The purpose of this study was to assess gender differences in methods of coping with perceived stress; there was a special focus on the use of aggression. Participants were 298 health, physical education and recreation (HPER) majors enrolled in a mid-size university, ten percent of the students were asked to complete an additional survey assessing types of activities they perceived as aggressive and their use of aggression as a coping strategy. Data were gathered via a survey instrument that included items from the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), and new items that were created to assess perceived stress levels and stress coping activities. Of 314 possible subjects, 298 surveys were completed correctly. Responses were anonymous and voluntary. Of the 298 respondents 37.2% were male and 62.8% females. Approximately, 72.8% were White/Non-Hispanic, 20.1% Hispanic, 3.7% Black-American, and 3.4% other. On the 1-5 Likert scale for perceived stress items, 1 being "very stressed" and 5 being "no stress at all". The mean perceived stress level score for males was 2.54 and females 2.11. One interesting result is 30% of the total participants indicated the use of aggression as a stress coping strategy. Of those participants 50% indicated they sometimes used aggression to manage their stress and 43% indicated they had taken their anger out on others. Aggressive behaviors used by the participants included items assessing "road rage", 27% had banged on the steering wheel in anger and 57% had yelled at the other driver. However, 86% indicated their perception that the use of alcohol or drugs contributes to the use of aggression when under stress. These results are important in understanding HPER students' methods of coping with stress so that prevention methods can be developed which address positive coping strategies and reduce the use of aggression and other negative strategies used by college students.