Dr. Brandon Crooms, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Sports Management at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He earned a Ph.D in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Physical Education Teacher Education at the University of Texas. His research focuses on the influence of Christian faith in the development of racial and athletic identities of Black male student-athletes. He is committed to taking his research beyond the classroom and into the world so that he can further understand the complexities of student-athlete’s identities and provide opportunities for holistic and spiritual development. He has given invited lectures to academic audiences in several countries including Bermuda, China, and South Africa.

 

Brandon’s aim as a coach, mentor, motivational speaker, educator, and minister, is to put his research to practice by empowering the youth. Through his work he has identified an issue of self-perception among athletes seeking meaning outside of sport with an overly emphasized focus on athletic performance or a “Ball is Life” mentality. He believes with proper mentorship and coaching the youth can better position themselves for success in sports and life. Founder of Crooms Collective, Brandon uses sports, fitness, and education as a tool to address the health and social needs of communities. Brandon’s coaching services specialize in youth male athlete development emphasizing social skills, academic readiness, athletic progress, and spiritual/character cultivation. His coaching services extend to consultation in youth program development, professional and leadership development, fitness training, and sports team empowerment.  

 

Brandon played basketball for the North Carolina A&T State University’s traveling intramural team, NC A&T Undisputed, winning the NIRSA/NCCS National Intramural Basketball Championship his first year on the team. His leadership skills and work ethic rewarded him as team captain his senior year. Due to his love for the game, he continued to play competitively for semi-professional basketball teams in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.