The concept of life purpose has emerged as an important aspect of character with implications for a range of character-related dispositions and behaviors. In this study of intercollegiate athletes from diverse sports (N = 2,374), we examined purpose in relation to 2 aspects of identity (moral and athletic), 2 contesting orientations, empathic concern, and fear of failure. Results indicated that purposefulness correlated positively with all study variables except fear of failure, which correlated negatively. Results of hierarchical regression demonstrated that control variables (gender, age, sport area, and years competing) accounted for only 1% of the variance in purpose scores. The main study variables accounted for an additional 24% to the explained variance, with athletic identity and partnership contesting orientation contributing the most to the final model. Results are discussed in terms of how interactions between person variables and the affordances of sport may contribute to development of a sense of purpose.