Congratulations to Herman Scriven, who on Tuesday July 21, 2026, successfully defended his dissertation.
The title of Herman's dissertation is, "EXPLORING FOOTBALL COACHES’ PERCEPTIONS OF SUPPORTING THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYERS."
The abstract of this study follows:
Overview of Problem: African American high school football players often encounter systemic barriers that impede their academic success, including limited access to educational resources, cultural biases within school environments, and an overwhelming focus on athletics. These challenges can lead to significant disparities in academic achievement, impacting long-term opportunities for these student-athletes. Coaches, as pivotal figures in their lives, have the potential to influence both their academic and athletic journeys.
Research Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine high school football coaches’ perceptions of academic support programs to identify strengths, limitations, and opportunities for improvement. for African American football players. The study was guided by the ARCS model of motivation, which provides a framework for understanding how academic support strategies impact student engagement and success.
Research Design: This study employed an interpretive qualitative research design informed by the ARCS model of motivation.
Sample: Ten high school football coaches (9 African American and 1 Caucasian) from the West Coast of Florida participated in the study.
Data Collection and Analysis: Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, a demographic survey, document analysis, and a researcher’s journal. Data were analyzed through descriptive and thematic analysis.
Findings/Results: Five core themes emerged: (1) Coaching as Mentorship / Mission (2) The Inadequacy of Current Academic Policies (3) Integrating Academic Responsibilities with Athletic Life (4) Structured Support Systems and the Architecture of Care and (5) Equity, Resource Disparities, and Community Pressures. These themes revealed that coaches are committed to the academic success of their players but face significant obstacles, including insufficient resources and a school culture that prioritizes athletics over academics.
Conclusions/Implications: The findings underscored the need for educational institutions to foster a culture that values both academic and athletic responsibilities equally. Recommendations included formal mentorship initiatives and collaborative relationships among stakeholders to create more supportive environments for African American student-athletes.
Dissertation Committee Chair:
Dr. Shelley B. Wepner
Dissertation Committee Members:
Dr. Peter F. Troiano
Dr. James Brown
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