Imagine a young athlete, once passionate and excited about their sport, now dreading every practice. Their coach’s words hurt far worse than any injury, and their teammates’ silence reinforces the fear. It’s not tough coaching… it’s abuse. And it’s happening far too often in athletics today.
Abuse in sports takes on many forms beyond just physical: it can be psychological, sexual, even digital. It can come from anyone. The consequences? Long-term damage to an athlete’s mental and physical well-being, stripping away the joy and growth that sports are meant to provide.
From excessive discipline to verbal degradation and coercion, abuse in athletics takes many forms. Understanding it is the first step toward stopping it.
Types of Abuse in Athletics
Contrary to popular belief, abuse isn’t always inflicted by coaches or authority figures — athletes can endure abuse from teammates or even fans. Moreso, there are many types of abuse that athletes face, ranging from physical abuse (excessive training, forced participation while injured or any form of physical harm), emotional and psychological abuse (verbal harassment, humiliation or manipulation that degrades an athlete’s self-esteem), sexual abuse (unwanted advances, coercion or inappropriate physical contact), neglect (withholding necessary medical attention, ignoring complaints or failing to provide a safe training environment), and digital and online harassment (cyberbullying, online threats or public shaming of athletes).
How Often Does This Occur?
Abuse in athletics is alarmingly common. The statistics paint an alarming picture:
- 1 in 5 NCAA student-athletes report experiencing abusive coaching.
- Athlete abuse spikes during high-pressure events like March Madness, with female athletes disproportionately targeted.
- Online harassment of college athletes is rising, prompting the NCAA to call for social media platforms to curb abuse.
- Over 40% of college athletes reported experiencing some form of abuse from coaches.
Recognizing Abuse in Athletics
Knowing what to look out for and identifying abuse is critical to protecting athletes. Be on the look-out for specific behaviors such as drastic changes in athlete behavior like withdrawal, anxiety or fear toward certain individuals, unexplained injuries or persistent fatigue beyond standard sports-related strains, reluctance to participate or sudden performance decline, emotional distress or depression symptoms or reports of inappropriate behavior from athletes or peers.
Preventing Abuse in Athletics
What is Being Done?
Though athlete abuse has been seldom addressed historically, more and more people are speaking up today, leading to new research and assessment programs, stronger policies and oversight and the rise of athlete advocacy organizations. Universities, such as Utah State, are developing tools to measure and address abuse in college sports. The NCAA and other governing bodies are implementing stricter abuse prevention measures: for example, State senators in Kentucky have introduced a bill that seeks to make it easier for high school student-athletes to recognize report abuse. Finally, groups like The U.S. Center for SafeSport and The Army of Survivors push for systemic change and provide reporting platforms.
What Can Athletic Directors Do?
Athletic directors play a pivotal role in safeguarding athletes by:
- Establishing a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and enforcing strict reporting mechanisms.
- Implementing comprehensive training for coaches and staff to recognize, prevent and address abuse.
- Creating an open-door policy where athletes feel safe reporting concerns.
- Partnering with third-party organizations to provide confidential reporting hotlines and professional counseling.
- Regularly reviewing and updating policies to align with best practices in athlete safety.
Abuse in athletics is not something to be taken lightly — it demands urgent action. It is an athletic director’s responsibility to recognize the signs, support athletes and enforce preventative measures to foster a safe and supportive sports environment. By prioritizing athlete well-being and enforcing protective policies, you can create a culture where sports remain a space of growth, integrity and success.
