Athlete Leadership in College Sports: A Review of Theory, Practice, and Developmental Gaps

Abstract

This literature review examines the development of athlete leadership in college sports, with a specific focus on peer leadership roles, such as team captains and leadership councils. Based on key leadership theories, including transformational, shared, and adaptive leadership, this review examines how leadership skills have been developed across various areas of higher education, such as residence life, student government, and Greek life. Although leadership is often studied in coaching and youth sports, there is a notable lack of research on how leadership structures are established or supported among college student-athletes. This review highlights a notable gap in the literature regarding the development of peer leaders in college athletics. While captains and various leadership structures often influence team culture, manage conflicts, and foster accountability, they are frequently assigned these responsibilities without formal training. Shared leadership models, such as councils, show potential but suffer from inconsistent role clarity and limited developmental support. Drawing on examples from collegiate student-led organizations and leadership literature, this review highlights the pressing need for institutionally grounded, theory-driven leadership programs for student-athletes who serve in peer leadership roles. It concludes with suggestions for athletic departments to implement structured, research-based approaches that better equip student- athletes to lead their peers effectively and fairly.