Male Transfer Student Athletes and Schlossberg’s Transition Theory

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine transfer student athletes’ perceptions of their transition experience. Studies of student athletes typically focus on “traditional” student athletes who matriculate to college directly from high school. This study sought to fill the void in the research literature. Schlossberg’s Transition Theory was used as the conceptual framework for this study. Twelve male transfer student athletes from a Midwestern Division I university were interviewed regarding their transition experience. The findings would suggest that Schlossberg’s Transition Theory provides a relevant framework within which to examine the transition experience of transfer student athletes. The findings indicate that transfer student athletes are relatively self-reliant relying on a narrow support network consisting of family and members of the athletic department including teammates. These athletes reported that they had a limited amount of engagement with the broader university community. All of the athletes in the study reported that they were motivated to transfer by athletic rather than academic reasons, which may account for their reliance on a rather limited support network focused on the athletic department. A surprising finding was that a number of participants indicated that due to NCAA rules they were forced to become “swirlers” (4-2-4 transfers) in order to make degree progress and remain athletically eligible.