Systemic abuse in college sports: How power structures enable coercion and silence survivors

Indigenous traditions often frame mentorship as a sacred duty with built-in checks and balances, where abuse of power is met with communal intervention. The absence of such structures in U.S. college sports reflects a colonial legacy of hierarchical control, where authority is unquestioned and dissent is suppressed. Survivors like Shiver occupy a liminal space between institutional loyalty and personal autonomy, mirroring historical patterns of Indigenous erasure in mainstream narratives.

The history of U.S. college sports is rife with institutionalized abuse, from the 19th-century 'tramp athletes' exploited for revenue to the modern era of 'amateurism' that denies athletes fair compensation. The 1972 passage of Title IX aimed to address gender equity but often reinforced power imbalances by prioritizing male-dominated sports cultures. Legal precedents, such as the 2021 NCAA v. Alston ruling, have chipped away at amateurism myths, yet institutions continue to resist structural change.

In Japan, high school baseball programs operate under strict ethical guidelines enforced by the Japan High School Baseball Federation, with coaches subject to community oversight. Scandinavian models separate athletic development from educational institutions, reducing conflicts of interest and prioritizing athlete well-being. The contrast with U.S. systems highlights how cultural values—individualism vs. collectivism, competition vs. cooperation—shape institutional responses to abuse.

Research in sports psychology demonstrates that high-power-distance cultures (like U.S. college sports) correlate with increased athlete vulnerability to coercion and mental health issues. Studies on organizational behavior show that unchecked authority in hierarchical systems fosters toxic climates, with bystander complicity enabling abuse. Neuroscientific evidence links chronic stress in athletes to long-term cognitive and emotional harm, underscoring the urgency of systemic reform.

Artistic depictions of athlete-coach relationships often romanticize control as necessary for 'greatness,' as seen in films like *Friday Night Lights* or *Rudy*. Spiritual traditions across cultures warn against idolatry of authority figures, framing such deference as a distortion of trust. Survivors' narratives, when centered, reveal the spiritual violence of betrayal by those meant to guide, echoing themes in mythologies where mentors become predators.

Future scenarios for U.S. college sports include either continued resistance to change, leading to more scandals and legal reckonings, or the adoption of independent athlete welfare boards with binding authority. Technological solutions like blockchain-based reporting systems could create tamper-proof records of athlete-coach interactions. The rise of athlete-led unions may shift power dynamics, but institutional inertia remains a formidable barrier.

Black women athletes face compounded risks due to racialized stereotypes that frame them as 'strong' and thus less vulnerable to exploitation. LGBTQ+ athletes often fear outing or retaliation, further silencing their experiences. The intersection of gender, race, and class in sports cultures mirrors broader patterns of institutional gaslighting, where marginalized voices are dismissed as 'overreacting' or 'ungrateful.'