Tyler Reporter

In 2022, 7.2% of Smith County students played sports on collegiate teams, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

The county’s universities were represented by 478 men and 283 women who played for one or more sports teams in 2022. This does not include students playing intramural sports.

The largest number of students per institution in Smith County (273) played for The University of Texas at Tyler during this period.

Smith County paid a total of $3,434,915 in athletically-related financial aid during 2022.

Data shows that football was the most popular sport played, followed by soccer, and baseball.

Students who play sports often have higher graduation rates than non-athletes. More female than male athletes graduate.

The average institutional gift aid for student-athletes is $17,000, with 80% of them receive some kind of academic grant or need-based scholarship.

Institution	Total Enrollment	Student-athletes Enrollment	Student-athletes ratio
The University of Texas at Tyler	4,729	273	17.3
Tyler Junior College	5,115	270	18.9
Texas College	671	218	3.1