Responding to the Developmental Needs of Student Athletes

The challenges facing student athletes are substantial. The student athlete population faces developmental tasks similar to their nonathlete peers, as well as confronting unique issues. Student athletes' developmental needs are considered within the framework of the psychosocial developmental model proposed by Chickering (1969; Chickering & Reisser, 1993) with special attention to the additional challenges that may make the struggle to resolve the “normal” developmental tasks more difficult. Suggestions for counseling interventions guided by the framework are provided.