The Role That Academic, Athletic, and Social Integration Plays in the Freshman Student Athlete Experience

• In Event: Understanding Student-Athlete Identities and Experiences

Abstract

There is an increasing need to understand the experiences of student athletes in higher education. The researchers asked: How do academic, athletic, and social experiences integrate to affect the freshman student athlete transition to college and impact their overall college experience? The results indicated that certain pre-college goals and expectations of student athletes influenced their experience as they transitioned into the college environment. From the thematic development of this study, three main themes emerged: (a) Pre-College Goals and Expectations; (b) Transition into the Institution; and (c) the Environment.

Authors

• Adam McFarlane, Winthrop University

• James W. Satterfield, Clemson University

• Michael Gary Godfrey, Clemson University