John Singer, associate professor in the Texas A&M Department of Health and Kinesiology, will address issues involving black males in large-scale college sports in his lecture Friday.
Singer came to A&M in 2006 after work at James Madison University. Within the Division of Sport Management, Singer conducts research under the umbrella of diversity and social justice in sports. He conducted research through the National Collegiate Athletic Association regarding diversity practices in athletic departments.
Singer's talk, "The African American Male as a Primary Stakeholder of Big-Time College Sport," comes from experience that the associate professor first showed interest in as a graduate student.
"I chose this topic based on my experiences working with African-American male football and basketball athletes as an academic mentor and summer bridge program assistant coordinator during my graduate school days," Singer said. "It was during this time that I really began to take an interest in this particular population and their educational interests as stakeholders of college sport."
Singer will discuss various factors influencing the decisions and outcomes of this group of college athletes in regards to educational and career goals. The topic is tailored to a specific group of individuals, but the talk is open and applicable to all interested and curious members of the community.
Singer recognizes that any opportunity for advancement of knowledge is an opportunity that should be seized by all people, especially the students he interacts with daily. He said all students should take an interest in advancing their education both in and out of the lecture hall.
"One bit of advice I'd give to all students is to always seek knowledge and never be content knowing what you think you know," Singer said. "Higher education is indeed about higher learning, or an elevated level of thinking and knowing based on your classroom, and more broadly, life experiences and pursuits."
The presentation is a continuation of the African American Professional Organization's First Friday Lecture Series, which highlights topics from many professors on campus. The lectures serve to propel the mission of the AAPO into the college community.
"AAPO is an organization that serves as a vehicle through which African Americans, in particular, can be fully recognized as contributing members to Texas A&M University, its local system components, and the community at-large," Singer said.
The AAPO is an organization through Texas A&M University that has worked since 1991 to support black members on the Texas A&M campus and within the Bryan-College Station community. It serves as a personal network for the community and as a political initiative vehicle to address black concerns in local, state and national legislative bodies. The monthly lecture series allows members of the organization to share knowledge gained in their respective fields with A&M faculty, staff and students.
"It is a social justice organization that provides a great social network of people for African Americans to connect with," Singer said.
Listen in The First Friday Lecture Series will be at 11:45 a.m. in Koldus 111. Lunch will be served for those that register online at rgs.tamu.edu/events. The lecture will begin at noon and is open to all.
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