A recent study completed by the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports reported that female athletes graduate from college at higher rates than male athletes, but several Boston University coaches say the results are specific to basketball and football, and do not necessarily apply to BU’s athletes.
The study, which looked at the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament teams, reported that of 63 women’s teams, 50 percent graduated their athletes, while only 41 percent of the 64 men’s teams graduated theirs.
The study also reported that basketball is the sport with the largest desparity between the sexes-66 percent of male basketball players graduate in comparison to 88 percent of female basketball players.
Student athletes and athletic faculty said the discrepancy between male and female students is rooted in high funding for more popular sports, such as men’s football – although not applicable to BU, which lacks a football team – and men’s basketball.
“Because they offer stronger professional opportunities, [they] decrease motivation toward academics,” women’s soccer coach Nancy Feldman said.
Athletic Director Mike Lynch said that the study is lopsided with a focus on basketball, while, for many sports, graduation rates are much closer.
“The study tends to focus in on basketball rates,” he said. “Other sports’ graduation rates are much closer.”
Women’s rowing team member Jeannette Daley said one of the reasons women’s graduation rates are higher is because in men’s sports, athletes often go into professional sports quicker.
“Men seem to leave school early to go play professional sports,” the SED freshman said. “I think that because there isn’t as much emphasis on women’s professional leagues, women are more likely to finish school before playing a professional sport.”
Because BU is not a prominent basketball school, and because it does not have a football team, coaches say they do not feel the statistics really affect BU’s student-athletes.
Feldman said men and women are often equally serious about the sports they play, but men may feel less inclined toward academics if they are hopeful about a professional career in their sport.
“Female athletes tend to plan a little more about what’s happens after the days of playing sports are over,” she said. “In general, the student athletes in women’s soccer take their academics and getting a great education very seriously.”
Daley said although sports play a major part in student athletes’ lives, education is still important.
“There has to be some incentive in an education,” she said. “Otherwise, people would just try to go pro immediately.”
Feldman said her athletes tend not to choose between academics and soccer, but they do both with extreme commitment.
“[They] take time from their social life,” she said. “They have the same mentality about soccer as school. One isn’t separate from the other.”
Women’s rowing team member Amanda Milborne said athletics help her with her academic studies.
“Personally, I think that being an athlete helps me with my own time management and to prioritize and get work done,” the College of Communication freshman said.
Student athletes are encouraged scholastically through student-athletes support services, tutors and academic help centers, which encourage students to manage their time between playing sports and doing work.
“As athletes, we have to maintain a certain GPA to stay eligible, or else we are unable to compete,” Milborne said. “If we are struggling in a subject, the Athletic Department facilitates tutors, and there are a lot of steps in place to make sure that you stay eligible and succeed.”
Feldman said in addition to eligibility requirements based on grade point average, students also have to complete certain courses and stay on a specific course track in order to participate with their sports team.
“Boston University athletes have a 92 percent graduation rate, which is about 15 percent higher than the nation averages,” Lynch said. “The Boston University program promotes success in class first and athletics second. They do both of these things really well.”