Abstract
This study quantitatively and qualitatively examines the competencies of coaches supporting dual career (DC) programs for student-athletes, which refers to promoting a balance between academic/career development and athletic performance for student-athletes. The participants were 14 current collegiate athletic coaches (3 female, 11 male), including one who had experience as a national Olympic team head coach. The results indicated that the participants recognized the importance of all the competencies for DC support of student-athletes. In particular, the competencies of relationship with student-athletes were the most important indicated by the coaches in their support of DC. In addition, interviews were used to extract the narratives of sports coaches regarding DC support competencies that were not demonstrated in previous studies in the U.S. and Europe. The participants indicated that “understanding the importance of developing interpersonal and personal growth through collegiate athletics” and “recognizing the position and role of collegiate athletics as an extra-curricular education” were also important competencies. Further evaluation of the competencies related to the DC supports for Japanese sports coaches would also be necessary. In conclusion, this study revealed some specific DC supporting practices and problems with DC supports in Japan, which could not have been extracted from the questionnaire surveys only.
