BERKELEY – University of California Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton has announced his retirement effective July 1. Chancellor Lyons will be announcing the new leadership structure for Cal Athletics in the coming weeks.
Adapting to life after retiring from sport can be challenging for elite athletes, particularly those who have a strong identity associated with their sports. Research shows that these individuals may experience poor adjustment to their retirement, and this can have negative consequences on their mental health.
This is especially true for those who have a less than ideal end to their sporting career. For example, a wrestler named Frank Molinaro was confident that the Olympics would be his last competitive year but when the Olympic games were postponed and he wasn’t selected to compete again, he decided to retire.
For other athletes, their retirement can be much more abrupt and unexpected. The women’s soccer star Alex Morgan, for example, announced her retirement midseason in 2024 with the San Diego Wave.
It’s important for those athletes who are considering retiring to check with their National or International governing body to see if they have any specific requirements that must be met. For example, USADA requires athletes who wish to re-enroll in the testing pool after retiring to complete a return to competition questionnaire and comply with all Whereabouts requirements. This will help ensure that a return to competitive activity doesn’t violate anti-doping rules. Athletes are encouraged to discuss this with their coach and therapist before making any decisions to ensure they can transition smoothly.