Dr. Boyce Video -- Black Female Athletes Excel in the Ivy League

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As most of you know from my book 'Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about College,' I am a strong believer in the importance of academic achievement. Black people are phenomenal in so many ways, and I've never understood those who don't simply translate our commitment to excellence in other areas to what we can become academically. The great thing about excelling academically is that the rewards pay off for a lifetime, whether they be financial, social or otherwise. I didn't become a free and strong black man until I became fully educated.

The same set of rules applies for black women. So, in order for us to learn by example, I interviewed three outstanding black female athletes -- Kyra Caldwell, Sharay Hale and Monique Roberts -- who attend Columbia University, an Ivy League school in New York City.


Rising out of the rough streets of Detroit, Kyra has become an Ivy League champion in two individual events, the 400-meter hurdles and the 100-meter hurdles. Sharay is one of the top 10 400-meter dash runners in the nation. Monique was not only the Ivy League champion in the high jump, but she's also a volleyball star. All three of these women have only been in college for two years and have come to form the backbone of Columbia track and field.

I interviewed these three young women because they started from humble beginnings and are now doing amazing things with their lives. Also, not only have they become athletic stars, they've also turned into high academic achievers. As great as they are in sports, the reality is that it is their academic choices that will pay off the most. Sports are temporary for most of us, and it is the smart athlete who uses sports as a stepping stone for additional academic opportunity. Dribbling a basketball will never protect you from not knowing how to read. (Just ask all the NBA and NFL players who watched their agents with MBAs steal their money from them). The interview is below, enjoy!

PRODUCTION PLAYER! DO NOT DELETE.


Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the Athlete Liberation and Academic Reform Movement (ALARM). To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here.

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