Abstract
Statement of the problem. While academic and research integrity remain on the forefront of university presidents and faculty alike, athletic success remains a high priority. To date, NCAA graduation rates are the only measuring stick to validate the academic intent of student-athletes. There had been no information as to whether elite student-athletes (firstteam all-conference honorees) are more or less likely to graduate than the general student-athlete population. Methodology. The researcher used descriptive and ex post facto research. A questionnaire was developed and sent to athletic department officials at the twenty-five universities that made up the Pacific 10 Conference, the Western Athletic Conference, and Big West Conference from 1990–1999. The surveys listed every athlete at the respective institution that earned first-team all-conference honors in the sports of men's/women's basketball, baseball, women's volleyball plus men's/women's tennis. Findings. Elite student-athletes are graduating at significantly greater rate than general student-athletes. The greatest contrast in the study was between males and females. Standout females are graduating at a rate competitive with the top academic programs in the country. The study found a significant difference when breaking down the graduation rate by ethnicity and sport. Women's volleyball, women's basketball, and women's tennis ranked 1-2-3 within the study, and people of color are less likely to graduate than those who identified themselves as White or Other. The opportunity to compete as a professional is also a significant factor. Those sports with the greatest opportunity in professional athletics (men's basketball and baseball) had the worst graduation rates. Conclusions. Despite the fact that elite athletes have led a life of privilege, including in some cases special admittance, they are, as a whole, academically outperforming their non-elite peers. The best males are still pursuing careers in professional sports, keeping many of them from graduating. But the new pro options for women are not preventing them from graduating. Thus, elite females are more focused on taking full advantage of their athletic scholarship and earning their degree.