Academic support factors affecting the graduation rates of student athletes

Abstract

This study examined the components of academic support that influenced the graduation rates of college football players. The study included Research I and Land Grant institutions that participated in NCAA Division I athletics and met NCAA eligibility standards for student athletes. A total of 27 institutions were identified. Among these schools, there were no significant differences in the average SAT scores. The 27 schools were ranked in the order of their average graduation rates for football players for 1996, 1997, and 1998. The top three, middle three, and bottom three institutions were then chosen for comparison and analysis. Information about each institution's Academic Support Program was gathered through the use of a questionnaire and follow-up interviews. All nine of the surveyed institutions had similar components of academic support. The top three programs differed from the others in two ways: (1) Key leaders (Athletic Director, Academic Program Director, coaches, and faculty) established academic success as a priority and used positive consequences for success and negative consequences for failure to perform and (2) student athletes were served through the academic services, programs, and systems the university already provided to assist all students. Ironically, the three institutions with the largest budgets and largest number of academic staff had the lowest graduation rates. Implications concentrate on potential changes in institutional policies. This study has five implications for the NCAA, university Presidents, and Athletic Directors.