The relationship between athletic participation and academic performance: evidence from NCAA Division III

This paper examines athletes' grades and graduation rates at an NCAA Divisi on III institution. Thirty-seven per cent of all college athletes compete i n Division III, yet this group has received little attention in the literat ure. Nontransfer student-athletes have higher GPAs than nonathletes, while transfer student-athletes have grades similar to nonathletes. Graduation ra tes are higher for athletes. Thus, athletic participation does not impair s tudents' academic performance.