When you think about your role as an RA or student staff member, one of your core responsibilities is building community. That includes connecting residents with one another, creating a sense of belonging, and making sure every voice is valued. But there’s one group of residents who often get overlooked in our programming and community-building efforts: student-athletes.
You might not see them at your programs. You might hear from other residents that “they just keep to themselves.” You might even wonder if they want to be part of the community at all. The reality is that student-athletes face a unique set of circumstances that shape how they show up—and it’s not about disinterest. It’s about capacity, time, and sometimes, invisibility.
This guide will help you better understand the student-athlete experience, challenge assumptions, and offer practical ways to engage them with empathy, intention, and creativity.
Seeing the Full Picture: What It’s Like to Be a Student-Athlete
To connect with someone, you have to start by understanding their world. Student-athletes often live on a schedule that’s as packed as a full-time job. On a typical day, they may wake up for a 6:00 a.m. workout, attend classes until mid-afternoon, go to practice until dinner, and spend the evening in study hall or reviewing game footage. Add travel days for away games and the mental pressure of high performance, and it’s clear why they might not have the time or energy to attend a paint night or game of capture the flag on the quad.
But being busy doesn’t mean they don’t care about community or that they don’t want to belong. In fact, many student-athletes crave connection beyond their team but don’t always know how or don’t always feel welcomed into that space. That’s where you come in.
Start With Relationships, Not Programs
Building community with student-athletes isn’t about planning the perfect event. It begins with small, genuine interactions that build trust over time. Say hello when you pass them in the hallway. Ask how their game went. Learn their names and the sport they play. You don’t need to be a sports expert, you just need to care. Over time, these small interactions send a powerful message: “I see you, and you matter here.”
- Greet them when you pass in the hallway.
- Ask how practice or a recent game went.
- Show genuine interest in their sport but also in their life beyond the sport.
- Be consistent in checking in, especially during travel-heavy or high-pressure weeks.
Rethink How and When You Program
Because of their schedules, student-athletes often can’t make traditional programs held in the early evening. That doesn’t mean they’re uninterested, it just means your timing may need to adapt.
Think about offering flexible or asynchronous engagement. Could you run a grab-and-go breakfast bar one morning when athletes are heading to practice? Can you host two versions of the same event (one in the evening and one during a lunch hour)? Even small tweaks to your program times or formats can increase access and make student-athletes feel included without overextending themselves.
Additionally, you can ask them directly. A quick message, group chat, or one-on-one conversation can go a long way: “Hey, I’m planning next month’s programs. Is there a time that might work better for you or something you’d be interested in?” When you include student-athletes in the planning process, you show them their participation is welcome and even more importantly, that their input is valued.
- Mini-programs like “grab-and-go” snacks or notes of encouragement before away games.
- Drop-in events like “study and snack” nights where athletes can participate on their own time.
- Offering multiple time slots for the same event if you know residents have very different schedules.
Break Down Stereotypes by Highlighting the Whole Person
A common assumption is that student-athletes only care about sports. But that’s just one part of who they are. They may be talented artists, passionate about social issues, or involved in student leadership. One of the best ways you can support them is by recognizing the full range of their identities. Try spotlighting residents (including athletes) on a bulletin board, in your group chat, or on social media. Share their interests, not just their stats. Highlight their academic achievements, hobbies, or the ways they contribute to the hall community. When we humanize each other, we break down invisible walls. And when athletes see themselves represented in the broader community, they’re more likely to engage beyond their team.
- Highlight their other interests: art, leadership, music, academics.
- Feature them in a “Meet Your Neighbors” bulletin board or social media spotlight that shares fun facts beyond their sport.
- When they attend events or meetings, give them space to share perspectives unrelated to athletics.
Build Bridges With Campus Partners
You’re not in this alone. Athletic departments, academic advisors, and coaching staff are often eager to support holistic student development but they might not know what’s happening in the residence halls. Reach out to athletic academic support staff to learn more about student-athletes’ schedules and commitments. See if there are existing workshops or wellness programs you can co-host. Invite a coach or trainer to attend a program, or coordinate a meet-and-greet between teams and other residents. Collaboration shows student-athletes that you respect the systems they’re part of and it helps unify campus efforts around student success.
- Athletic academic advisors can share insight into athlete schedules and challenges.
- Counseling or wellness centers may offer sport-specific workshops on managing stress and performance anxiety.
- Invite a coach or trainer to speak at a program or host a “Q&A with a Coach” event.
Celebrate Their Wins: On and Off the Field
Most student-athletes receive public recognition for their athletic accomplishments. But very few get acknowledged for the hard work they do behind the scenes: balancing academics, leadership, and personal growth. As an RA, you have a chance to recognize those smaller, everyday victories. Congratulate them after a tough game, even if they lost. Commend their academic success. Leave a handwritten note on their door before a major meet or match. Invite residents to cheer them on together at a home game. And don’t forget to celebrate lesser-known sports (not just football or basketball). These small gestures help student-athletes feel seen, not just as performers, but as full members of your residential community.
- Congratulate them after a game or tournament.
- Celebrate their academic success, too—not just athletic milestones.
- Create a bulletin board showcasing athlete achievements, both on and off the field.
- Leave encouraging notes on their doors before a big competition.
Empower Leadership, Even Within Limits
It’s easy to assume that student-athletes are too busy for leadership roles in the hall. But just like any other resident, they often want to give back and contribute. They just need flexible opportunities. Ask if they’d like to co-facilitate a program on teamwork, wellness, or performance anxiety. See if they’d be open to mentoring younger students in time management or resilience. Let them take ownership of a low-commitment, high-impact role. When you open the door, you may be surprised by their willingness to walk through it. Leadership looks different for everyone, and when student-athletes take on visible roles in the hall, they help bridge gaps and show their peers that “RA things” aren’t off-limits to them.
- Ask if they’d like to co-host a wellness or fitness-themed program.
- Invite them to be mentors to first-year students.
- Encourage them to serve on residence hall councils or student advisory boards, even if their role has to be flexible.
Keep Listening and Learning
The best way to know how to support student-athletes is to ask. You can host informal check-ins, ask for feedback after events, or include a question about athletic commitments on a survey. By creating channels for feedback and acting on what you hear, you make it easier for student-athletes (and all residents) to feel like co-creators of the community. You build a culture where residents don’t just attend your events. They help shape them.
- Hold informal one-on-ones or small listening sessions.
- Add a question about athletic schedules to your community needs assessment.
- Use what you learn to adjust how and when you offer programs or support.
Belonging Isn’t Conditional
Student-athletes aren’t a separate group. They’re not a special case. They’re your residents. And they deserve the same opportunity to feel at home in your community as everyone else. It’s easy to fall into an “us vs. them” mindset, especially when residents have different lifestyles or priorities. But when you take the time to understand student-athletes and invite them to be full participants in your community. You’ll see how much they have to offer.
Whether they’re headed to practice at 6 a.m. or just trying to keep up with classes on the road, student-athletes are part of our residence life family. Let’s make sure they feel it. Yes, their lives look different. Yes, their time is limited. But that doesn’t mean they don’t want connection. It means they need it even more.
As an RA, your influence matters. You have the power to change perceptions, open doors, and make sure no resident feels like they’re on the outside looking in. When you take the time to understand their world, shift your approach, and extend a hand, you open the door to relationships that might otherwise never form. You help make residence life a space where all identities and commitments are acknowledged and where every resident knows: “You belong here.”
Adapted from They Not Like Us… Actually They Are! Engaging Student-Athletes in our Residence Halls
