The Game Plan for Life: A Student-Athlete’s Guide to Transitioning Beyond the Field
As a student-athlete, you’re used to having a clear game plan. But what happens when the final whistle blows on your college career? A new initiative at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota called “Game Plan for Life” is designed to help student-athletes navigate that very challenge.
The program, led by executive coaches, focuses on skills that go beyond athletics and academics, such as:
- Financial literacy
- Career readiness
- Personal growth and self-awareness
The goal is to help you transition from your identity as an athlete into a confident young professional. The program recognizes that your role as a student-athlete has already equipped you with many of the skills needed for a successful professional life. As one of the program’s coaches, Kylene Ruth, notes, “There are many lessons learned during an athletic journey that can be applied to a professional life post-college.” These lessons include leadership, discipline, teamwork, and resilience.
The program provides a community of like-minded individuals to assist in this transition. Participants will explore their personal strengths and learn methods to harness them to succeed in life. This initiative is an example of how universities are investing in the long-term success of their student-athletes, recognizing that the lessons learned on the field can be a powerful foundation for a successful life after college. The support of the program, made possible by a generous donation, ensures that graduates are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
The “Game Plan for Life” serves as a crucial bridge, helping you translate the skills you’ve honed in sports—from managing a rigorous schedule to performing under pressure—into a successful and fulfilling career. It ensures that your time as an athlete doesn’t just end with a final game, but serves as the starting point for a lifelong journey of service and leadership.