Athletics Communities: Leaders Beyond the Game

Sports has been and will probably always be at the core of our culture at UCI. Although they are a smaller community on campus, our Athletic Department holds great responsibility for upholding State and National titles, bringing home new ones, and shaping the leaders of our campus.

A lot of pressure can be put on athletes as they train to maintain their own as well as the University’s reputation. To most outsiders, student-athletes are perceived as strong-willed and physically fit, and abled bodies — seemingly invincible.

Contrary to popular belief, athletes are just as vulnerable to interpersonal violence, and in some ways have heightened vulnerabilities given their reputation as perpetrators.

There is a history of athletes, both on the collegiate and professional level, for being notorious perpetrators of violence. Therefore, much focus is put towards holding athletes accountable (which is just as important!) rather than supporting athletes who are survivors of violence.

According to the National College Health Assessment, student-athletes reported a significantly higher rate of sexual assault compared to non-athletes, especially men. This suggests student-athletes may be particularly vulnerable to interpersonal violence. Unfortunately with misconceptions about violence and a culture of unhealthy masculinity and other gender-role expectations, it can be easier for athletes to avoid their experiences or seek support.

So, what can athletics communities do? Normalize students seeking support for their experiences, listening to and believing survivors that come forward with their experiences, and engaging in relevant conversations. These can include topics ranging from interpersonal violence and ways to prevent it or healthy masculinity to bystander intervention.

Additionally, there are a variety of resources available to the community at UCI. The UCI CARE Office provides advocacy services, a Holistic Healing program, and other campus education and programs. Other resources like the UCI Counseling Center offer counseling sessions for folks looking for “individual, relationship, group counseling, and psychotherapy.”

There are also ways to implement trauma-informed practices in athletic training as an effort towards inclusivity and support for student-athletes. This can include mindful recovery or breathing exercises, intentional teamwork and communication, individual or team-based check-ins, as well as incorporating words of affirmation from both players and coaches.

Athletics is recognized for its power in creating team environments and building a community. Being an athlete is an identity that represents more than just being a leader in the game. It also means being a leader in supporting members of the community while challenging and preventing instances of violence and injustice.