The community college has become a popular way for student-athletes to attain Division I athletic eligibility; students both begin their postsecondary education at the community college or use the community college as an intermediary path of transfer. Community college transfer student-athletes are a unique subpopulation within collegiate athletics. Using the theoretical frameworks of Transfer Student Capital and Liminality Theory, this study used individual interviews to examine the lived experiences, challenges and perceptions of community college transfer student-athletes. Participants of this study provided information about the context of community college for student-athletes, the manner in which athletics influences their motivation, decision and ability to transfer to a Division I university, as well as the actual process of successful transfer. Implementing a grounded theory approach to analysis, the Community College Transfer Student-Athlete Model (CCTSAM) was created to depict the five major themes emergent from data; Community College Culture, The Role of Relationships, “Doing Whatever It Takes” to Persevere Through, Blind Spots: Navigating an Unclear Path, and Between Two Worlds: The Ambiguity of Transition. Research findings can be used to build better transfer support processes and procedures for community college and Division I institutions.
