To Fall From

Athletics Gracefully

A Behavioral Approach In Dealing With The Realities of Becoming A Retired Athlete

Possible Causes of Disengagement From

AthleticsInjuryLoss of EligibilityInadequacy

Realities of Athletics As A Profession

1 out of every 235 male high school players will every “start” for a Division I college team.

1 out of every 5,635 high school football players will play for a professional team.

1 out of 46 high school basketball players make a college varsity team.

Out of 100 high school football teams in the U.S., only 1 senior will make it to the NFL

Each year in America, over a half of a million basketball and football athletes are retired from their sport.

1 out of every 2,300 high school basketball players get drafted by the NBA. (Note: On each NBA team, only 2 jobs are available for 30 people attending rookie camps.

Of those athletes that earn college scholarships, graduation rates for college males show:• 35% of the football players

graduate.• 27% of the basketball players

graduate.• 18% of the baseball players

graduate.

What Occurs In The Disengagement Process?

Only half of the males and females studied at the collegiate level claim to be satisfied and fulfilled with their retirement from sport. (Note: No statistics are available on those athletes at the High School level).

A host of psychological difficulties have been

reported. They include:

DepressionObsessive ThoughtsSelf Destructiveness

Periods of Adjustments In Retirement From Athletics

1. Helplessness and Disorientation Phase.• Lacks ability to deal with new

freedoms from structure.• Exhibits certain forms of denial.• Develops unrealistic expectations of

returning to athletics.

2. Reality Phase• Reality turns to anger against the

self.

3. Bargaining Phase• With Coach, God or Self

4. Self Development Phase• Depression subsides• Renewed energy emerges• Explores new alternatives

Note: The Self Development Phase may be accomplished on the surface.• Athletes must choose to examine

their frustrations• They must seek new ways of

modifying behaviors• Negative thoughts will continue to

be rehearsed or imprinted in the mind.

What Can Sports Administrators Do To Help Athletes Retire

Gracefully?

Early, honest, realistic education is needed to address the process of disengagement.

Teach skills to cope with disengagement both psychological

and physical.

Concepts of letting things go and looking forward toward the future.

Channeling of physical energies into some other forms of recreation

Career counseling centered around career orientation and employment

opportunities after athletics.