Darren Kelly

Email: darren.kelly@austin.utexas.edu

My research centers on the academic, social, and athletic development of intercollegiate student-athletes. Through my research, I am seeking to improve the overall college experience that student-athletes have, especially for student-athletes of color.

My current research projects include:

The Racial Integration of Texas Football: Did it really foster progress for African Americans at the University of Texas at Austin?

Looking through newspapers, books, and official UT documents, I have taken an in-depth look at how Texas integrated their most prominent athletic program to look at the impact it had on race relations for students and student-athletes on campus and citizens in the Austin community.

‘Black students first, athletes second': The creation of the Student Athlete Coalition at the University of Texas at Austin

This historical study takes a critical look at the creation of a political organization for student-athletes at the university during the spring of 1990. This paper analyzes the ability and impact of student-athlete activism at that time and the potential for student-athletes to organize, advocate, and speak out on important issues today.

A Conceptual Framework for Mentoring African American Male Student-Athletes at Predominately White Institutions

This study seeks to redefine how student affairs staff, athletic departments, and faculty mentor African American male student-athletes with a focus on incorporating a diverse set of mentors from different knowledge bases on and off campus.

Assisting African American male student-athletes with their transition from high school to college

With this project, I am seeking to determine the academic, social, and athletic needs of black male student-athletes as they enroll in college. Through personal interviews with current student-athletes, it is my intent to bring their most pressing needs to the forefront to potentially use as the basis for mentoring and other programs designed to improve their first-year experience.