I Know I Can Learn: The Experiences of NCAA Division I – FBS Student-Athletes with Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD in Higher Education

With the evolvement of the NCAA’s initial and continuing eligibility practices throughout the past two decades, interest in studying the experience of student-athletes has increased (Gayles, 2009). Student-athletes have long been stereotyped as “dumb jocks” (Harrison et al., 2009; Sack & Staurowsky, 1988). Campus groups such as faculty members and students suspect that student-athletes lack intelligence (King & Springwood, 2001; Sailes, 1998), and put forth far less motivation in the classroom than they do on the playing field (Baucom & Lantz, 2001; Burke, 1993; Watt & Moore, 2001).

Student-athletes, especially those with learning disabilities can potentially face harsh scrutiny due to being labeled as not only a student-athlete, but as a person with a learning disability (Clark & Parette, 2002). When an individual is aware of the negative stereotype surrounding his or her social group, depending on the situation that the individual is in, there is a possibility of stereotype threat (Steele & Aronson, 1995). Despite the countless studies that have utilized stereotype threat, studies that use the theory pertaining to student-athletes, as well as literature involving those with learning disabilities are scarce (Aguino, 2011).

Although research has focused on educational experiences in regards to the general student-athlete population, little is known about the experiences of student-athletes with diagnosed learning disabilities and/or ADHD. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of NCAA Division I FBS football student-athletes who have been diagnosed with a learning disability and/or ADHD. Nine football student-athletes at an NCAA Division-I FBS institution were interviewed. Three major themes appeared throughout the data: the impact of football, learning competence, and stereotypes. The results of this study will allow those working with this particular population of student-athletes to develop a greater understand of their experience, and can ultimately assist in eliminating stereotype threat, which will lead to an increase in the academic performance of student-athletes with learning disabilities and/or ADHD (Cohen, Purdie-Vaughns, & Garcia, 2012; Clark & Parette, 2002).