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Private Universities and NCAA D-III Athletics as a General Recruiting Tool

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  • Jonathan Willner

    (Oklahoma City University)

Abstract

Most economic research on university athletics programs examines National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I universities with some consideration of universities in Division II. Division III universities are very different than Division I, consequently that which holds for athletics might be different. In this paper the relationship between athletics and the number of applications received per existing student is examined using a balanced panel of private Division-III universities from 2003 to 2014. Controlling for numerous common recruiting variables, the results indicate that a larger share of athletes on campus is positively associated with more applications per existing full time equivalent undergraduate students. The presence of football, a large, almost exclusively male set of athletes, is neutral in its relationship with total applications, though positive for male and negative for female applicants. Among Division-III universities with football programs, winning football programs have a neutral effecton applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Willner, 2019. "Private Universities and NCAA D-III Athletics as a General Recruiting Tool," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 25(3), pages 293-307, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:iaecre:v:25:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s11294-019-09745-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11294-019-09745-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    University; Sports; Football; Applications;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Z2 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics
    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education

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