The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that contributed to the persistence of first-time full-time student athletes at a small private college affiliated with National Association Intercollegiate Athletics. The study used focus groups to determine the factors related to the persistence of student athletes. The participants in the focus groups included 42 first-time full-time student athletes who persisted to the fall of the second year, six faculty members, and 20 staff members from the selected institution. The student athletes represented 15 different sports teams sponsored by the institution. Faculty chosen for the study either taught first year courses or advised first-time full-time student athletes. Staff represented all areas of the college and had significant contact with first-time full-time student athletes. The study was a qualitative study with a case study format. The four themes that emerged from the student athlete focus groups were opportunity to play their sport, individual attention, social connectedness and financial/ability to pay. These themes are concurrent with Bean's factors of institutional fit, financial/ability to pay and social integration. The themes from the faculty staff focus groups were influence or relationship with coach, financial aid packages and support from faculty and staff. These themes correlate with Bean's factors of institutional fit, financial/ability to pay and academic integration. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]