Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to investigate the academic achievement of athletes and non-athletes by use of grade point averages (GPA) and a teacher-completed questionnaire of the academic profile of each subject. The independent variables investigated were athletes and non-athletes. The dependent variables were GPA, study skills, work ethic, organizational skills, potential, and behavior. The categorical variables were gender and athletic participation. GPA's of all subjects (N=192) were recorded and questionnaires were given to current academic teachers of each subject. Each questionnaire was scored according to the answers given (Likert Scale).Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Tests and Two Way ANOVA's (General Linear Model) were used to compare all data. All comparisons were tested at the .05 level of significance. The results of this study support the following generalizations:1. Female athletes had higher GPA's and better classroom skills than male athletes and male and female non-athletes.2. Male non-athletes had lower GPA's and poorerclassroom skills than male and female athletes.3. Athletes had higher GPA's and better classroomskills than non-athletes.4. Multiple sport participants had equal or higher GPA's and classroom skills than individual or team sport participants.5. Team sport participants had higher GPA's and better classroom skills than individual sport participants.