Thesis

Evaluating Academic Success in Student Athletes:
A Literature Review
Scott R. Stansbury
Department of Education and Human Services
Villanova University
Edited by Ray Heitzmann

In the world of collegiate athletics, student athletes across the country use the opportunities provided to them to become the future professional athletes, teachers, coaches, and business leaders of our world. But at what cost to the education of these student athletes has this business atmosphere become? As Division I and II institutions continue to provide scholarships and other benefits to these students, the question is whether they are receiving a quality education. Studies have shown that participation in extra-curricular activities such as athletics
(Hood et al., 1992) improves overall student academic performance. However, it must be noted that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has instituted numerous policies and propositions (NCAA Division I Manual, 2003) in regards to “redshirting” athletes for academic or medical reasons. However, no concrete research has been done to determine if keeping an athlete out of competition during their freshman year, while allowing them to continue to practice with the team (considered an “academic redshirt”) would have positive or negative effects on their academic performance during that first year. This literature review includes research-based studies that evaluate the effect that athletic participation has on the academic performance of intercollegiate student athletes. The goal of this literature review is to provide a substantial basis of factual information that would be used to support a study evaluating the effects that “redshirting” would have on academic performance.

INTRODUCTION
Sports fans across the country are not unfamiliar with the business atmosphere introduced into the world of intercollegiate athletics. Whether it is evident in the college football bowl series where major

Cited: Carodine, K., Almond, K., & Gratto, K. (2001). College Student Athletes Success Both In and Out of the Classroom Gerdy, J. (1996). Time-Out for Freshman Eligibility. The College Board Review, 179, 20-23,27. Grites, T.J., & James, G.L. (1986). Division III – Another Ballgame. NACADA Journal, 3, 2326. Hood, A., Craig, A., & Ferguson, B. (1992). The Impact of Athletics, Part-time Employment, and Other Activities On Academic Achievement National Collegiate Athletic Association. (1996-2001). A Longitudinal Analysis of NCAA Division I Graduation Rates Data National Collegiate Athletic Association. (1999-2002). Academic Characteristics of the 1997 and 1998 Prospective Student-Athlete Cohorts in the NCAA Initial Eligibility National Collegiate Athletic Association. (2003). NCAA Division I Manual. Indianapolis, IN: NCAA Eligibility Committee. Pascarella, E., Bohr, L., Nora, A., & Terenzini, P. (1995). Intercollegiate Athletic Participation and Freshman Year Cognitive Structures Pascarella, E., Edison, M., Hagedorn, L., Nora, A., & Terenzini, P. (1995). Influences on Internal Locus of Attribution for Academic Success in the First Year of College. National Study of Student Learning, 3-7,21-24. Retrieved September 15, 2003, from Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) database (R117G10037). Russell, R. & Petrie, T. (1992). Academic Adjustment of College Students: Assessment and Counseling Ryan, F. (1989). Participation in Intercollegiate Athletics: Affective Outcomes. Journal of College Student Development, 30, 122-128. Sedlacek, W. Adams-Gaston, J. (1992). Predicting the Academic Success of Student-Athletes Using SAT and Noncognitive Variables Shulman, J.L., & Bowen, W.G. (2001). The Game of Life: College Sports and Educational Values Suggs, W. (2003, September 12). Athletes’ Graduation Rates Sets a Record. The Chronicle of Higher Education, pp