March Madness Meets Black History: Breaking Barriers And Calling Out The Foul Play Of Racism

Black student-athletes have been pivotal in the rise and profitability of college basketball, yet despite their significant contributions, they encounter racial discrimination both on and off the court. The NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, which rake in millions annually, owe much of their success to Black athletes. According to Forbes, Black men make up half of the teams in the 2024 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, while over a third of the student-athletes in the women’s tournament are Black.

This surge in Black representation is a relatively recent development, considering that college basketball was predominantly white until the 1950s, with Black players being rare exceptions. The legacy of exclusion had enduring effects, with the first Black coach to win the NCAA basketball tournament being John Thompson in 1984, leading the Georgetown Hoyas to victory.

On the women’s side, Kenny Brooks made history as the first Black head coach to guide Virginia Tech to their inaugural final four appearance just last year. Despite these milestones, racial issues persist in college basketball. Incidents like racial hate crimes targeting Utah’s women’s basketball team and racialized depictions of LSU in the media underscore the ongoing challenges faced by Black athletes.

A recent controversy involved a Los Angeles Times article that used racist and sexist undertones in describing the Sweet 16 game between UCLA and LSU. The piece sparked outrage for its offensive language, with player Hailey Van Lith expressing concern about the racial bias directed at her teammates.

Research into March Madness broadcasts reveals that stereotypes about race and skin tone influence how announcers describe players, highlighting the pervasive racialization within sports. Such findings underscore the importance of addressing racial biases in sports commentary and media coverage.

In conclusion, while Black athletes have played a central role in the success of college basketball, their journey has been marred by racial discrimination and stereotyping. It is imperative for stakeholders in the sports industry to confront and combat these issues to ensure a more inclusive and equitable environment for all athletes.

Repurposed article originally published in Essence.