Date Awarded

2012

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Department

Education

Advisor

Pamela Eddy

Abstract

A majority of the research on student-athletes occurs at the Division I level, acid less is known about Division III student-athletes. The scant research addressing the experiences of Division III students-athletes focused on academics, campus involvement, development, and athletic identity (Griffith & Johnson, 2002; Heuser & Gray, 2009; Richards & Aries, 1993; Schroeder, 2000; Umbach, Palmer, Kuh, & Hannah, 2006). What remains unknown is how they manage life roles as Division III student-athletes.;This case study sought to address the time demands and life roles (e.g. athletics, family, friendship, religion, academic, and romantic interests) of student-athletes. Two private, Division Ill institutions in the Midwest were selected. A total of 21 student-athletes from both men and women's basketball teams were interviewed. The findings suggest student-athletes are strained by time demands, yet have developed strategies to better manage their time. Family serves as a foundation and the most important life role for a majority of student-athletes. Teammates, coaches, and athletic involvement offer additional support as student-athletes transition through college. The life roles of religion and romantic relationships, however, were not seen as important for student-athletes. This research concluded that Division III student-athletes juggle multiple roles but their priorities change over time. of note, participant's integrated roles over time and particular transition phases existed for students. Moreover, instead of border keepers vying to reinforce borders between roles, this study concluded that border bridgers existed instead that sought to aid students in blurring boundaries between their various roles. Male athletes were less able to describe how they managed time, whereas female athletes readily identified organizational strategies and stronger team bonds.

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/doi:10.25774/w4-p6nc-pa80

Rights

© The Author

Download

Share Feedback

Share

COinS