Not just tiger and serena: African Americans are excelling in other "white" sports

Black Enterprise, Sept, 2004 by Nkechi I. Olisemeka

Athens, Greece, the historical playground for courageous athletes, sets the stage for the 2004 Olympic Games. World spectators eagerly await these contestants who promise to perform at the highest levels in a setting that combines athleticism, discipline, and sportsmanship. Siblings, Keeth and Erinn Smart of the U.S. Olympic fencing team, and Dain Blanton of the U.S. Olympic volleyball team bring diversity and growth to their sports.

It is no surprise that New York natives, Keeth, 26, and Erinn, 24, are excited about participating in the 2004 Olympics. They qualified for the Olympics in March and solidified their success by winning titles at the U.S. Fencing National Championships in April. "It is a great honor. I've worked really hard for the past three years and this represents my efforts," says Keeth. In 2000, Keeth admits that he did not perform well During that period Liz Smart, Erinn and Keeth's mother, was battling cancer, which made focusing on fencing difficult. However, it is a new day for Keeth and Erinn, with their mother in recovery they are confident in their skills and technical abilities.

Keeth hopes to alter preconceived notions of African Americans that exist within some American and European communities. In March 2003, Keeth became the first American to reach a number one world ranking in fencing. When asked how he feels about breaking now ground and being compared to the likes of Tiger Woods, and Venus and Serena Williams, Keeth modestly responds, "It's a great opportunity to promote the sport. I don't look at myself as a true trailblazer of tire spurt. Like Venus and Serena, there were African Americans before me Peter Westbrook broke down the barriers that I may have had to face when I first started." Westbrook is a six time member of the U.S. Olympic team and the winner of the bronze medal in fencing in 1984. As the founder and executive director of the Peter Westbrook Foundation, Westbrook closely reentered the Smarts. Westbrook taught them to take advantage of opportunities and to remain flexible.

Race continues to be a topic of discussion in sports especially for African Americans who dare to make their mark in unexplored arenas. African American public figures sometimes confront the conundrum of being defined solely by their race before their accomplishments are recognized. "I don't always want to be known as the black athlete," Keeth states, "I am very proud of my racial background and I accept it I just don't want anyone to prejudge me. I fence and I happen to be black. I'm proud of that. Hopefully they'll be kids behind me who will be able to continue that message."

Many athletes want the public to look at their performance beyond the boundaries of race; however, diversity in any field proves to be a win-win situation, particularly in business. The Smarts recognize that diversity in fencing is beneficial for business when it conies to garnering donations and sponsorships from various organizations Keeth is partnering with Monster.com to help Olympians transition back to the workforce after the Olympics. He also wears a patch from his employer, Verizon, as a sign of sponsorship.

Erinn and Keeth received degrees in finance and economics history, respectively. Even within the limelight, these bright champions know that there is life after the Olympics. Erinn will work for the financial firm Lord Abbott, while Keeth wants to eventually pursue an MBA at a top tier school.

We now move from the fact-paced life of Brooklyn, to sunny California where Dain Blanton dazzles spectators with his beach volleyball skills. In 1997, he became the first African American to win a men's pro beach volleyball tournament. Blanton, 31, from Laguna Beach already has a gold medal under his belt from the 2000 Sydney games and remains optimistic about this year.

To its detriment, beach volleyball as a sport has not made a conscientious effort to reach minority groups. Diversity is vital to the sport and good promotion is necessary. "The sport has to be more diverse if it wants to get bigger. If people see me and say, 'if he looks like me and he's doing it, so can I.' Hopefully, I can be a pioneer in the sport," Blanton states.

African American children who aspire to play professional basketball, football, or baseball have many people to admire The dearth of African Americans from professional volleyball did not discourage Blanton, since he had basketball players like Magic Johnson and professional volleyball player, Sinjin Smith to look up to Tiger Woods is one of Blanton's favorite athletes to watch. He respects Woods' classiness, professionalism, and composure, especially since Woods has recently been bombarded with the media's criticism of his golf performances. Blanton is reminiscent of the days when athletes such as Johnson and Smith were focused on winning championships rather than landing big contracts and highlights on ESPN.

Blanton's strength on the court is obvious to anyone who watches him; however, he uses his sports celebrity to be an inspiration to kids. Blanton established "Dain's Day at the Beach," in 1997 to expose urban kids in the Los Angeles area to beach volleyball. The sky is the limit as he currently plans projects to reach children overseas "I love working with kids It's all about being an inspiration and making a difference in the world. If you can help out the kids and get them on the right track then that's a good thing," says Blanton. As far as Blanton is concerned, he is simply giving back to a sport that has given him a lot. It has taken him around the world, provided an education, and a fruitful career.