The primary purpose of the study was to estimate a retention model that predicted graduation and college grade point averages for scholarship football players. Several nontraditional factors, such as each player’s career maturity, their use of academic support services, and institutional characteristics were included in the model. Astin’s Involvement Theory, Spady’s Dropout Prediction Model, and Tinto’s Integration Theory served as anchors for the study. The assigned respondent from each athletic department of the nine institutions of the Atlantic Coast Conference provided the data for the study. Each respondent completed a survey that asked for information concerning the individual players and their institutions. A total of 216 football players were included in the study. The information provided by the institutions was used to quantify ten independent variables that were hypothesized to influence retention. Eight of these variables pertained to characteristics of the individual football players; the other two variables were specific to the institutions. Path analysis was used to estimate the retention model. The results indicated that of the four endogenous variables questioned, mature career attitude, use of academic support services, and atmosphere toward academics had a significant affect on retention. In the reduced model, mature career attitude was the strongest predictor of graduation, with use of academic support services second. Mature career attitude was also the strongest predictor of college grade point average. From the research findings several recommendations are made. It is suggested that athletic departments develop or identify an assessment test that measures career maturity and administer it to the football recruits. A specific counseling program should be established to assist those players who lack career maturity. It is also suggested that the Atlantic Coast Conference prepare a videofilm to address the career maturity issue. This video would include a discussion of the percentage of college players who successfully enter the professional ranks and interviews with college stars who were unsuccessful in pursuing a professional football career. Another recommendation is for each institution to require every player to actively participate in the academic support program. It is of utmost importance that the institutions send a strong message to the players that the main function of the university is for every student to successfully fulfill degree requirements. / Ph. D.