The Relationship Between Academic and Athletic Achievement Among Male College Soccer Student-Athletes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between academic and athletic performance of collegiate male soccer student-athletes; student-athletes were measured using two assessments, the Cooper Test and Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) IQ equivalency scores. The study used a correlational design. Eighteen (n = 18), student-athletes from a small Division III soccer program participated in the study. All eighteen student-athletes were earning a four-year degree at the institution at the time of the study. The researcher hypothesized that a positive relationship would be present between academic and athletic performance. In this regard, the null hypothesis was not rejected. Statistical results supported that no significant relationship existed between the two variables. The insignificant results from the study do not affirm or reject existing forms of research in the field of student-athlete achievement and performance. Recommendations for future research include using a larger and diverse sample, random selection of participants, collecting data in several realms of academic and athletic performance, and encouraging the researcher to have no prior relationships with the student-athletes.