Carlos: Guillermo, I still remember the first time we met. You were about to start your senior year at the University of California, Riverside.
Guillermo: Yes, it was the summer of 2012.
Carlos: Our friendship began when you became my research assistant. Now you’re on your own fascinating research journey, examining the experiences of Latino college athletes. How did you get into this topic?
Guillermo: While I was growing up, sports brought our family together. It kept us out of trouble. There was gang violence in our neighborhood, so to make sure I didn’t get involved with the wrong crowd, my mother put me into sports.
Carlos: That interest followed you into college, didn’t it?
Guillermo: I played soccer in college and in local leagues. Mainly as a goalkeeper. I began reading about Latino athletes like Chicano movement leader Corky Gonzales, who boxed. I also started noticing academic and athletic inequalities. This sparked my interest in creating better pathways for striving Latino college athletes.
Carlos: Then you became a doctoral student at the University of Houston.
Guillermo: Yes. I started writing class papers on college athletes and Latino students. Professor Billy Hawkins suggested that I merge college athletics with Latino identity. Then Professor Frank Fernandez, now at the University of Florida, encouraged me to combine qualitative and quantitative methods.
Carlos: What have you learned?
Guillermo: Let’s start with family. My interviews and surveys found that most Latino college athletes get introduced to sports by family members. Sort of like what happened to me. Many are first generation college students who respect their parents’ sacrifices, like starting over in a new country without speaking English. They want to make their parents proud through both athletics and academic achievement.
Carlos: What about their experiences?
Guillermo: Latinos build relationships with athletes of all backgrounds. Many of them honor the pioneering efforts of Black athletes. And they feel particular personal validation if they see Latinos throughout their institutions – faculty, athletic staff, and other athletes. This inspires them to do better on and off the field.
Carlos: You were an athlete, a college student, and now a scholar. How has this journey affected you?
Guillermo: I feel honored to conduct this research. As a former athlete I’m committed to using my research to help Latino athletes who are pursuing the college journey.
Carlos: What could improve their opportunities and experiences?
Guillermo: It needs to start in high school, maybe even earlier. And it needs to involve parents. I would love to see regular workshops to introduce Latino parents to the college athletic landscape, such as the recruitment process, which many don’t understand. Today that process is inequitable. It favors individuals with affluent backgrounds who can best take advantage of the pay-to-play pipeline for K-12 students. For example, private coaching, club sports, and travel in teams. This can be very expensive, so Latino athletes from working class families often fall through the cracks.
Carlos: What special features should these workshops have?
Guillermo: Make them culturally relevant, like using Spanish. Speak directly to Latinos in a way that encourages them and helps them pursue academic and athletic opportunities. For example, how to fill out financial aid applications. Many Latino parents are unfamiliar with that process.
Carlos: But there will still be obstacles to overcome, right?
Guillermo: Yes, helping athletes and their parents learn about the process can be time intensive. This is a challenge for busy K-12 teachers, staff, and administrators who wear many hats. The NCAA needs to provide funding to better involve Latinos in this complicated recruitment process.
Carlos: In the last few years there has been a major shift in the college athletic landscape, with more options for individual athletes. How do you think this might affect Latinos?
Guillermo: We’ve now moved into the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era. College athletes can actually make money from their sports achievements. I’m hoping that sponsors will provide platforms that highlight Latino achievements and identity.
Carlos: Where might this lead?
Guillermo: Representation matters. The more that Latino college athletes become visible, the more likely that other young Latinos will pursue athletic and academic opportunities. College sports can benefit by drawing on Latino talent. At the same time, sports can improve educational and athletic options for young Latinos. Sports provides opportunities, yet injuries can happen. But a college degree is forever, so it’s important for young Latinos to see themselves in future professional roles. That’s how we can expand the Latino culture of achievement and social impact.
Carlos: Guillermo, you’re developing a real vision. What’s your next step?
Guillermo: Growing up poor, I make giving back a primary goal. I would like to create a Latino College Athlete Research Center to validate Latino identity in sports and create more future opportunities for Latino athletes. It’s my dream, and I’m committed to making it a reality.
GUILLERMO is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education at Idaho State University.He uses critical qualitative and quantitative methods to examine how higher education institutions and the National Collegiate Athletic Association reproduce systemic and racial inequalities that impact Latino students. His articles can be found in the Journal of Higher Education, Research in Higher Education, and Journal of Diversity in Higher Education.