[quote name='camoor']If you're a big profitable program then I agree.
However for the smaller schools, I don't believe that spending millions necessarily gets more enrollments (or if it does that the negligible increase is worth it). My pet theory is that it's more about alumni money but when it comes to the small schools I'm also skeptical about that.
I think we are at least pretty close in opinion, I am taking beef with the college sports team fanboys.[/QUOTE]
I can't even tell you how WRONG you are on this. It's not even worth debating.
Anyone here from NC or GA? It's has been PROVEN that the success of the Georgia Southern football (IAA/FCS National Champions 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1999 and 2000) program and the Appalachian State University (FCS National Champions 2005, 2006 and 2007) program have dramatically increased the enrollement in those two programs.
Georgia Southern:
Georgia Southern's athletic teams are known as the Eagles and compete in
NCAA Division I FCS as members of the
Southern Conference. The Eagles compete in baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis, volleyball, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, cross country and track and field.
[41] The football team has won six NCAA Division I-AA national championships (1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1999 and 2000). The university's baseball team has participated in the College World Series twice (1973 and 1990).
[12] The university has two different cheerleading squads, including an All-Girl Squad and the Coed Squad. There are twenty-two women that were chosen for the All-Girl squad and seven men and women consist of the Coed Squad.
[42]
The university offers intramural teams for all varsity level sports, equestrian events, fencing, and judo.
AND
The past 10 years have represented the most significant period of growth in the University’s more than 100-year history. Not only has the University grown in enrollment, but it has also grown in physical size. With a Campus Master Plan in place, the University has continued to expand most recently with the addition of the 1,001-bed residence hall–Centennial Place. In addition, the University completely renovated and significantly expanded the Zach S. Henderson Library.
[10] The institution also recently completed the construction of the Eugene M. Bishop Alumni Center that will serve as a gathering place for alumni and friends of the University.
[11] The Center for Wildlife Education and the Botanical Garden have also been expanded. Today Georgia Southern has more than 20,000 students, more than 2,000 faculty and staff, and 117 programs of study at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels.
Appalachain State:
http://theapp.appstate.edu/content/view/2990/1/
University experiences 25 percent increase in freshman applications
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
by ANNE BAKER
Intern News Reporter
It’s never too early to plan for college.
This phrase seems to be more relevant each year as Appalachian State University sees a steady increase in applications.
As of last Friday, according to the admissions office, freshman applications for admittance to the university beginning fall 2008 totaled 8,218.
This is approximately a 25 percent increase in applications, as around 6,300 had been received last year at this time, Director of Admissions Paul N. Hiatt said.
Some people might attribute the growth rate with the win over the University of Michigan’s football team on Sept. 1, as well as the two consecutive national championships.
Sophomore elementary education major Megan A. Donovant said, “When someone asks you where you go to school and you tell them ASU, the first thing they usually say is that they know where the school is because we won a national championship in football. Without that, I don’t know if as many people would know about the university.”
However, other factors play a large role in the university’s application surge.
“Almost everyone is aware of the Michigan victory…athletics did bring a lot of focus to the university, but it also brought focus to all the other positive things that are happening here,” Hiatt said.