Several weeks ago AP sports writer Paul Newberry penned an article published in the Daily Camera entitled, “College Athletes Cluster to Same Majors.” The AP research looked at the majors declared by football players at 68 universities which had received automatic bids to the Bowl Championship Series. In short, Newberry indicated that football players favored majors in general studies and management.
It is common for groups of select students with similar interests to declare similar majors. For example members of the marching band are more likely to be music majors and members of certain sororities are likely to have a high concentration of students in business or communications.
In this case, clustering, as it is called occurs because football players seek majors that complement their practice and travel schedules. In many cases these majors may be less rigorous and require less time in the library. (Note: all research studies are careful not to refer to these as Mickey Mouse majors).
The AP study looked at sophomores, juniors, and seniors and did not include players who had not declared a major. Information was tallied from university media guides or websites, and information provided by the schools. The study found that clustering was prevalent at 39 of the 68 schools. The leaders in clustering are:
- Georgia Tech Management 43 players
- Cincinnati Criminal Justice 40 players
- Vanderbilt Human/Organizational Development 35 players
- Wake Forest Communications 34 players
- Mississippi State Kinesiology 30 players
- LSU Sports Administration 28 players
- UCLA History 27 players
- Baylor General Studies 27 players
- Kansas Business 25 players
- Iowa Interdepartmental Studies 21 players
- Boston College Communications 21 players
- Clemson Sociology 20 players
A review of other commentary on the topic shows the following:
- Clustering is a common trend, more prevalent since the NCAA instituted the Academic Progress Rate. The APR was a mandate intended to force schools to have their athletes take classes that led to a degree that would lead to employment upon graduation.
- Clustering varies between sports and schools.
- Because school scan lose scholarships if APR numbers are not met, it is believed that counselors push athletes into less rigorous degrees.
- It seems logical for athletic programs to recruit players to majors where players have had success in the past and it seems logical for athletic programs to promote those academic disciplines.
- The NCAA claims that the APR program has increased graduation. While it is important for students and athletes to graduate, it is more important for them to receive an education that increases their chances of being hired.
- The NCAA has conducted research that shows that about 80% of athletes are content with their majors.
Newberry’s research and the research of others illustrates how closely college athletic programs are being monitored in all aspects of their business.
Is clustering a problem? Probably not. Does clustering benefit the athletes? Possibly.