Dr. Billy Hawkins, Professor AT THE University of Houston

Dr. Hawkins, Professor University of Houston is the author of the 2010 book The New Plantation: Black Athletes, College Sports, and Predominantly White NCAA Institutions, offers his insights on the little discussed racial dynamics in big-time college sports. Dr. Hawkins makes the case that we should view athletes’ rights as civil rights, a framework the NCAA and Power 5 reject.

00:00 Dr. Hawkins' background

01:45 Mini-history lesson on civil rights in the sports context

08:19 Dr. Hawkins' 2010 book "The New Planation: Black Athletes, College Sports, and Predominantly White NCAA Institutions"

11:56 The importance of the athlete voice

15:50 Stakeholders' failure to address core exploitation issues

18:32 Athlete activism and self-help

22:14 The work of Dr. Henry Edwards in sports-related civil rights

29:45 Complexities of desegregation and its implications in college sports

37:10 The role of diversity, equity and inclusion structures at the institutional level

40:46 Dr. Hawkins' advice to athletes on advocacy

47:17 Current state of debate on college sports civil rights issues

Note: For hyper-linked timestamps, please view the podcast on our YouTube channel.