The journey of transitioning: Being a trans male athlete in college sport

Highlights

•	This case study presents one transgender athlete’s journey during his social, hormonal, and athletic transition.
•	Social support and financial resources can impact an athlete as he or she transitions and these are areas that athletic departments can influence.
•	We recommend strategies to support transgender inclusion in athletics programs, including creating a culture of inclusion and respect for all.

Abstract

While research is emerging about transgender athletes, little is known about their experiences during their transition. Through the lens of transfeminism, this case study followed one U.S. transgender male college athlete as he transitioned from a women’s to a men’s team. The research questions were: (a) what are the experiences of this athlete as he comes out about his trans identity, (b) how is he received by teammates and coaches, and (c) what are his emotional, social, psychological, and athletic experiences during his transition. The athlete participated in a series of interviews across nine months during his transition. Narrative analysis (Smith & Sparkes, 2009) of the data resulted in five themes presented in a series of vignettes: setting the scene: early memories and identity, coming out, being a competitive college athlete, an emotional roller coaster, and contemplating the future. This case offers insights conceptually as well as practically.

Keywords:

• Collegiate sport
• NCAA
• Transgender
• Transitioning

Notes

1 We use “them” and “their” as a singular non-gendered pronoun to disrupt the sex/gender binaries as well as respect the varied ways trans individuals may identify.