Division II and the Academic Clustering Phenomenon: A Widespread Analysis

• In Event: Examining Aspects of College Student Athletes

Abstract

Academic clustering occurs when student-athletes are overrepresented into academic majors. More specifically, clustering occurs when at least one-fourth (25%) of a team roster shares the same declared academic major. Research indicates clustering is a widespread phenomenon within the Division I student-athlete experience. However, there continues to be a dearth of research on if and how the phenomenon impacts lower-level NCAA divisions. Guided by Astin’s I-E-O model, this study examined the degree of which clustering occurs among Division II athletics, as well as factors (i.e., gender, sport profile, institutional size) that might influence the phenomeon’s occurrence. In addition to descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests of independence were performed using SPSS to analyze if there are relationships between academic clustering and independent variables.

Authors

• Jesse Brock, University of West Georgia

• Don Beach, Tarleton State University

• Ryan Glaman, Tarleton State University