Untangling the Links among Athletic Involvement, Gender, Race, and Adolescent Academic Outcomes

Abstract

Although previous research has established that high school sports participation might be associated with positive academic outcomes, the parameters of the relationship remain unclear. Using a longitudinal sample of nearly 600 western New York adolescents, this study examined gender- and race-specific differences on the impact of two dimensions of adolescent athletic involvement (“jock” identity and athlete status) on changes in school grades and school misconduct over a 2-year interval. Female and Black adolescents who identified themselves as jocks reported lower grades than did those who did not, whereas female athletes reported higher grades than female nonathletes. Jocks also reported significantly more misconduct (including skipping school, cutting classes, having someone from home called to the school for disciplinary purposes, and being sent to the principal’s office) than did nonjocks. Gender moderated the relationship between athlete status and school misconduct; athletic participation had a less salutary effect on misconduct for girls than for boys.

Under-represented college students and extracurricular involvement: the effects of various student organizations on academic performance

“…However, some recent studies that address the effect of athletic participation among minority students highlight the positive impact of athletics on their social and academic development (Broh 2002;Guest and Schneider 2003;Jordan 1999;Miller et al 2005). Jordan (1999) finds that sports participation improves the school engagement and academic self-confidence of Black adolescents; he also finds a positive relationship between sports participation and academic achievement.…”

“…Therefore, an analysis of this type of involvement during college is necessary when considering the effect of different extracurricular activities on the academic performance of minority students. However, there have been mixed results about the relationship between athletic participation and academic performance (Broh 2002;Edwards 2000;Eitle and Eitle 2002;Jordan 1999;Miller et al 2005).…”

“…For example, some studies show that athletic involvement during college may be detrimental to the performance of college students (Adler and Adler 1991;Edwards 1984;Eitle and Eitle 2002;Guest and Schneider 2003;Miller et al 2005); however, the effect may depend on factors such as race, gender, and the type of sports activity in which the students are involved (Eitzen 2003). There is also little research about the effect of involvement in Greek letter organizations on academic performance.…”

The Academic Achievement of Elite Athletes at Australian Schools

“…The issue raised is that this research has rejected the 'zero-sum' theory that indisputably underpinned much of the extensive literature to come out of the US (see Miller, Melnick, Barnes, Farrell, & Sabo, 2005;Hauser & Lueptow, 1978;Coleman, 1961). Zero-sum theorists subscribe to the belief that students who dedicate time to sport and physical activity, thereby reducing time spent in academic pursuits, inevitably demonstrate lower scholastic ability than non-athletes.…”

High school boys' basketball and the social structure of suburban, rural, and urban high school communities : a comparative case study.

“…Miller, Melnick, Barnes, Farrell, and Sabo (2005) conducted a study to address the unclear relationship between high school sports participation and positive academic outcomes. Using a longitudinal study of approximately 600 adolescents in western New York, the study examined gender and race specific differences on the impact of athletic involvement on school grades and school misconduct over the two years of the study.…”