‘Losing to Win:’ Race and college athletics

Scholars, journalists, coaches, athletes, and athletic administrators will examine the complex racial issues affecting intercollegiate athletics during a major conference at Wake Forest April 13 and 14.

The conference, “Losing to Win,” will be held in the Benson University Center. It is free and open to the public.

A number of panel discussions will look at the racial issues of big-time athletics, including the recruitment of student-athletes; the lack of minorities in the coaching ranks; support services for athletes; the media’s portrayal of African American student-athletes; and the implications of Title IV gender equity.

The conference was organized by professors Earl Smith (sociology) and Tim Davis (law). Panelists or presenters from Wake Forest include Ahmed Taha (law), Omari Simmons (law), Hunter Willard (student athlete services), Dwight Lewis (student athlete services), Anthony Williams (multicultural affairs), John Llewellyn (communication), Beth Hopkins (law) and Angela Hattery (research professor).

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