<p>^I agree. Athletes tend to socialize with each other because they know each other and spend a lot of time together. It’s not really any different than the theatre kids or math majors associating together because they have a lot in common. I think you’re under a false impression (although it’s pretty common): athletes who don’t really have the grades or intelligence to succeed at a top school usually don’t go to a top school. Some of the most fantastic athletes I know went to moderate DI schools because those schools had better programs and gave them more money.</p>
<p>You may find this with football and basketball players because those sports generate revenue, but in general, most other athletes who go to Stanford, Duke, Northwestern, etc. are qualified students as well who just happened to have an edge since they were recruited.</p>