Brianna Jones was recently named the head women’s volleyball coach at Stevens Institute of Technology after serving four years as an assistant coach at Emory University. She helped guide the Eagles to the NCAA Division III title in 2018 and a runner-up finish in 2019. The 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19. Jones graduated from Georgia State University in 2016 and served as a graduate assistant coach at NCAA Division II Columbus State University before joining the Eagles’ staff.
The UAA “Conversations About Race and Racism” series seeks to lift the voices of people of color and recognize the challenges faced in both athletics and academics at the collegiate level. By sharing personal stories, we hope to elevate the conversation about race to raise awareness and bring about change.
The Stereotype of the Black Athlete
“Black athletes hear comments when they are successful in sports like volleyball that ‘Of course she can hit like that, she is Black, they all jump high!’ or ‘You play volleyball? You must be a hitter. Black players aren’t usually the best passers. They are better hitters because of their athleticism.’ Another thing I have heard is coaches telling players, including myself, that the great play we made was expected because our ‘black athleticism’ gives us an advantage, as if it is a superpower, over non-Black athletes,” Jones remarked. “Stereotypes like these are extremely demeaning and degrading. While some people may view these comments as compliments, it is a back-handed compliment. It makes Black athletes feel like they are only successful because of the color of their skin and not the hard work and dedication they put toward playing their sport.”
Having faced these stereotypes as a volleyball player, she makes sure not to repeat them as a coach. “The idea that Black volleyball players can only play certain positions leads to them being underrepresented in positions like setter and libero. When we are told we shouldn’t ‘waste our athleticism’ on such positions when in fact, we could potentially be extremely successful in any position,” she commented. “My goal during my coaching career is to never put any athlete in a box because of the color of their skin. I want to give my athletes the chance to choose what position they want to play, while also giving them the confidence that their hard work will be noticed and praised. I particularly want to support Black student-athletes in the broadest way possible.”
Misconceptions
“There are many misconceptions others have about me because of my race. People assume that because I am Black, I must coach/play basketball or run track. Often, they don’t expect me to be well-spoken (‘You sound white’) or have a master’s degree, or to have a high volleyball IQ,” she stated. “Because I am in volleyball and have a lot of white friends, people have told me that I am ‘not that Black’ or say, ‘You are not like the others.’”
Like so many other Black women, Jones deals with the ‘angry Black woman’ stereotype. “I have been told, ‘You are different. I thought you were going to be like those mean Black women.’ This is not dissimilar from people saying, ‘Oh, I would never fight Bri because… well, you know,’” she divulged. “Even when people are trying to compliment Black women, they qualify it by saying something like ‘You are so pretty for a Black woman.’ The comments I hear are things I will never forget.”
Lack of Representation
“The biggest challenges I have faced being at majority white schools is the lack of representation in higher positions at the institution. When you see so few people who look like you within a department and the school as a whole, it can be discouraging for a young professional,” Jones described. “It can make someone like me think that no matter what I do, I can’t take on leadership roles at highly academic predominantly white institutions. It may not seem like a huge challenge at the moment in the grand scheme of things, but it does affect my confidence for my future goals.”
She sees multiple impacts as a result of those challenges. “It is a reminder that I have to work 10 times harder than my colleagues to get the same opportunities. The lack of representation also makes me fear that most leaderships roles are dominated by people who do not understand my culture, my hair, my history, and those differences will make me feel less welcomed,” she expressed.
Advice for Other People of Color Who Want to Coach
“First and foremost, DO IT! Go coach and be unapologetically yourself. While you may not have colleagues at the moment who share your culture or race, you have an opportunity to learn through the sport you love and to help shape the future of your student-athletes, particularly those who do look like you and share many of your experiences,” she communicated. “The same way seeing people of color in leadership benefits young professionals like me, we can be that person as a coach to those who may not have seen coaches of color.”
As much as Jones hopes to impact the women she coaches, the benefits are mutual. “The athletes I get a chance to mentor and connect with have changed my life in unimaginable ways. I learn from them that I am making a difference in ways I don’t realize, simply by being my authentic self. If you want to coach, go coach! You will change lives without realizing it by doing what you love. Do not be afraid to take risks because the benefits will fulfill you in ways you have never felt before.”
Role of Allies and Teammates
“Of the many things allies can do, the biggest thing they can do is to research racial issues and have a dialogue amongst themselves. Take what you learn to share and discuss with other potential allies. The conversations do not need to be held around ethnic minorities. Change truly happens when leaders and people of power decide to make systemic changes,” Jones conjectured. “The world is full of resources for allies to learn from. Many people experiencing challenges around race don’t always want to educate about what they are going through so asking them questions can’t be your only research avenue.”
Jones believes that teams can play a major role in supporting people of color. “Individual student-athletes and teams both have huge platforms to discuss many issues. As a team, being supportive of the organizations working to deconstruct harmful stereotypes and systemic racism is key. Finding monetary ways to support these organizations or volunteering can be vital both for the team and the movements,” she remarked. “Teams speaking out on important issues can also make them more united on and off the court.”
“Individual students have to realize that educating a fellow student-athlete or just speaking up for another teammate is an essential role,” she continued. “Change starts with one person talking to another person, which eventually turns into large groups of people. If student-athletes are not confident they can make a difference, they will lose sight that even the smallest reinforcement or deconstruction could help down the road. In addition, a player could educate their parents, who may become active in their own community. The sports world’s platform is huge, so I believe it should be used to help make change. People are always watching sports so why not use it to be beneficial in so many ways?”