The Academic and Athletic Balance among Female Student-Athletes (2012)

Undergraduate: Taren Cherry

Faculty Advisor: Deborah Stroman
Department: Exercise & Sport Science

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Student-athletes are sometimes faced with pressures that are derived from a variety of outside influences such as their coaches and social environments. They are required to attend practice, make the big plays of the games, as well as maintain a grade point average that will allow student-athletes to meet NCAA eligibility requirements. One can predict that majority of these pressures may be placed on revenue generating sports such as football and men’s basketball. However, how do these pressures affect the academic and athletic balance of female student-athletes who play non-revenue generating sports? The purpose of this study is to analyze the academic and athletic balance among female collegiate student-athletes. The study is designed to focus on the factors that contribute to the academic performance of NCAA Division I female student-athletes at a major southern institution. The sample size will include a maximum of 68 female student-athletes from the following sports of softball, tennis, and track and field. The statistical analysis will include examining the average time spent in certain activities such as study hall, practice, & social interactions. Once the following study is complete, it could potentially show statistics that would be beneficial in sharing with the Academic Support Program in order for student-athletes to gain more resources to help them balance their time between academics and athletics.