Student-Athlete Burnout: Data to Help Focus on What’s Fixable
Over 4 million Americans quit their jobs in August alone (the most ever reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), leaving for higher pay, daycare, paid sick leave, and better healthcare. The workforce is prioritizing things that many organizations failed to provide, despite a decade of evidence that this day was coming.
While a similar mass exodus of student-athletes is unlikely, these events are a reminder that student-athlete attrition - roughly 25-33% - is a challenge worth addressing. Instead of “exit interview” data that only occasionally leads to broader action by a program, I recommend learning more about the “burnout” that takes place prior to a student-athlete quitting.
Based on a survey of 1,400 student-athletes conducted in September 2021, below are 6 data points that indicate burnout is rarely simple or straightforward. Rather it’s a complicated combination of factors. If coaches and administrators want better retention, these are a few good places to start.
43% of Student-Athletes Say Their Team Related Workload is Simply Too Much
Long practices, conditioning, training room time, and additional team related activities add up to what student-athletes feel are excessively long hours. That said, student-athletes have widely accepted this as the norm and understand that coaches are unlikely to reduce the number of hours they’re asked to commit.
39% of Student-Athletes Think They Are Micro-Managed
We know from decades of studying all kinds of organizations and workplaces, that being micromanaged is de-motivating. Yet coaches often control many aspects of a student-athlete’s schedule. It can be difficult, but allowing student-athletes more choice over various aspects of their team-related activities is an anecdote to burnout.
31% of Student-Athletes Feel a Lack of Recognition
This isn't just about playing time. Student-Athletes in this survey cite their need to know that they - as people and student-athletes - are appreciated. Now that we have entered the NIL era, some student-athletes (but not all) will receive a new kind of visibility and validation from outside the locker room. So, it’s even more critical that all student-athletes are recognized for their contributions by coaches and support staff.
22% of Student-Athletes Say They Have a Poor Relationship with a Coach or Teammates
Liking your teammates and having a solid relationship with the coaching staff is a strong predictor of student-athlete retention. A lack of connection with either of those groups forecasts burnout. Student-Athletes point to their coaches providing them the opportunity to connect with teammates outside of practice as key in improving their friendships with teammates.
36% of Student-Athletes Feel that They Have Experienced a Lack of Fairness
It goes without saying that coaches and players don’t always see eye to eye and that SA’s are not the best judge of their own abilities. But before we dismiss the notion entirely, let’s acknowledge their belief. Valid or not, feeling unfairly treated is a de-motivator. Coaches will never be able to eliminate every perceived injustice, but they can provide the opportunity for student-athletes to communicate their issues.
19% of Student-Athletes Don’t Think the Values of the Program Match Their Personal Values
Let’s face it, sometimes it’s just not a good fit. The best program for a student-athlete is one that matches their values and sometimes honest mistakes (in choosing a school/recruit) are made. Student-Athletes that experience burnout are likely to feel in conflict with where the coach and the program are headed. Of all the factors that contribute to burnout, this is the least “fixable” and often the best result is the student-athlete and program going their separate ways.