Student Athlete Identity: How Division III Student-Athletes View the Duality of Their Identities

Collegiate athletics are vital to higher education. However, student-athletes face the challenge of balancing their dual roles, with their academic identities becoming less salient over time. Despite this, research indicates the benefits of participation in sport, including physiological, psychological, and educational. Additionally, the skills gained from sport are highly valued by employers. Identity foreclosure, a premature commitment to an identity, is common among student-athletes, which often results in lower academic achievement and career maturity. This study investigated the levels of athletic identity and identity foreclosure exhibited by student athletes at a Division III Institution in the Northeast, as well as how those levels vary based on gender, race/ethnicity, class status, and sport. Erik Erickson’s (1956) psychosocial theory of identity provides the theoretical underpinnings of the study. Using a quantitative cross-sectional correlational design, data were collected from 175 student-athletes through an online survey that included demographic questions and standardized measures of athletic identity and identity foreclosure, the AIMS and the EOM-EIS, respectively. The findings reveal varying levels of athletic identity among student-athletes, with many strongly identifying with their athletic role. As athletic identity strengthens, academic identity wanes. Demographic factors including gender, race/ethnicity, class status, and sport also moderate this relationship. Recommendations include tailored services to holistically support student-athletes, particularly in Division III, where the recruitment and retention of this population is critical. The recommendations aim to better align resources to address the evolving needs of student-athletes, in addition to guiding career services and academic advising. Findings of the study also provide insight into the complex dynamics of athletic and academic identity among student-athletes, offering valuable strategies for institutions seeking to enhance the student-athlete experience.