Student-athletes are held to higher standards than the typical student. NCAA or other regulatory bodies have rules that determine eligibility in ways that theatre and music, for example, do not. Also unlike theater and music, student-athletes’ time commitments to their chosen co-curricular activity often comes into question. Is it fair?
In our work and research, we’ve listened to hundreds of student-athletes speak to their experiences. Based on this work, here are three insights into the student-athlete experience every campus administrator should understand:
Time is precious
Between academic and athletic commitments, student-athletes have little time for anything else. Interestingly, most student-athletes wouldn’t have it any other way. Their lives are busy, but if they had more hours in a day, student-athletes wouldn’t join the debate team, play in the orchestra, run for student government or start a new club. Most would sleep, socialize or spend more time on physical conditioning for their sport. However, few student-athletes report any negative impact on their academic or overall educational experiences.
Student-Athletes want to be viewed as students, too
Many student-athletes encounter academic bias or even prejudice from other students and some faculty. The assumption people make is that student-athletes cannot be good students. This attitude irritates student-athletes and impacts their educational experience. Some student-athletes view this as an unnecessary and unfair obstacle.
Most coaches do not demand too much time
Student-athletes are driven competitors that want to excel. These qualities need to be nurtured, not discouraged. This innate desire to compete transfers into other aspects of their lives. Student-athletes succeed because of athletics, not in spite of it.
Concern for student-athlete welfare, particularly at small colleges, has created a need to more fully understand the student-athlete experience. It is now incumbent upon athletics administrators to engage their student-athletes. How?
- Engage your student-athletes and learn what their experiences mean to them and the impact they have on their educational experience
- Clarify your program values and commitment to student-athlete learning and development
- Regularly assess how your program is meeting your goals and objectives related to the student-athlete experience
Reaching out to student-athletes not only provides valuable data, it demonstrates that the department values student-athletes’ opinions. Establishing a regular, on-going approach to soliciting, collecting and analyzing student-athlete feedback will help you do a better job serving your student-athletes and promoting growth, development and success.
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