Schlossberg’s Transition Theory in

We Are Marshall

Schlossberg’s Transition Model

What is a transition?Types of events

Anticipated, unanticipated, non-event, positive, and negative

The 4 S’sSituationSelfSupportStrategies

Characters in We Are Marshall

Nate—surviving team memberTom—surviving team memberReggie—freshman on teamAnnie—her fiancé died in plane crash

1st clipPlane crash

Plane CrashUnanticipated

Not predicted or scheduledSelf

Effects everyone differentlyPsychological resources available?

SupportFriends and family

StrategiesCoping methods

Clip 223 mins-26 mins: University administrators

discuss with Nate that they’re planning to suspend the football program, as it takes years to build a strong football team and program; Tom and Nate discussing the rebuilding of the team, Tom doesn’t want any part of this

Positive/Negative unanticipated event

Growth through transitionBeginning to cope with event

Positive for NateReaching out to freshmen playersFeeling like he can play football again

Negative for TomRealizes he doesn’t want to play footballAgrees with administration

Clip 347:50- 49:00 :Nate goes to Tom and says they

have a coach, reflects on their freshman year and how they’re best friends, Tom is struggling with the fact that he wasn’t with the team that day at the game b/c he overslept and he feels guilty b/c he should’ve been there.

Negative NoneventTom should’ve been at the game and on the

plane but he wasn’tStrategies

How is he coping with this?Negative

He is not going back to team, even though Nate is being supportive

Clip 41:09:34—1:10ish/1:11ish: new recruits who live

with Reggie open up the beers that he’d bought 5 months ago for the team to drink

Unanticipated/Positive Event

UnanticipatedReggie didn’t expect to be able to move forward

CopingShows how Reggie & Nate are coping differently

ReggieMoving on/forward with his life

NateStill having trouble, didn’t want to hang out with

new recruits

Clip 5?1:16--: first football game of the season, Annie

and Tom are listening to it on the radio from far awayshows they’re still in transition, not

comfortable/okay with everything; the team loses

1:21-- : one of the new recruits threw down the jersey and Reggie and Nate get in a fight with him and tell him to be respectful

Unanticipated EventCommunity did not expect them to playTom and Annie still aren’t comfortable with it

They are transitioning though as they listened to the game

Team loses

Clip 61:23—1:25/ 1:26-1:27 Nate is hitting everyone

hard in practice, taking his teammates out hard

TransitionShows how he is coping with it

Feels aloneTries to fight through pain of shoulder injury

Coach is supportiveLets him know he’s not aloneShares his troubleSocial/relationship support

Clip 71:39—1:41Annie is walking with Chris’s dad

talking about California; he is encouraging her to go and talking to her about grief

1:59: Annie driving in her car going to California, summarizes where everyone ended up

Potential Non-EventShe’s always thought she would go to California,

now she’s questioningCould be a positive change for her They talk about dealing with the event

Clip 81:44-1:45 Coach takes them to graveyard and

reminds them/talks to them about the plane crash and tells them to play with their hearts

Transition/CopingShows how far the team has comeReminds new players to honor those lostServed as closure for Nate and ReggieTom still not involved with football

Clip 91:49: Nate has taken a few hard hits and he

can’t play anymore b/c of his shoulder. Coach supports Nate and says he’s done enough and that he team is together b/c he never stopped pushing

NoneventNate thought he would be able to play, but he

can’tCoping, dealing with tragedySupport from coach

How can we utilize this in Student Affairs?

Being aware of students transitionsHow they can happen, different types, etc.

Serving as support systems