Show Notes

Bo-Dean became the first male on his mother's side of the family to receive a four-year, Bachelor of Arts degree. Bo-Dean Sanders transferred from Cheyney University, the oldest Historically Black College-University (HBCU) in America, to Villanova University, where he played football on a majority white team. After Villanova, which had previously dropped football after the 1980 season, reinstated it in 1984. Bo-Dean acclimated to the majority white team and in 1989, earned his varsity ring and jacket. In his memoir entitled "Race Against....Against Race", he writes about diversity & inclusion in sports and the positive impact multiculturalism had on his personal relationships in college. Bo-Dean is currently a board member of the Delaware County Press Club. Over the years, Bo-Dean has been part of notable articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Delco Times, Town Talk, Delaware Business Magazine, Out & About Magazine, County Press, and Main Line Today.  A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Bo-Dean currently resides in Delaware County, PA.

Race Against…Against Race is Bo-Dean Sanders’ memoir about transcending stereotypes through the foundation of
sports. He provides a unique perspective on building relationships with teammates and classmates from different
socio-economic backgrounds and races by reaching out, talking, and listening. It’s the story of one young athlete’s dream of playing college football and the racial divides that unfolded as he tried to fit in on a predominantly white campus. He slowly integrates into his new environment by staying positive and focusing on shared experiences like chasing dreams. While painting a picture of a student athletes’ campus life in the ‘80s, Sanders aims to examine the issues of race through his participation in college sports. He discovered that he and his teammates learned from each other to develop and grow relationships based on mutual respect and acceptance.

Bo-Dean his siblings were raised by their single mother. He learned his values by attending his grandmother’s Baptist church. His love of sports began while watching college football on Saturdays and NFL games on Sundays. Bo-Dean also represented Jean Ribault High, his all-Black high school, as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) athlete of the year during the 1981–1982 season.

Bo-Dean is currently a member of the Delco Press Club. Over the years, Bo-Dean has been part of notable articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Delco Times, Town Talk, Delaware Business Magazine, Out & About Magazine, County Press, and Main Line Today. Bo-Dean writes about diversity & inclusion in sports and the positive impact multiculturalism had on his personal relationships in college.