The Mentoring and Connectivism of African American Male Students Who Participate in Recreational Sports Programs

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter was to examine the factors influencing the mentoring and connectivism of retaining African American male students through participation in recreational sports programs. It is being reported that improvements in participation and success for African Americans are encouraging, particularly among males, but there is more to be done. The study was conducted at one regional university within the state of Texas that has an established recreational sports facility and programs. There were a total of six African American male participants chosen for this study. Findings from this study affirm that recreational sports provide opportunities for students to be connected, feel comfortable, and build relationships with their faculty as well as the staff.