| The debate of athletics versus academics has been at the forefront of intercollegiate athletics for many years (Sack, 2009). Many wonder if the two are innately mutually exclusive, or whether a balance can exist (Ridpath, 2008). Guided by resiliency theory, former baseball, men's basketball, and football student-athletes who graduated or left the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill between 2004 and 2012 were surveyed to gain insight into how athletics and academic interact in the education, personal growth, and professional futures of student-athletes. Overall, participants indicated having an overwhelmingly positive experience that enhanced their quality of life. The results of this study add valuable research that is needed to gain a greater understanding of how participation in intercollegiate athletics affects the overall well-being of former student-athletes. |
