When deciding whether to devote more time and energy to sports or academics, Division I male baseball, basketball and football players chose the former. Female players chose the latter.
In an NCAA

survey released this month, football players reported spending the most amount of time on their sport: 44.8 hours per week – the equivalent of a full-time job, and five hours more than they reported dedicating to academic activities. The hours include all activities related to the athlete’s sport, such as travel, training and injury treatment.
Moreover, the majority of all Division I student-athletes, male and female, said they consider themselves athletes first and students second, according to the survey. And more than half of all Division I student-athletes reported athletics as their primary reason for attending their current college. The survey included both males and females in all intercollegiate sports from Divisions I, II and III.
The data add to the long-standing question of whether student-athletes think of school as a place to obtain a degree or as a stepping stone toward professional sports.
Jennie Leander, associate director of Services for Student Athletes, said striking a balance between athletics and academics can be difficult for students, and while some are natural time-managers, others need help laying out their weekly schedules and finding time for both commitments.
“Most student-athletes are here trying to achieve a balance,” said Leander. “On the whole most student-athletes are here to be both students and athletes, and they know ultimately that the student is the most important part because… they’re going to have to have something to fall back on after they graduate from the University.”
SSA is an on-campus resource for student-athletes who need help with school. One of its primary charges is to make sure student-athletes understand and keep up with NCAA eligibility requirements.
While the ultimate goal for most students at a college or university is to obtain a degree, the athletic department expects student-athletes to fully commit to their sport.
“It’s hard for them to balance their time because we’re requiring a lot from them,” said Karen Nelson, assistant director of student services at the athletic department. “But I think time management and what they’re doing on a daily basis… rewards them in the end for their employment.”
Nelson said the athletic department wants athletes to have fun, but as their tuition is being paid for them, “we feel like they do have a responsibility.” She also noted most students feel the time they commit to athletics is necessary.
Indeed, Division I male student-athletes reported if they had more time during the day, they would devote it to their sport rather than schoolwork. Females reported the opposite.
In his annual State of the Association speech, NCAA President Myles Brand, a former University of Oregon president, addressed the issue by stressing to universities the importance of prioritizing education over athletics.
“Those who participate in our athletics events are students, and students first,” Brand said. “They undertake athletics training and competition in support of their education.”
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