The purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental, casual-comparative study was to examine differences in the level of self-esteem in student athletes depending on whether or not they planned to continue participating in sports at a four-year institution (athletic participation status groups), and for those not continuing, whether the reason was voluntary or involuntary (sport termination rationale groups). This study was derived from the self-determination theory and the positive transitional model. Self-esteem was measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The final sample consisted of 225 students, from two junior colleges in southern California. A significant difference in self-esteem between athletic participation status groups was not observed (t(223) = 1.81, p = 0.071), providing insufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis. There was a significant difference between sport termination rationale groups (t(134) = 3.88, p < 0.001). Individuals who reported that the reason for not continuing was voluntary had a higher level of self-esteem than individuals who reported that the reason for not continuing was involuntarily, leading to a rejection of the null hypothesis. A post hoc analysis for student athletes who said they intended to continue sports participation revealed that those who had not received formal communication from a four-year institution to continue reported significantly higher self-esteem compared to those who had received such communication (t(20) = 5.23, p = 0.001). This study will help coaches, parents, and athletic administrators with self-esteem awareness, specifically in junior college student athletes, as they transition from sports at the junior college level. [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://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]