| The purpose of this study was an examination of the effects interscholastic sports programs have on student athletes' school performance. Specifically, this study determined whether interscholastic sports programs affected student athletes' academic level, attendance rate, and number of disciplinary referrals during their season of competition (in-season) versus when the athlete was not in competition (out-of-season). Four distinct interscholastic sport events were used in this study: volleyball, football, and boys and girls track. Records of 195 athletes were used, of whom 89.2% were Black, 6.7% were White, 3% were Hispanic, and 1% was Mixed (Black and White). The data used for this study were grade point averages, absences, and the number of times the student athletes were referred to the office for disciplinary problems. A quantitative research methodology was used in this study. Correlational and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. This study analyzed the data from two semesters to determine if a statistically significant difference occurred in grade point averages, attendance rates, and the number of disciplinary referrals when the athletes were in-season versus out-of-season. The results of the study revealed no statistically significance differences in student athletes' grade point averages, attendance, or the number of disciplinary referrals while they were in-season versus out-of-season. |
