This study examines the current state of collegiate athletics through a critical and historical lens. Drawing on examples of activism and social justice in sport, this research seeks to examine the necessary elements for an athletics setting that disrupts oppressive structures. Using a counterspaces framework, it looks at alternative models for an athletics setting, with the goal of presenting a more just model of collegiate athletics. Missing from the current literature on collegiate athletics, and athletics in general, is research on programs and teams outside the "Power Five" conferences and more specifically outside football and men's basketball. Despite the small percentage of teams competing in this model, most of the research is devoted to them. This study seeks to address this gap by focusing on the experience of former Division III women's college student-athletes. Operating under the assumption that athletics is an educational space, the research argues that it should be critically examined and shift towards a more equitable setting that centers the value and dignity of each participant. [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.]