While the effects of Title IX are well documented, a detailed analysis of secondary schools' population characteristics (e.g., rural vs. urban school location, ethnicity) have not been investigated extensively. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the interrelationships of gender, ethnicity, and student demographics in relation to participants' athletic participation (i.e., intramural and/or interscholastic) during high school. Participants of the present investigation were compiled from the National Longitudinal Educational Study which collected data from approximately 25,000 students at 1,052 secondary schools nationwide. NELS data collections occurred while participants were enrolled in 8th grade, 10th grade, 12th grade, and during post secondary time periods, respectively. Specific research hypothesis concerning participants' demography, ethnicity, school location (i.e., rural, suburban, or urban), and academic performance (i.e., Reading/Math composite score) were analyzed with respect to athletic participation in the 10th and/or 12th- grades. Results indicated males participated in athletics at a much higher percentage than females. Approximately sixty percent (i.e., 60%) of the data subset who reported athletic participation during 10th- and 12th- grades were males. Females who participated in athletics comprised approximately forty percent (i.e., 40%) of the sample in both 10th- and 12th- grades. No change in Athletic Participation X Gender over the four years was determined. Nationwide, athletic participation matched the sampling percentages for ethnicity. In the Southern region, males represented a larger than average distribution of athletes who participated in athletics. African American males were over-represented in the South. Hispanics females had the lowest athletic participation rates nationwide. Results for Athletic Participation X School Location analyses indicated African American males and females were more likely to participate in athletics at schools located in urban areas (i.e., male = 45.9% and female = 51%). Hispanic males and females were also more likely to participate in athletics in schools located in urban areas (i.e., male = 45.7% and female = 44.2%). Additionally, Caucasians were more likely to participate in schools located in suburban areas (i.e., male = 46.3% and female = 44.0%). Athletic Participation X Academic Performance analyses indicated females achieved significantly higher academic performance scores in comparisons to males who participated in athletics during the 10th- and/or 12th- grades. Further research is necessary to determine why people choose to participate in athletics while enrolled in secondary school systems across the United States.Keyword(s): gender issues, high school issues, sport management