Transitioning out of college for NCAA Division III student athletes is a unique experience. Through the lens of the athletic identity theory, this study examined how Division III student athletes describe their experience transitioning out of college. Participants included former Division III student athletes from a university in the southwest region of the United States. From a qualitative approach, this researcher conducted face-to-face interviews with 9 former Division III student athletes. Using a descriptive phenomenological design, student athlete responses were analyzed to gain insight about the various characteristics associated with the experience of transitioning out of college. Student athletes discussed several aspects of their experience including lack of preparation for life after college, fear of the unknown, emotions experienced, skill transferability, and the implications of their athletic identity on who they are now. This study reveals inferences for future research on NCAA Division III student athletes and their transition out of athletics and college. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]