Dreams on the Field: Exploring the Aspirations and Challenges of Male College Student-Athletes

During undergraduate years, student-athletes experience a great deal of change and encounter numerous new obstacles. This study aimed to explore the experiences, motivations, and challenges faced by male college student-athletes and gain insights being a student and athlete. This study utilized narrative design to explore the experiences of the participants regarding the respondent’s life as student-athletes and used purposive sampling in choosing participants at Jose Rizal University. Interview questionnaire was used in gathering the data and ensured the confidentiality of the participants throughout the study. The researchers identified the following superordinate themes with their corresponding subordinate themes; the decision of becoming a student-athlete with the subordinate themes of benefits, other people’s perspective towards to student-athletes, and essential events. Career-related reasons with its themes; motivation, having a role model in life, university’s stakeholders. It’s concluded that being a student-athlete in undoubtedly one of the most difficult paths one can choose; in addition to academic commitments, there are social responsibilities, as well as sports training. It’s recommended to properly balance the time.