Journal of Physical Education and Sports Management

Racial Integration or Segregation? An Ethnographic Study Exploring College Students’ Interracial Interactions in Recreational Sport
Jin Park, Jiyoung Park

Abstract
This study sought to examine a) whether interactions between college students who play recreational basketball are racially integrated or segregated and b) identify patterns how those interactions differ by races. Considering the current research gap in interracial interactions and relationships in the context of college recreational sport, it is imperative to examine racial segregation or integrationoccurring in an informal setting in college by extending the existing studies focusing primarily on middle school or high school. Data obtained from field observations revealed a pattern that there were few interracial interactions in recreational basketball games. Our observational data also revealed racial differences in the style of play (e.g., leadership, teamwork) and communication. This study has a significant theoretical implication as finding racialself-segregation of college students in recreational sport. Our findings also provide insights into practitioners in higher education regarding how to ameliorate campus recreational environmentfor encouraging racial integration through sport.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jpesm.v7n1a1