The goal of this study was to determine whether there was a significant relationship between participation in athletic activities and academic achievement. Academic achievement was to be measured by the Mississippi Curriculum Test, Second Edition (MCT2). This study focused on MCT2 scores in mathematics and language arts for 8th grade male and female students who play basketball at the middle school level. The study will also include 8th grade males and females who do not play basketball. This research specifically looked at the difference between students' achievement on MCT2 for the following groups; 1) males and females 2) athletes and non-athletes 3) male athletes and male non-athletes 4) female athletes and female non-athletes. Student achievement was measured using mathematics and language arts MCT2 scores. It should be noted that any initial differences existing between the students' achievement was controlled for at grade seven using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). [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.]