"I think it can be read both ways," said Mary Jo Kane, a sports sociologist at the University of Minnesota.

But the precedent Maryland may be setting concerns Kane, the sports sociologist from Minnesota.

The obvious reason for this is stereotyping on the part of white people in power, say many sports sociologists, but there could also be more subtle factors.

Edwards is an associate professor of sociology at the University of California and a well-known sports sociologist.

Kane, the sports sociologist at Minnesota, said she once heard a female coach say that the best coaching qualifications for a woman are to be divorced with no children.

"It reminded me that athletes are human beings," said Mary Jo Kane, a sports sociologist at the University of Minnesota.

"Some parents are conflicted about the very high profile of these athletes," said Jerry M. Lewis, a sports sociologist at Kent State.

Edwards, a sports sociologist from the University of California, Berkeley, has been counseling the 49er players for the past two years.

Who's the radical sports sociologist who hung out with the basketball star Bill Walton?