ABSTRACT
The approaches that institutions have employed to support student-athletes have evolved over time, from the first offerings in the 1970s and mandated programming in the early 1990s, to comprehensive support services. In athletic department leadership positions, more administrators rising through the ranks are coming from student-athlete services units than ever before, even in AD roles. Recognizing the need to standardize the profession, the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals developed a call to action to enhance the training and development of student-athlete development professionals. Examining and synthesizing empirical research studies focused on the student-athlete higher education experience is crucial for developing high-impact programs that best serve the unique population. Research supports a seeming programmatic dilemma for student affairs practitioners who work with student-athletes. Student-athlete development professionals can and should work as advocates to bring together the Student-Athlete Support Service units in athletics to enhance collaboration.
