We often focus on the joy of graduation — the laughter and selfies posing in that cap and gown, the pride in accepting that diploma, or the celebrations with friends, families, coaches, and teammates. Unfortunately, we rarely talk about the grief and loss that graduation day brings as a student athlete closes a chapter on their athletic career. We rarely talk about the significant loss of an identity that has been so salient and primary and the unknown that comes with that loss. We also rarely talk about all of the ways that a student-athlete may experience that loss.
Let’s talk about the different ways a student-athlete may be grieving the loss of their sport to normalize this transition and be proactive in supporting student-athletes making this transition.
Loss of Routine
A student-athlete has developed a routine over many years of playing their sport. A routine in the sense of moving from pre-season to the regular season to post-season play and championship season to the off-season. They have a routine in their daily schedule and have developed skills and tools to manage their time effectively to perform in their sport, in the classroom, and in their relationships. The loss of their sport creates a significant loss in their routine. With newfound time and no longer being in a fast paced culture, they may experience increased anxiety or depressive symptoms.
Loss of a Sense of Purpose
Student-athletes may experience a loss of purpose if their sole identity and perceived worth and value is tied to their sport and athletic achievement. They may have felt a sense of pride in showing up for their teammates or showing their commitment in the gym or in training sessions. They may have thrived in a space that has cultivated and given space for their competitive drive. Without this space, they may question their purpose and their overall value.
Loss of Community and Sense of Belonging
Sport has a way of creating a sense of belonging and community that is unmatched. Sport also fosters building close relationships with teammates. For an emerging adult who has been playing sports since early childhood, their closest friends often have been teammates across their various experiences in sport. For a student-athlete transitioning out of sport, making and building a new network of friends outside of sport may seem daunting or be challenging. Additionally, the years following college is full of transitions which often comes with moves to new cities, new jobs, new relationships. This period of transition creates distance within these relationships which may feel isolating and increase feelings of loneliness.
Maintaining the Athlete Identity (and Body)
Many student-athletes have a strong athletic identity. They have been known or viewed as the athlete to those around them. When they have a limited view of who they are beyond their athletic identity, they may struggle to find their worth and value outside of their sport and sport performance.
In order to maintain this identity, they may try to convey that identity through maintaining their athletic body. This loss can create a sense of feeling out of control and a way of finding control can come in the form of food and exercise or training. This can lead to developing food rules, cutting out certain food groups, monitoring and restricting calories, increased body checking, and/or spending more time in the gym. These rules can create a sense of rigidity that can negatively impact their overall functioning.
You Don’t Have to Walk This Transition Out of Sport Alone
To all the student-athletes that recently celebrated this incredible accomplishment — Congratulations from The Bridge: Athlete Wellness and Performance. You may feel a full range of emotions in the months to come as you transition out of sport and out of collegiate athletics, and that is valid. But also know that you don’t have to walk that journey alone.
If you or someone you know has recently transitioned out of sport and is experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression following the loss of sport and difficulty adjusting to a new normal, you can refer them to The Bridge for a free 15-minute consultation.
www.thebridgesportpsych.com
Additional resources:
At Last: Life After Sport Workbook by Dr. Mel Streno and Rebecca McConville