Just as important, they should also have an extensive conversation with counselors and advisers about life after sports, including whether to apply for graduate school. Many athletes will still have a preference for staying within their prospective sport to pursue careers in coaching, training, semi-professional sports and refereeing. They should use their relationships with athletic departments to learn more about these opportunities.
Discipline, a good work ethic and accountability are positive traits that are usually acquired by playing a sport, and they are also the same competencies and characteristics that employers desire. The challenge is to redirect that competitive drive and passion once displayed on the field into a new career after collegiate sports. All student-athletes should take the opportunity to excel off the field when they’re still in school, because when the eligibility is over, it’s over!
— Forrest Foster is the head of access services in the C.G. O’Kelly Library at Winston-Salem State University and a former Division-I coach.
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
