An Examination of the Nature and Scope of Academic Clustering in College Athletic ProgramsIn 1987, the term "academic clustering" was coined to explain the grouping or "clustering" of a disproportionate number of college athletes into academic majors when compared to the general student population (Case, Greer, Brown, 1987). In recent years, academic clustering of college athletes has received renewed attention as evidenced by research activities (Calhoun, 2012; Fountain & Finley, 2009; Liebengood, 2008; McCormick, 2010) and media attention (Kane, 2014). Although previous studies attempted to confirm the existence of academic clustering in college athletic programs, limited attention has been directed at explaining the practice of clustering and reasons for its existence. The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature and scope of academic clustering in college athletic programs, in general, and to analyze the causes and possible solutions to academic clustering specifically. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR