M.Phil. (Sport Management) / This study is strengthened by several studies that have indicated that the dualist nature of student-athletes is problematic, as well as the management thereof. The study aimed to identify the sociological implications of the main aspects affecting the optimal sporting career development in athletics (throwers) at University of Johannesburg Sport, and offers recommendations for managing student-athletes. The methods utilized for this study included: i) self-designed questionnaires which incorporated information such as biographical data, performance level, satisfaction levels of support services and, ii) a qualitative case-study on the University of Johannesburg athletics club, where interviews were held with representatives selected as part of a purposive sample. Data was collected over a period of one year, with 15 current athletes, 5 retired athletes, and service providers within the University of Johannesburg. The research design allowed for input, throughput and output analyses. To determine the rationale of the input and throughput phases, qualitative and quantitative data were integrated for the identification of trends and major themes. Twelve of the 20 student-athletes participated internationally during their tertiary student-athlete years, whereas 14 out of the 20 student-athletes participated at regional level during their in primary school years, demonstrating a relatively lengthy and intense socialisation process. The qualitative research revealed that the main social agents during the primary and secondary school years are the parents, teacher-coach and peers, where the attention swifts to professional agents (including the coach) and fellow athletes during the tertiary phase. There is an increasing need for scientific and academic support at tertiary level with major issues around time, career and life style management. During the (often) final socialisation or specialization phase, most student-athletes face multiple career challenges without receiving adequate guidance or scientific support towards desocialisation.

The present study investigated the career maturity levels of student-athletes as compared to non-athletes with a special professional athletic aspirations of male athletes as well as consistency of match between their career expectations and choice of college majors. The sample included 101 male college football and basketball players and 76 male non-athletes from a Division IA university in the Midwest. The participants were given the Career Maturity Inventory (Crites, 1995) and an author-generated demographic questionnaire which covered topics such as age, race, year in school, and career plans.Five research hypotheses were examined: (1) More athletes would choose majors inconsistent with their career expectations than would choose consistent majors. The results did not support this hypothesis, x2 (2, N = 101) = 3.347, p = .188. (2) Athletes who reported a consistent match between their college major and career choice would have higher levels of career maturity than their less consistent counterparts. No significant differences were found when comparing consistency and career maturity levels (F = .144, p = .866). (3) White athletes would choose majors which were more consistent with their interests and values than would their Black counterparts. The results did not support this hypothesis (F = .381, p = .539). (4) As a group, male athletes emphasis on racial differences. The study also investigated the would display lower levels of career maturity when compared to their non-athletic counterparts. The results did indicate that the career maturity levels of athletes were not as developed as those of non-athletes in relation to the planning skills needed for effective career decision-making (F = 11.03, p < .001). However, both sets of scores were above the possible mean scores of the instrument, indicating that the athletes in this sample were less mature than the comparison group of non-athletes but not immature in terms of the overall possible mean scores. (5) A significant percentage of male student-athletes would report expectations for entering the professional sports arena. Athletes were found to have high expectations for obtaining a professional sports career (i.e., National Football League or National Basketball Association), with higher percentages of Black athletes (77.3%) than White athletes (22.7%) endorsing such expectations.The conclusions drawn from the research demonstrated that athletes may be at a slight disadvantage in an area critical to the education process. This disadvantage may prevent them from developing alternative career options should a professional sports career not come to fruition. Placing the athletes in some type of comprehensive career intervention program upon entering college may be helpful in raising the athletes' career planning skills to that of their non-athlete counterparts, giving them a wider range of options upon graduation. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services