Whitney Young Evening of Hoops at Norfolk State University

by Quincy Dinnerson, DSW, ACSW, Shaniece Wynn, and Ebony D. Goodman

     The Whitney Young Society is the namesake of the social work society at The Ethlyn R. Strong School of Social Work at Norfolk State University.  Whitney Young, Jr., was arguably the National Urban League’s most influential executive director. 

     The purpose of the Whitney Young Social Work Society is to supplement classroom work through discussions on subjects related to the field, promoting efforts on behalf of human well-being through social action, listening to and conferring with speakers in the field, and the sponsorship of group tours related to projects in social work for academic purposes, thus developing a one-to-one relationship among students with a common purpose. In integrating knowledge into practice, the social work society strategized to develop a program that would be impactful during Black History Month, not only involving fun but a way to learn advocacy. The society decided to focus on Competency 3 as a foundation of the program development. 

     Competency 3 is to advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice. The competency behavior instructs faculty to teach and students to engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice. The society did just that by taking on the task of bringing light and education to Title IX. The educational amendment of Title IX was signed by President Nixon in June 1972 to become a law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that is federally funded. 

     The society's goal was to bring about change in how students support women's sports. The society set a goal to educate  peers on the policy and discuss how women's sports are not well attended or supported on campus. The society selected one sport, basketball, and chose a game to support the women’s basketball team and advocate for other students to support the women’s basketball team equally to the men’s. The society met to discuss diversity and  equality over social activities, while designing signs in support of the basketball team. Some of the executive board members spoke with members of the coaching staff and players to gain insight into the life of a female athlete or coach at an HBCU in Division 1. The board reflection follows:

     This was a groundbreaking law, specifically for women in sports. It allowed them to participate in sports equally to their male counterparts.

     Though Title IX has brought about many opportunities for women, specifically as part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), women’s basketball, its effectiveness, and its usefulness have been criticized throughout the nation. Chanette Hicks and La’Deja James are two women’s basketball players attending Norfolk State University who were interviewed by Shaniece Wynn and Chyna Brown pertaining to Title IX and their collegiate basketball experience. Their coach, Larry Vickers, was also interviewed about Title IX and what it means to his team.

     Hicks, a fifth-year senior, stated that her school’s general knowledge of this law does not do it justice, and when people hear "Title IX," they think that the “girls want to be like the guys,” but there is more to the law than gender equality, such as protection from sexual harassment. Part of Title IX states that no person, on the basis of sex, should be subjected to discrimination. Hicks says that every day, women on campus and on her team face some form of sexual harassment.

     Chanette Hicks is a transfer student who was acquainted with having Title IX meetings on a monthly basis at her previous school. These meetings, attended by all athletes and their coaches, explained Title IX in depth, to ensure everyone’s competence on the matter. Since she has attended Norfolk State University, Hicks only recalls attending one Title IX meeting. Hicks believes that Title IX meetings are not easily accessible to all collegiate women and are not as frequent as she would like, which decreases women’s likeliness to express their feelings about Title IX discrepancies. It was also stated that Title IX is not only helpful for equality, but it gives the women the opportunity to “talk to someone and to know that someone is there for them.”

     James, also a senior, believes that “the girls are just as good as the guys.” Unlike Hicks, James feels that her team is comfortable speaking on Title IX issues but agreed that the meetings should occur more frequently. A native of the Hampton Roads, La’Deja expressed that sexual harassment occurs every day, and if Title IX meetings were held routinely, the women on campus would be more comfortable with “telling their story.” James’ ideal basketball experience would be to have a close game and to have the stands packed out.

     Larry Vickers, a former NSU men’s basketball player, has coached the women’s basketball team for four seasons. Vickers says that Title IX has made it possible for the world to see how great women can be at sports and give them equal rights, but what it has failed to do is give women equal pay. When faced with women’s basketball coaching questions, Vickers reaches out to Amanda Butler, the head coach of women’s basketball at Clemson University. She tells her team to “handle your business like a woman,” which is something that Vickers has adopted as his philosophy of coaching.

Game Reflection

     Ebony Goodman: Supporting the Lady Spartans at the basketball game against Coppin State University was a fun and exciting experience. It was the first women’s basketball game I have attended since being at NSU. It felt good to support them while they were working hard on the basketball court. Although the ladies lost, I’m sure they felt good about the game since they worked hard to catch back up with CSU after being down a couple of points during the game. I also had a great time socializing with other social work students and professors. Supporting the team made me realize that it is important to support everyone on campus, because it makes a difference in the end.

     Dr. Dinnerson (writing as one of the advisors of the Whitney Young Social Work Society): It’s my duty to foster learning opportunities outside of the classroom and practicum for students to apply and demonstrate their social work knowledge. In advising these wonderful students, I always encourage them to think of the profession of social work and how you can always apply curriculum knowledge to programs, as well as how to advance the profession and yourself to great success. 

Quincy Dinnerson has more than eight years of work experience in social work, specifically in areas of school social work and mental health. He obtained a BSW with a specialization in school social work from North Carolina A&T State University, as well as an MSW with a focus on advocacy, leadership, and social change from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Dinnerson completed his Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) from St. Catherine University – the University of St. Thomas. Dr. Dinnerson is currently Assistant Professor/BSW Field Education Director in the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work at Norfolk State University.

Ebony Goodman has an associate degree in science from Tidewater Community College and is a current BSW student at Norfolk State University. She is employed by the City of Norfolk working in the Parks & Recreation Department as a recreation programmer.

Shaniece Wynn is a senior at Norfolk State University, pursuing her bachelor’s degree in social work. She is the president of the Social Work Society and is dedicated to highlighting inequalities amongst women and advocating for their equal rights and protection.