This book covers the developmental benefits of athletics. It provides a step-by-step model for setting up a comprehensive high school program, a guide for college-bound athletes, seven case studies, and an outline of counselors' responsibilities. The book is divided into three major parts: the athletic environment and the athlete's participation in it (Part I); special issues within the athletic environment (Part II); and external issues that have an impact on athletics (Part III). Individual chapters are: (1) "Developmental Benefits of Athletics" (Mary Mitchell Harris); (2) "School Counseling and the Student Athlete" (Beverly O'Bryant); (3) "Issues in Counseling Athletes at the High School Level" (Sara Joy Bailey); (4) "Role Models: An Athlete's Perspective" (Dick Barnett); (5)"Coaches and Student Athletes" (Gary Miller); (6) "A Guide for College-Bound Athletes" (Gary Sailes); (7) "Counseling Athletes in Higher Education" (Wayne Lanning and Peter Toye); (8) "Problem Solving and Decision Making: Life Skills for Student Athletes" (J. Scott Hinkle); (9) "Athletics and Career Development: A Research Model" (Victoria Coleman and Shirl Barker); (10) "The Negative Stereotyping of Student Athletes" (Kevin Burke); (11) "The African American Student Athlete" (Wyatt Kirk and Sarah Kirk); (12) "The Media's Effect on Athletics" (Charles Farrell); (13) "The Role of the NCAA" (Wilford Bailey); (14) "Controversies in Sports Medicine" (Karl Fields and Martha Delaney); and (15) "Law and Sports" (George Schubert and Arline Schubert). (NB)