ABSTRACT
Student athletes have a number of issues to consider when they transition from high school to college and to career. Sports have become big business with talented athletes highly sought after and, in many instances, highly rewarded. Student athletes in college face greater demands on their time than their peers because of their involvement in sport. Counselors working with student athletes need to be attentive to the many issues facing this special population. In addition to academic eligibility counselors need to focus on enhancing the academic, personal, and athletic development of the student athlete. Student athletes must satisfy demanding coaches whose livelihood depends upon their athletic performance and maintain self-esteem by performing up to their own, coaches, and family and friends expectations. A less recognized burden faced by student athletes is the negative perceptions and expectations by faculty and other students about their academic capacity and motivation.
