The purpose of this investigation was to examine faculty attitudes towards the role of college athletics and the academic competency of student-athletes at a NCAA Division-I Institution. By analyzing faculty attitudes, this study contributes to a better understanding of factors associated with how educators view athletics in higher education and how they develop their attitudes towards student-athletes from an academic perspective. Though prior research indicates quantitatively that faculty possess distinct views of these concepts, there was a gap between measured attitudes and known factors that contribute to these attitudes. By analyzing both quantitative and qualitative results, this investigation advanced the knowledge base of what factors, themes and trends exist in relation to faculty attitudes towards college athletics and the academic competency of student-athletes. Furthermore, by identifying relevant factors, this study may serve future practitioners by helping them hone techniques for successful and perceived change of the college experience for student-athletes in higher education.