From Mission to Competition: The Experiences of 10 LDS Missionary Student-Athletes Returning to Competition in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I

Authors

Matthew J. Moore, Miami University - OxfordFollow
Leslee A. Fisher, University of TennesseeFollow
Lindsey A. Miossi, University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleFollow
Zach T. Smith, Penn State HarrisburgFollow
Jacob C. Jensen,, California State University, NorthridgeFollow

Publication Date

May 2022

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to explore the experiences of LDS missionary student-athletes returning to competition in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (DI). Using Consensual Qualitative Research methods (CQR; Hill, 2012) including a semi-structured interview guide, 10 DI student-athletes/returned LDS missionaries were interviewed regarding their experience (i.e., mean age of 25 years; baseball, cross-country/track and field, football, and swimming). A research team with five members constructed four domains and 16 categories representing DI student-athlete/returned LDS missionary chronological identity changes during this experience: (a) the development of an LDS missionary identity; (b) challenges associated with returning to DI student-athlete identity; (c) benefits of mission identity on DI student-athlete identity; and (d) practical implications for sport psychology professionals and other support staff. Suggestions for future research are also given.

Recommended Citation

Moore, Matthew J.; Fisher, Leslee A.; Miossi, Lindsey A.; Smith, Zach T.; and Jensen,, Jacob C. (2022) "From Mission to Competition: The Experiences of 10 LDS Missionary Student-Athletes Returning to Competition in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I," Movement and Being: The Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sports Studies: Vol. 7 : Iss. 1 , Article 2.
https://doi.org/10.7290/jcskls07rzpe
Available at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/jcskls/vol7/iss1/2