PLAY OR NO PLAY- IMPLICATIONS FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES’ ACADEMIC SUCCESS

African American males are not graduating high school at high rates; of if graduating, mostly on a Minimum Academic Plan. This longitudinal quantitative research, investigated archival data over a 5-year time period from an economically disadvantaged high school in southwest, United States, referred to in this study as Oak Park High School in the school district referred to as the Hammond Independent School. Specifically addressed were the graduation rates and graduation plans of African American males who attended Oak Park High School for at least two years and who either participated in or did not participate in University Interscholastic League (UIL) activities. Statistical analyses revealed that African American males who participated in UIL activities graduated at 85.9% rate oppose to African American males who did not participate in UIL activities at 51% rate. African American males who participated in UIL activities were more likely to graduate on a Recommended Plan 10% higher than their counterparts who did not participate in such activities. This is important, because graduates on the Recommended Academic Plan have an opportunity to attend a four year university, as opposed to Minimum Academic Plan graduates who are limited to only applying for admissions at a community college or junior college.Educational Leadership and Cultural Studies, Department o