. 338)  

This world of their own often consumes American youth in nearly all cultural forms except the lifelong engagement and acquisition of knowledge—educational development. Student-athletes are even more influenced from elementary to postsecondary education by the bombardment and messages about material gain from the athletic and entertainment identity (Gerdy, 1997). What are the effects of a cultural system that reinforces athleticism and not intellectualism? The second narrative by Coleman is key to understanding this question.

Coleman (1960) continues to frame the incentive and reward system of American education and society by having a vision that “the fundamental change which must occur is to shift the focus: to mold social communities as communities, so that the norms of the communities themselves reinforce educational goals rather than inhibit them, as is at the present case” (p. 338). Presently, the social communities have learned to consume athletics, material objects, and immediate gratification at such an influential rate that education is overlooked and neglected as a viable option for success (Harrison, 2002). In a Coleman culture the movies, music, video games, and athletic contests would compliment the pedagogy of schools systems with competency in reading, writing, and arithmetic, commonly known as the 3 Rs. This method could easily enhance educational goals instead of inhibiting them— hence, a method that inspires youth to desire learning and intellectual development throughout their life span. This leads to the third and final narrative.

In the final analysis, Coleman (1960) exposes the bias in American sport and entertainment by indicating the cultural fact that “the outstanding student has little or no way to bring glory to his school” (p. 347) (in comparison to athletics). This is where the scholar-baller paradigm may theoretically and practically influence the culture of American sport by ending the silence around academic success. This is an approach that will, we hope, become the new map for success in America.

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