Commitment to Athletic Identity and Retirement from Sport Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Mackenzie Jo Wojciechowski Graduate Program in Kinesiology The Ohio State University 2018 Dissertation Committee: Dr. Brian A. Turner, Advisor Dr. Donna L. Pastore Dr. Susan L. Sutherland Copyrighted by Mackenzie Jo Wojciechowski 2018 Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine athletic identity and retirement from NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore former student-athletes intercollegiate experience and their transition out of sport. The findings revealed that retirement from intercollegiate athletics requires an individual to create new social networks, learn how to train without the structure and support of a team, and develop a new identity. Additionally, the study found that a strong support system and replacing the sport focus early in the process of retirement assisted with the transition from sport. Implications of the findings of the study are discussed and recommendations for future research are made. ii Dedication To my family – Mom and Dad, thank you for making so very much possible. To my sisters, Whitney and Bailey, for setting the example that anything is possible and for challenging me to be excellent in all things. To my husband, Jonathan, for walking through this degree with me and for being my continual ray of sunshine. iii Vita 2012................................................................B.S. Science, Wilmington College 2014................................................................M.A. Education, University of West Florida 2012–2014......................................................Development Graduate Assistant, University of West Florida 2014–2015......................................................Development Coordinator, The Ohio State University Department of Athletics 2015-2017 ......................................................Assistant Director Development, The Ohio State University Department of Athletics 2017 to present ...............................................Assistant Director Development & Stewardship, The Ohio State University Department of Athletics iv Fields of Study Major Field: Kinesiology Specialization: Sport Management v Table of Contents Commitment to Athletic Identity and Retirement from Sport ............................................ 1 Dissertation ......................................................................................................................... 1 Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Dedication .......................................................................................................................... iii Vita ..................................................................................................................................... iv Fields of Study .................................................................................................................... v Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1: Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................ 2 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................... 4 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................... 4 Athletic Identity ........................................................................................................... 5 Commitment ................................................................................................................ 6 Intercollegiate Athletic Experience ............................................................................. 7 Retirement ................................................................................................................... 9 Research Questions ....................................................................................................... 14 Definition of Terms ....................................................................................................... 15 vi Overview of Remaining Chapters ................................................................................. 16 Chapter 2: Review of Literature ....................................................................................... 17 Identity .......................................................................................................................... 18 Identity Development ................................................................................................ 18 Identity Statuses ......................................................................................................... 23 Identity Theory .......................................................................................................... 24 Commitment .............................................................................................................. 28 Athletic Identity ......................................................................................................... 29 Identity Development in College ............................................................................... 32 Retirement Difficulties .................................................................................................. 34 Retirement Models .................................................................................................... 38 Resources available to Division I Student-Athletes .................................................. 40 NCAA Division I Overview .......................................................................................... 48 Chapter 3: Methodology .................................................................................................. 54 Positionality ................................................................................................................... 55 Research Design ............................................................................................................ 58 Case Study Approach ................................................................................................ 58 Participants ................................................................................................................ 59 Setting ........................................................................................................................ 60 vii Sampling .................................................................................................................... 61 Participant descriptions.............................................................................................. 62 Table 1 ....................................................................................................................... 62 Data Collection .............................................................................................................. 65 Interviews .................................................................................................................. 65 Participant Journal ..................................................................................................... 67 Researcher Journal ..................................................................................................... 69 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................ 70 Trustworthiness ......................................................................................................... 74 Ethical Considerations ............................................................................................... 78 Chapter 4: Findings ........................................................................................................... 79 Participant Overview ..................................................................................................... 79 Participant Breakdown .............................................................................................. 79 Pathways to Collegiate Athletics ............................................................................... 80 Table 2 ....................................................................................................................... 81 Findings ......................................................................................................................... 81 Retirement as a Transformation of Social Relationships .......................................... 82 Independent Training ................................................................................................. 90 Developing New Identities ........................................................................................ 96 viii Support Systems ...................................................................................................... 104 Replacing the Sport Focus ....................................................................................... 107 Summary of Findings .............................................................................................