There is the question of whether or not being a varsity athlete affects a student’s high school education and developmental experiences.  Quantitative research, based on functionalist theory, compares the characteristics of varsity athletes to non-athletes.  Qualitative research, based on interactionist theory, examine the relationships between interscholastic sports, school culture, and the lifestyle of high school students. The research shows that varsity athletes collectively have a higher grade-point-average than the non-athlete students and also enjoyed the school experience better, wanting to attend college in the future more so.

The athletes were also seen as having better health and success in life.  However, research cannot definitely state if soley being a varsity athlete leads to these things.  Studies have shown that varsity athletes “are more likely to come from economically privileged backgrounds and have above-average cognitive abilities, self-esteem, and past academic performance records, including grades and test scores” (Coakley, 486).  This statement implies that factors prior to being an athlete leads to success.  However, there really is no way to make a definite conclusion on the effects of plays high school sports without putting the specifics of sport participation into context.

High schools promote sports as social events of large importance.  The degree to which these sports effect social and cultural structure of school life is very influential.  Surveys done on schools have shown that there is tension between athletes and non-athletes and that athletes mistreat nonathletes.  “Research suggests that the most important social consequences of interscholastic sports may be their effects on ideas about social life and social relations in society as a whole…” (Coakley, 492).

Studies indicate that playing a high school sport can deter the student from developing proper morals and responsibilities.  This idea supports claims that varsity athletes feel sport is the only important aspect in their life and that they think they deserve special treatment despite doing poorly in school and breaking rules.  This supports the critics’ view that high school sports are academically and developmentally costly to varsity athletes.