Comparing the Motives of High School vs. College Athletes in Track and Field

The transition from high school to college, for any student, offers a number of challenges, rewards, and unexpected surprises. As one might expect, the same rule applies to track and field athletes moving from high school to collegiate competition. Athletes training and competing in college live different lifestyles and face different demands than those of high school students. This fact raises a unique and intriguing question: What are the factors motivating high school and college track and field athletes to participate in their sport? Are they similar or different? The answer to these questions may provide valuable insight for both high school and college athletes looking for ways to better understand each other and their teammates. It may also help the parents of high school athletes to prepare themselves and their children for a future collegiate career. In seeking the answer to these questions, male and female athletes on both levels were asked a list of questions during informal interviews. Their answers were then examined in order to draw any similarities or differences between the training, competition, coaching, and priorities of high school and college track and field athletes. The results of these interviews demonstrated some similarities, such as a true "love" of the sport, between members of the two groups. However, college and high school athletes differed in their strongest reasons for participating in track and field. In high school, athletes showed a strong preference for the social and team aspect of track and field, while college athletes focused on personal achievement and performance. These findings suggest that collegiate athletics may require a different approach or attitude in order to succeed on a more competitive level than high school sports.




Top Left Picture:HHS Cross Country. Bjork, Patricia J. 2007. Photograph. Mequon, WI. Facebook. Brinya Bjork., 25 Apr.
         2009. Web. 23 Mar. 2009. <http://www.facebook.com/album.php>id>.

Top Right Picture: Sara Gorton Podium. 2002. Photograph. CU Sports Information Reports, Columbia, MO. CU
          Buffs.com. Grace Brown. University of Colorado, 20 May 2002. Web. 23 Mar. 2010.   
         <http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/classic/content/events/tr_2002Big12.html>.