“John Singer, a professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology and the Division of Sport Management, says “the African-American male presence in big-time college sports today cannot be ignored,” and quoting a 2000 study, notes that “statistical leaders in categories such as rushing and receiving in football, scoring and rebounding in basketball and sprints in track and field are, almost without exception in recent years, African-Americans.” (Media-Newswire.com) - African-Americans in sports have made tremendous strides in the past several decades and their influence in the athletic arena today is stronger than ever, says a Texas A&M University professor who specializes in the sociological aspects of sports.

John Singer, a professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology and the Division of Sport Management, says “the African-American male presence in big-time college sports today cannot be ignored,” and quoting a 2000 study, notes that “statistical leaders in categories such as rushing and receiving in football, scoring and rebounding in basketball and sprints in track and field are, almost without exception in recent years, African-Americans.”

Singer, an expert in the history of African-Americans in sports, says much of today’s progress can be traced to one individual – Sam “Bam” Cunningham, an All-American running back at the University of Southern California.

Playing for USC in 1970, Cunningham ran for 135 yards and scored 2 touchdowns as the Trojans defeated Alabama and legendary coach Paul “Bear’ Bryant 42-21 in Birmingham. Alabama at the time fielded an all-white team. Cunningham’s performance was the key factor in Alabama integrating its football team, and an Alabama assistant coach later said that “Sam Cunningham did more to integrate Alabama in 60 minutes than Martin Luther King did in 20 years.”

Singer says that in recent years, Michael Jordan and LeBron James in basketball and Tiger Woods in golf have given African-American athletes increased exposure.

“Tiger Woods has transformed the PGA tour and James is doing incredible things in the NBA,” he notes of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ star who was drafted out of high school and signed a $90 million shoe contract at the age of 18. “It’s going to be interesting to see just how far his career can really go – on and off the field.”

Singer can speak about these and other sports-related topics and can be reached at ( 979 ) 845-1333 or email at singerjn@hlkn.tamu.edu or Keith Randall at ( 979 ) 845-4644 or email at keith-randall@tamu.edu.”

Seriously, Aggies? I know you’re a little behind, but this is embarrassing.