Ronald (Buster Keaton) and his sweetheart Mary Haynes (Anne Cornwall) have much in common. They both love school and are great students. During high school graduation, Ronald gives a speech and is focusing on the evil of sports and how sports are causing students to do poorly in school. As they go off to college, Mary begins to fall for Jeff Brown (Harold Goodwin). Jeff is the most highly regarded jock in the entire college. Fearing he is losing Mary, Ronald begins to explore his own athletic ability. Although he is a dismal failure at every sport he tries, Mary is flattered that Ronald would go to such lengths to win her heart. Who is going to end up with the girl?