An Analysis of the Academic Behaviors and Beliefs of Division I Student-Athletes: The Impact of the Increased Percentage Toward Degree Requirements

The purpose of the present study was to assess the academic decision making beliefs of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Championship Series (FBS) student-athletes and to determine if the variables of gender and type of sport related to academic decision making behavior of student-athletes. Participants included 1027 NCAA Division I FBS student-athletes participating in a large Midwestern athletic conference. The findings of the study showed that most student-athletes choose majors based on their interests. Results also revealed that some student-athletes choose majors based on athletic eligibility purposes. Gender and type of sport were shown to be related to the academic decision making behaviors of college student-athletes.