Location
Northwestern College, Rowenhorst Student Center
Abstract
In this paper, we study the impact of athletics on academic performance at Northwestern College. Using data from 2006-08 and 2013-17, we show average ACT score for athletes is lower compared to non-athletes. Additionally, athletes typically earn lower GPAs in their first year, even after controlling for past academic performance. This negative relationship between athletics and first-year GPA is most prevalent among students entering college with a low composite ACT score. The data show mandatory meetings with coaches for struggling students do not have a statistically significant impact on average team GPA, but this requirement may have a positive impact on incoming students with lower ACT composite scores. On the other hand, the data shows required tutor sessions have a positive and sizable impact on average team GPA, but incoming students with lower ACT composite scores do not seem to benefit much overall from that intervention.
Included in
Impact of Athletics on Academic Performance at NWC
Northwestern College, Rowenhorst Student Center
In this paper, we study the impact of athletics on academic performance at Northwestern College. Using data from 2006-08 and 2013-17, we show average ACT score for athletes is lower compared to non-athletes. Additionally, athletes typically earn lower GPAs in their first year, even after controlling for past academic performance. This negative relationship between athletics and first-year GPA is most prevalent among students entering college with a low composite ACT score. The data show mandatory meetings with coaches for struggling students do not have a statistically significant impact on average team GPA, but this requirement may have a positive impact on incoming students with lower ACT composite scores. On the other hand, the data shows required tutor sessions have a positive and sizable impact on average team GPA, but incoming students with lower ACT composite scores do not seem to benefit much overall from that intervention.