Reliving the past or nurturing the future? A heuristic narrative study on the experiences of former division I student-athletes now athletic advisors at NCAA DI U.S. institutions

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the experiences of former NCAA student-athletes now serving as athletic advisors at Division I institutions across the United States, aiming to understand how their athletic past influences their advisory practices, with a focus on identity development and mentorship. The following research question and sub-questions guided the study: How does the personal experience of being a former student-athlete influence current athletic advisors’ advisory and mentoring practices? 1) How do athletic advisors describe their lived experience as former student-athletes? 2) How, if at all, do athletic advisors perceive that their experiences as student-athletes have prepared them for their work as athletic advisors? 3) In what ways, if any, does the mentoring role show up in the stories athletic advisors tell about their lived experience as athletic advisors? Through interviews with nine advisors from public NCAA Football Bowl Subdivisions (FBS) institutions, findings were analyzed using Moustakas’ heuristic process. Three themes emerged: 1) Influences on Student-Athlete Experiences, examining familial and internal factors shaping their collegiate journey, 2) Diversified Pathways to Athletic Advising, exploring varied routes to advisory roles and the significance of relationships formed, and 3) Supporting Student-Athletes through Mentorship Identity, revealing how advisors embody mentor roles beyond their advisory duties. The study highlights several implications with suggested recommendations: • The unique skill set of former student-athletes now academic advisors. • The impact of athletic advisors on high-achieving student-athletes. • The commercialization of the academic side of athletics and social media influence. • The importance of creating environments of belonging for student-athletes. • In loco parentis role: balancing indirect creation and added burden amidst shifting landscapes. Future research avenues include investigating experiences without contextual parameters, exploring decision-making among student-athletes from different governing bodies, examining underrepresented backgrounds, and including perspectives of advisors who were not student-athletes. These findings address the research question: How does the personal experience of being a former student-athlete influence current athletic advisors’ advisory and mentoring practices?