Navajo hoops and higher learning: A study of female high school basketball players and their post-secondary academic success

摘要

This study identifies, describes, and analyzes female Navajo participation in high school basketball and that participation's impact on the students' post-secondary academic experience. Two major hypotheses were formulated: (1) female Navajo participation in high school basketball does contribute to future post-secondary academic success (2) the basketball players' support group played a significant role in the students' future academic or athletic success. The total sample of 18 included former basketball players, former non-athletes, family members, and high school teachers and staff. My findings were: (1) the support group contributed significantly to the students' future academic and athletic success (2) the importance of Navajo cultural values and philosophy significantly impacted the students' post-secondary academic success (3) participation in basketball began as fun, but transformed into a positive learning experience that reinforced and provided structure for previously learned values from Navajo culture, family, and/or significant mentors and role models.