Date of Award
1991
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Physical Education
Abstract
The study was designed to assess the academic requirements of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Bylaw 14-3 (Proposition 48) as a predictor of student-athletes' academic success, by studying (1) attrition rate; (2) cumulative grade point average; and (3) first semester grade point average. Participants in this study were student-athletes enrolled at Indiana State University between August 1, 1986, and January 1, 1991, totaling 130. Data for each subject were obtained through the Athletic Study Center and the Office of Academic Affairs. The analysis of this research showed no significant difference in the attrition rate of Indiana State University black and white student-athletes not meeting the requirements of NCAA Bylaw 14-3 (proposition 48) and student-athletes meeting the requirements of NCAA Bylaw 14-3 (non-proposition 48). A significant difference was found to exist in first semester grade point average (1.81) and cumulative grade point average (1.91) between black proposition 48 athletes and the first semester grade point average (2.35) and cumulative grade point average (2.25) of white proposition 48 athletes. Proposition 48 athletes had a significantly lower first semester grade point average (2.03) and cumulative grade point average (2.04) than the first semester grade point average (2.63) and cumulative grade point average (2.60) than non-proposition 48 athletes. The results of this study demonstrated that the first semester grade point average was a predictor of academic success. This was evidenced by the similarity to the cumulative grade point average. The results of this study present these recommendations: The NCAA should strengthen initial eligibility requirements. The NCAA should place the same requirements upon universities and colleges admitting athletes as they do regular students. Proposition 48 athletes should be required to attend and graduate from a junior college in order to be eligible for participation. This study demonstrated that Bylaw 14-3 in its present form is ineffective. The academic support system that accompanied Bylaw 14-3 is a positive step and may have accounted for the low rate of attrition. But, the cumulative grade point averages of proposition 48 athletes demonstrate these athletes are unlikely to graduate. The cumulative grade point average of black proposition 48 athletes also demonstrates these athletes are unlikely to graduate. Eligibility for participation should be restricted to those capable of maintaining the required minimum grade point average.
Recommended Citation
Judge, Lawrence W., "The National Collegiate Athletic Association'S Academic Requirements As Predictors Of Academic Success" (1991). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 899.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/899