Values Of Interscholastic Athletics
High school athletes have higher grades and lower dropout rates and attend college more often than non-athletes. (Women’s Sports Foundation survey)
Student-athletes have a higher grade point average (2.84) than non-athletes (2.68) and are absent from school fewer days per year. (Minnesota High School Athletic Association)
Over a five-year period, students who did not participate in sports accumulated a collective 2.39 grade point average. Those who participated in one sport averaged a 2.61. Those who participated in two sports averaged a 2.82. (Iowa High School Athletic Association)
Students who participate in athletics missed an average of 4.9 days of school per year, including 0.7 days for athletic contests. Non-participants missed an average of 10.8 school days per year. (North Dakota High School Athletic Association)
Grade point average of athletes improve the overall grade point average of the student population in-season as well as out-of-season. (South Bend, Indiana School District)
96% of dropouts in 14 school districts in seven regions of the nation were not participating in an athletic program. (National Federation of State High School Associations)
University of Chicago research suggests:
- By a 2-to-1 margin for males and a 3-to-1 margin for females, student-athletes do better in school, do not drop out, and have a better chance to graduate from college.
- Student-athletes’ parents are more involved with their educational process.
- Student-athletes demonstrate a higher level of self-confidence than non-athletes.
- 92% of student-athletes do not use drugs.
95% of high school principals nationwide believe activities programs contribute to the development of “school spirit” among the student body. (Indiana University study)
Nearly seven out of ten Americans say high school sports teach students lessons about life that they can’t learn in a classroom. Nine out of ten believe high school sports contribute to the health and fitness of participants. (USA Today)
Successful extracurricular participation is a school’s best predictor of adult success. (“Fulfilling Lives – Paths to Maturity and Success” by Douglas Heath)
95% of Fortune 500 executives participated in high school athletics. 47% of Fortune 500 executives were National Honor Society members. (Fortune Magazine)
Statistics provided by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.
