The Role Exit of Professional Athletes

Abstract

Previous research on the role transition of ex-athletes to a new career is somewhat limited because the studies have applied theories that do not fit the unique characteristics of athletes. This research uses another approach, Ebaugh’s role exit theory to understand the role exit process of professional athletes. Ebaugh claims that her theory, is applicable to all role exits. We found that Ebaugh’s theory applies to athletes, but with modification. Data were collected from interviews with 27 former professional athletes. The experiences of these athletes generally fit within Ebaugh’s 4 stages. However, the athletes paths are not entirely accounted for by the model. Thus, the model is modified to include: (a) a new stage of “original doubts” that precedes becoming a professional athlete; (b) the difference by the era in which the athlete played; (c) the significance of the type of involuntary exit; and (d) the “withdrawal” behaviors associated with leaving sport.

Female and male student athletes' perceptions of career transition in sport and higher education: a visual elicitation and qualitative assessment

“…This is a significant finding due to the urgency and necessity of developing a career-minded focus in student athletes. Drahota & Eitzen (1998) found that for those athletes who had not planned for their futures, exiting involuntarily heightened the difficulty of their transition into a new role. Student athletes that have a career minded focus will have better chances to succeed in their transitions and future non-athletic careers.…”

“…The scarcity of qualitative studies (Parker, 1994;Drahota & Eitzen, 1998), and less attention to research designs that utilise both quantitative and qualitative methods motivated this investigation. This approach, which utilises an open-ended narrative response, is unique to the career transition literature of sport and non-sport participants.…”

“…Many student athletes who must terminate their participation experience adverse affects simply because making the transition from an athletic career to a new one can be extremely difficult (Lapchick, 2002). Within the career transition and retirement literature, some researchers have focused on the elite and/or professional athlete (Gorbett, 1985;Crook & Robertson, 1991;Baillie & Danish, 1992;Drahota & Eitzen, 1998). Most of the research that has been conducted in this area has borrowed from the fields of thanatology and gerontology (Taylor & Ogilvie, 2001).…”

Exploring experiences and emotions sport event volunteers associate with ‘role exit’

“…Blau's (1973) research emphasised the process of (re)socialization between roles. The alteration of role expectations and associated gains and losses of status (role identity) as the result of role exit (see also Drahota and Eitzen, 1998). Bringing these points together, an accepted definition of role exit is defined as the "departure from any role that is central to one's self-identity" (Ebaugh, 1988: 149).…”

“…Hochschild, 1975;Carter and Cook, 1995;Achenbaum and Bengtson, 1994;Curtis and Ennis, 1998). Inherent to the concept of role exit and related theories such as the theory is the process of transition (Drahota and Eitzen, 1998;Guillemard and Rein, 1993) or the passing from adulthood to pensioner. In the case of the World Firefighters Games 2008 (WFG'08), transition occurred in the form of the individual moving from WFG'08 volunteer to ex-WFG'08 volunteer.…”