This study focused on student athletes' perceptions of sport and education. The following research question was used to establish a framework for this thesis: Is there a significant difference in athletes' perceptions of sport and education between 4A varsity basketball players and midget AAA hockey players in Alberta? The independent variable was the sport category (hockey or basketball) and the dependent variable was the athletes'responses to the survey. A self-developed survey instrument entitled Sport and Education Survey (ESS) was utilized to gather information. The survey drew upon thirteen statements that were grouped according to their relevance to each hypothesis. Five additional statements were included for the purpose of categorization, description and discussion. The survey was administered to a sample of 158 males who played either hockey or basketball and were currently in grades 10, 11 or 12. An approximate equal representation was reached by surveying four hockey teams and eight basketball teams. Three hypotheses were examined and tested: H1) There is a significant difference in perceptions of education between 4A varsity basketball players and midget AAA hockey players in Alberta. H2) There is a significant difference in perceptions of sport between 4A varsity basketball players and midget AAA hockey players in Alberta. H3) There is a significant difference in perceptions of post-secondary education between 4A varsity basketball players and midget AAA hockey players in Alberta. Testing the hypotheses required the used of the Chi-square test in cross tabulations. H1 and H3 are rejected: the findings indicate that both groups are concerned about their performance in education and they plah to attend post-secondary education. H2 is supported: 76.3% of hockey players at the midget AAA level were planning to become professional athletes, while only 35.4% of 4A basketball players were planning to become professional athletes. Upon high school graduation most midget AAA hockey players' choose to apprentice in the junior hockey ranks in hopes of becoming a professional athlete or to receive an athletic scholarship. Whereas the priority most 4A basketball players is to immediately attend college or university on a failure basis with or without an athletic scholarship. / x, 85 leaves ; 29 cm.