Date Approved

8-3-2026

Graduate Degree Type

Project

Degree Name

Education-Higher Education (M.Ed.)

Degree Program

College of Education

First Advisor

Dr. Paul E Bylsma

Second Advisor

Dr. Laila McCloud

Academic Year

2025/2026

Abstract

Division II football student-athletes often experience academic, social, and athletic challenges in the midst of their transition to college, particularly due to their college journey beginning without well-established academic habits, intentional learning behaviors and strategies, and awareness of campus support services and resources. This project examines the array of transitional experiences of incoming Division II football student-athletes and the imperativeness of intentional, proactive intervention prior to their college journey beginning. The project is rooted in research related to student-athlete transition, academic preparedness, resource utilization, help-seeking behavior, and first-year transition programming and intervention. Schlossberg’s (1984) Transition Theory serves as the primary framework for this project given its emphasis of situation, self, supports, and strategies as one navigates significant life changes. The intervention proposed, FAST (“Freshman Athlete Success and Transition”) Class, is a mandatory four-day pre-semester transition program intended for 40-45 incoming freshman football student-athletes at Grand Valley State University. FAST Class is structured to introduce and develop participants to college academic expectations, strong academic habits, skills, and behaviors, goal-setting activities, and campus resources and support services. The program consists of instruction, interactive activities, large group and small group discussion, presentations, and a campus-resource scavenger hunt. Attendance, objective-based assessment, and participant feedback will be used to evaluate the implementation of FAST Class and the revisions needed for future iterations. FAST Class is intended to aid and increase incoming freshman football student-athletes’ academic readiness by promoting, encouraging, and teaching help-seeking behavior, access to support systems, and access to campus resources as they transition to college.

Comments

FAST Class is a four-day programmed designed for incoming football student-athletes at GVSU to aid their transition to college as they adapt and adjust to academic expectations of college. The program involves campus collaboration between GVSU faculty, staff, student-athletes, GVSU football alumni, and various campus support services.

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