Date of Award
4-15-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Educational Leadership, Ed.D.
First Advisor
Topeka Singleton
Committee Members
Chris Jenkins; Minghui Gao
Abstract
This study explores the transition process for collegiate student-athletes retiring from sport, particularly at small colleges or universities in the Midwest, where student-athlete enrollment is significant. The problem addressed is the lack of structured support systems to aid student-athletes in navigating this transition. This affects their psychological well-being, career preparedness, and overall life satisfaction. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to identify potential components for a transition process that assists student-athletes from recruitment through to retirement from sport and career post-graduation. Schlossberg’s transition theory served as the guiding theoretical framework, emphasizing identity transition, support systems, coping strategies, and preparedness. Semi-structured interviews were completed with eight collegiate student-athletes, selected using purposive and convenience sampling. Participants ranged from 18 to 22 years old and represented diverse sports, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The methodology involved analyzing their lived experiences to identify common themes and process components. Data was collected through face-to-face and Zoom interviews, transcribed, and subjected to thematic analysis. Findings revealed key themes, including the significance of identity transition support, robust support systems, effective coping mechanisms, clear academic and career goals, and access to essential resources such as career counseling, mentorship programs, mental health services, and leadership development. The results suggest that structured transition programs tailored to the unique needs of student-athletes are necessary. Conclusions highlight the importance of holistic, individualized support systems that consider diverse student-athlete experiences and recommend the enhancement of career readiness programs, financial planning services, and mentorship initiatives. Future research should evaluate the long-term effectiveness of such programs and explore transition experiences across different competitive divisions. Keywords: Student-athlete transition, sport retirement, support systems, career counseling, mentorship, qualitative phenomenology, higher education, educational leadership, collegiate athletics, academic support for student-athletes.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Weatherford, Lindsey, "Transition Process Considerations for Collegiate Student-Athlete Sport Retirement" (2025). Student Theses and Dissertations. 675.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/675
