The Student-Athlete Leadership Academy Experience: A Case Study

This study sought to advance the understanding of how leadership education affects student-athletes interpersonally, as athletes, and as students while providing insight into the importance of leadership development for institutions and athletic departments for student-athletes who participate in a yearlong leadership program. The purpose of this study is to explore how a yearlong leadership development program influenced the personal and leadership growth and development of student-athletes during the 2020-2021 academic year. Two research questions guided the present study: How does the Student-Athlete Leadership Academy curriculum and experience contribute to student-athletes’ progress through the theory on leadership identity development and understanding of the social change model? How do student-athletes perceive that their experiences in the Student-Athlete Leadership Academy influence and shape their development as a person, leader, and athlete?

These questions were explored through the Leadership Identity Development (LID) model and the social change model. I observed all 20 student-athletes during their courses and on their international immersion trip. I also utilized class readings, syllabi, and news articles as written documents in the data collection process. In addition to the observations and document analysis, I conducted semi-structured interviews with five students to gain a deeper understanding of participants’ experiences in the SALA. I also administered and analyzed weekly journal prompts from these five students. The findings of this study illuminate the importance of leadership development programs for collegiate student-athletes. The study found that through their experience in the SALA, student-athletes moved through the LID model and gained an understanding of the social change model.