Graduate Student-Athletes: An Examination of Identity Roles and Transition

Abstract

Graduate student-athletes are increasing in numbers on college and university campuses, though much of the research on student-athletes focuses on undergraduate student populations. This study examines how graduate student-athletes balance their identities as both a student-athlete and as a graduate student. Analysis of the data revealed three major themes: (a) life revolves around sport, (b) graduate student-athlete role conflicts, and (c) preparation for life after sport. Findings suggest that the graduate student-athlete participants in this study used their status as graduate students as a part of a strategy for transition, whereby they began to adopt new roles and routines in preparation for their lives after sport. Implications for practice and policy to support graduate student-athletes are discussed.