An analysis of youth participation in athletics

School athletics has a significant impact on the development of youth. This study is an exploration of the differences between youth who participate in school athletics and those who do not. Specifically, the study examined youth academic performance and behavior referrals, and variables such as grade level, age, gender, and ethnicity. In addition, the study examined whether or not there was a relationship between participation in the school’s free or reduced lunch program and athletic participation. To determine the differences and relationships of youth that participate in school athletics and those who do not participate, an existing dataset of 4,078 students was used from a mid-sized Midwestern school district. The data was provided from a local nonprofit organization that gathers data from the school district and offers the data to other nonprofit organizations to measure participant outcomes. The study found that there was a significant difference between youth who participate in school athletics and those who do not based on academic performance (GPA), behavior referrals, age and grade level. The study found that there was a significant relationship between youth who participate in school athletics and those who do not based on participation in the school’s free or reduced lunch program and their ethnicity. There was no significant relationship between youth who participate in school athletics and those who do not based on gender. The results suggest that youth should be actively involved with school athletics because the findings have demonstrated to have a significant impact on the study participant’s GPA and behavior. A reason that this may occur is athletes may be held to a higher standard by their coaches because if they do not achieve a certain grade or they are misbehaving, then they may not be able to participate in athletics. AN ANALYSIS OF YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN ATHLETICS A Thesis Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts Jonathan Wayne Klein University of Northern Iowa May 2017