Voluntary Early Retirement from Sport: The Lived Experiences of Former NCAA Division III Student-Athletes.

Darvin, Lindsey; Konotopskyj, Ryan; Ryder, Ashley

Intercollegiate athletics offer amateur athletes an approximately four-year window to pursue their athletic careers (Hodges & Darvin, 2022). While many athletes complete their full eligibility, some choose to retire early (Zvosec & Bass, 2022). At the NCAA Division III level, motivations for early retirement remain unclear, and the experiences of former student-athletes often are overlooked (Hodges & Darvin, 2022; Zvosec & Bass, 2022). Despite Division III's large athlete population, research seldom delves into their experiences. This study aims to explore why former Division III athletes voluntarily leave their sport. Transitioning out of collegiate sports poses significant challenges, affecting athletes' identities, career goals, and well-being. The Theory of Work Adjustment (TWA) offers a framework for understanding this transition (Hesketh & Griffin, 2005). TWA emphasizes aligning individual skills, values, and environmental requirements, providing insights into how athletes experience this phenomenon (Camire et al., 2012). Semistructured interviews with 15 early retirees revealed factors influencing their decision, including controlling coaching behavior, a win-at-all-costs culture, lack of support, and burnout. This study sheds light on the Division III student-athlete experience, informing coaches, administrators, and institutions.

EARLY retirement; COLLEGE athletes; COLLEGE sports; MENTAL health; PSYCHOLOGICAL burnout; WELL-being; CAREER development; NATIONAL Collegiate Athletic Association

Journal of Athlete Development & Experience (JADE), 2024, Vol 6, Issue 3, p194

2642-9276

Academic Journal

10.25035/jade.06.03.04