Playing for Security: A Former College Athlete Uses His Skills in the Workforce

By Aimee Martinez

Time no longer operates in semesters for Steven Hubbell. The days of shooting practice at 6:00 a.m. and weight training at the end of a full day of classes are over. The team comradery of basketball and the rush of games has given way to the year long, 40 hour weeks of the American workforce.  

The former college athlete works at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, where Hubbell is transitioning from management trainee to assistant manager. He graduated from the University of Hawaii Hilo with a Master’s in Business Administration in 2022. He decided to move back in with his parents in Los Angeles because he saw the job market was larger than in Hawaii. 

When he started playing for the Division II school, Hubbell never saw himself playing basketball professionally. He wanted to be a collegiate coach. The 25-year-old spent summers being a trainer for high school players and as a coach for Amatuer Athletic Union (AAU) high school teams. After sending resumes to various colleges, Concordia University Irvine and Oklahoma City University were two of the more prominent universities that reached out. Concordia Irvine offered him a position as a graduate assistant coach, but it was unpaid.

“Even though I love basketball, I think when I sat down and kind of looked at both the benefits of becoming a coach and seeking other opportunities, I first looked at my life goals, and they just didn't line up with coaching, at least in the monetary aspects,” said Hubbell.

For many college athletes, their identity is in the sport and when they must leave either from injury or simply because they did not make it professionally, some wonder what their life will look like.

According to the NCAA, only 2% of college athletes are able to play their sport professionally. For those who do not play professionally, some find transitioning out of the structure of classes, practice, and games difficult because of the lack of structure. 

However, the skills athletes learn often help them apply themselves to new career prospects. A 2017 CNBC article wrote how many CEOs are college athletes. The team-building skills they learned as well the connections provided by their sports organizations helped them climb to the top of their companies. 

A Gallup Study found that Former student-athletes who received a bachelor’s degree between 1970 and 2014 are leading other college graduates in four out of five elements of well-being. 

Despite the change in his routine, Hubbell is settling in well to his new life. Hubbell enjoys the working environment at Enterprise and is able to utilize his degree. His experience with competition translates to his work, winning sales and helping his team earn profits. His leadership skills as captain for his team at Glendale Community College and Hawaii Hilo will help him manage his own branch at the company. 

Fitness is no longer part of his education, but four to five times a week, he still exercises at a nearby gym after work, keeping the habit from his college days. Some days his energy takes a toll, but those times, he says he gets by on caffeine. 

This may not always be his future, but for now his main goal is to become financially independent and move out of his parent’s house.

“It's cliche, but hopefully I can find something where I can work where I don't mind doing it,” said Hubbell. “A goal is definitely to get back into the basketball world. I'm a big believer in giving back to the sport that gave me so much.” 

Hubbell’s old teammates are scattered across the world now, connected through texts and social media. Free time can be hard to come by, but when he has it, Hubbell finds the time to reconnect with old friends. Sometimes he still plays basketball with them, but is finding enjoyment in other sports like golf.  

“Purpose and motivation has always been my family, trying to make them proud, making sure at least my name holds a high standard when I meet people,” said Hubbell.