Abstract
This mixed-methods study explored the impact of academic demands and athletic participation on academic performance, time management, study habits, burnout among NCAA Division II women’s softball athletes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conferences (NSIC). The study was guided by three questions: (1) how participation in collegiate softball influences academic performance as measured by GPA, (2) how student athletes manage time and study habits during the. Competitive season, and (3) what factors contribute to burnout and how burnout affects emotional well-being and academic engagement. Data were collected through an anonymous online survey distributed to NSIC softball coaches who then shared the survey with their athletes. The final sample consisted of 22 completed responses from athletes across five teams. Quantitative results showed that most athletes maintained high academic performance, with 90.9% reporting GPAs between 3.50 and 4.00, while also reporting strong time management and study strategies. However, a majority of 95% participants reported experiencing stress, 86.4% experienced exhaustion, and 62.8% difficulty maintaining consistent study schedules due to the demands of travel, practices, and coursework. Qualitative findings revealed that athletes relied on planning, communications with professors, and use of travel time to manage responsibilities, but also identified challenges such as missed classes, fatigue, and difficulty balancing roles, The study found that while student athletes are able to maintain academic success, they often do so while experiencing ongoing stress and burnout. Findings highlight the importance of academic support, communication, and institutional resources in prompting student athlete well-being.
Date Capstone Completed
5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Masters of Science in Leadership Education: Sport Management
Department
Leadership Education
Advisor
Joel Traver
Location
Winona, Minnesota
Recommended Citation
Johnson, McKinzey M., "Balancing Books and Bases: Performance and Burnout Among College Softball Athletes" (2026). Leadership Education Capstones. 108.
https://openriver.winona.edu/leadershipeducationcapstones/108
Metadata Creation Responsibility
McKinzey Johnson
