Study: Grad rates between blacks, whites widening

[December 08, 2009]  ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A new study shows a slight growth in the disparity between graduation rates for white and black college football players for schools headed to bowl games.

The annual study released Monday by the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport also showed overall academic progress.

But according to the study, 21 schools graduated fewer than 50 percent of their black football players. That's up from 19 percent last year.

Institute director Richard Lapchick is surprised by the widening gap between whites and blacks because those numbers had closed in recent years.

The study is based on NCAA statistics from member institutions. The analysis is of the 67 schools that accepted bowl invitations by Monday.

[Associated Press; By ANTONIO GONZALEZ]

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