News
College Athletics and Graduation
CHAPEL HILL— In a few short months, thousands of college football players will put on their helmets and pads and begin final preparations for the season. College sports are a central aspect of life at many colleges and universities. Administrators hope for strong athletic success in marquee sports to reach out to prospective students. Still, those who participate in college sports are supposed be students first, athletes second. That issue has been placed under the microscope recently by the NCAA in its attempt to increase graduation rates. A 2003 report indicates that 62 percent of student-athletes graduated within six years of entering school.