This study examined the role of athletic participation in the social system of adolescent males and females. Social status was measured by criteria for remembrance after high school, type of sport participant preferred for a date or friend, and self-esteem. The sample consisted of 422 high school and 319 college students. There were significant differences between and among males and females on all three social status measures. Participants who were identified with sex-appropriate sports received greater social status than did participants in sex-inappropriate sports.