College Conversations:

Behind the Game, Male College Athletes

Blog Contributor: Shelby Leventhal

* The thoughts, opinions, and viewpoints of this blog do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint or stances of Men’s Health Network.

As a college student at a large university, I am surrounded by athletes, whether it be friends, classmates, or fellow gym-goers.

From basketball players to football players, to even club sport athletes, these men spend long hours training and dedicating time towards their sports.

As a woman and fellow college student, I admire the time and attention these men give their sports. But sometimes, I do wonder if they are taking care of their mental and emotional health with that same enthusiasm. While they prioritize physical health and the conversations that surround them, the conversations about mental health don’t come as easily.

College sports are extremely strenuous, and while also committing to pursuing their degree, these athletes must commit to early morning practices, strength and conditioning sessions, and long seasons full of travel. From the outside, it is impressive to watch the balance, but we also tend to put the academics on the backburner and solely focus on athlete performance.

It is also clear that the pressure to perform physically can be intense between injuries, fatigue, and physical strain.

Taking care of their bodies tends to take priority over mental health.

One thing I have noticed from my experience with athletes, especially males, is that they tend to push through stress without talking about it. Many male athletes grow up in environments where toughness is expected, and while that mindset can help in games it can also make it harder to open up about their mental struggles.

While interviewing University of Kentucky Club Hockey forward, Robert Calice regarding toughness, he says, “Growing up, I remember when the game would be over and I’d be tossing and turning, super anxious just because I would think maybe I could’ve changed something, then mentally you start thinking of yourself as if I make a bad play, then I’m a bad person, and I really realized that you have to leave problems at the rink or field if you want to be successful in your sport.”

From a woman’s perspective, it is clear that college male athletes deal with so much mentally between pressure to perform and be their best in their sport, maintaining their grades, representing their team well, and managing school stress.

Having conversations about mental health should be just as important as the ones regarding physical health.

Sometimes, the people around these athletes tend to notice that they might not be prioritizing their mental health as much as their physical health. However, when your friends are also your teammates, you do not want to appear weak and tend to want to “man up” just like the rest of them. When discussing the term “being a man,” Calice says, “The term has a lot of stigma behind it, I think if you are truly a hurt player, you realize you can’t help your teammates and that’s the biggest part about “being a man,” you want to be there for your teammates and know you never gave up on them.”

From my perspective, many male college athletes are great at supporting their teammates but not always themselves.

It’s easy for them to push through stress because that’s what male athletes are taught to do.

However, you cannot have this mindset forever without it slowly taking its toll on your health.

Men’s health conversations should include college athletes because they are under unique pressure to perform over anything. Encouraging open conversations about mental health, strains in their sport, and overall wellness can help create healthier athletes, especially in the long-term.

Though it can appear that a season matters more than anything, parasocial reliance on these athletes can be a huge strain. College sports are about more than just winning games; they are about growth, discipline, and building strong communities. Prioritizing men’s health ensures that athletes can succeed not just in their sport, but in their lives outside of their sports. Because many athletic departments do recognize that many athletes endure these struggles, they offer many resources for their athletes.

Many colleges offer access to athletic trainers, physical therapists, and nutritionists to keep athletes on track.

In addition to these physical health resources, many athletic departments are beginning to recognize the importance of mental health. Some programs offer helpful resources like sports psychologists, therapy services, and overall wellness programs.

These resources keep athletes physically and mentally stable.

Watching college athletes for as long as I can remember and now being surrounded by them every day on campus, I have found a new sense of appreciation for all the hats college athletes wear. This appreciation has also highlighted the importance of supporting these male athletes and the ways they may feel like they need to hide their mental health struggles.

From a college woman’s perspective, the strongest athletes are not the ones who lift the most weight or score the most points, but rather those who prioritize all aspects of their health and wellness.

About the Author:

Shelby Leventhal is a senior at the University of Kentucky, pursuing a degree in Communications and Journalism. She is a Spring 2026 intern with Men’s Health Network and an avid writer. She is also a dedicated member of Delta Zeta sorority, and is known for her vibrant personality, leadership, and commitment to fostering a sense of community.

Outside of academics, Shelby enjoys a variety of hobbies that reflect her dynamic interests. She’s an enthusiastic participant in recreational sports, a lover of music, an adventurous cook, and a devoted friend to all things furry. Whether she’s cheering on her Wildcats or spending time with her sorority sisters, Shelby brings creativity and energy to everything she does.