Student-Athlete Burnout: A Division I Women’s Soccer Coach’s Perspective

Abstract

With numerous unique physical, mental, psychological, and emotional challenges associated with being a university-level student-athlete, it can be assumed that student-athletes may be at great risk of mental health conditions such as burnout. Burnout results from the interaction of three different elements: physical or emotional exhaustion, sport devaluation, and reduced athletic accomplishment. This study sought to answer the following research questions: (1) Why do student-athletes experience burnout in their sport?, and (2) What can be done to avoid burnout? using standard qualitative interviewing techniques of a Division I Women’s Soccer coach. There were two prominent themes answering research question 1: Perfection and Performative Social Media and It’s a Job and Coach is the Boss. There were three prominent themes identified answering research question 2: Parental Influence, De-Professionalize Amateur Sport, and Value Athletes’ Time. Where this work differs from other qualitative studies regarding athlete burnout, is that it explores the perceptions and opinions of a coach. The coach interviewed for this study clearly expressed concerns for his student-athletes and their holistic well-being. In addition to a continuation of scholarship through the student-athletes lens, more research conducted exploring the perspectives of coaches, parents, and institutional administrators in pursuit of solutions to mitigating the effect of burnout on student-athletes is of value.