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Athletics and Alumni Giving

Author

Listed:
  • Jessica A. Holmes

    (Middlebury College)

  • James A. Meditz

    (Middlebury College)

  • Paul M. Sommers

    (Middlebury College)

Abstract

Using data on annual giving (between 1990 and 2004) for more than 22,000 active alumni from a highly selective liberal arts college, the authors employ a probit framework to analyze the likelihood of giving and a tobit framework to analyze the determinants of alumni generosity. Both the micro-level analysis and the statistical methodology allow the authors to test for differential impacts (by gender, age, or undergraduate involvement) of sports participation or a winning season on the propensity to give as well as on the generosity of alumni contributions. The results indicate that athletes are more likely to give and that they are more generous than their nonathlete counterparts, especially younger alumni who participated in one of the college's historically most successful high-profile sports. A winning season in this particular sports program also leads to greater alumni giving and more generous gifts.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica A. Holmes & James A. Meditz & Paul M. Sommers, 2008. "Athletics and Alumni Giving," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 9(5), pages 538-552, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:jospec:v:9:y:2008:i:5:p:538-552
    DOI: 10.1177/1527002507313896
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Monks, James, 2003. "Patterns of giving to one's alma mater among young graduates from selective institutions," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(2), pages 121-130, April.
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    3. Wunnava, Phanindra V. & Lauze, Michael A., 2001. "Alumni giving at a small liberal arts college: evidence from consistent and occasional donors," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(6), pages 533-543, December.
    4. Marr, Kelly A. & Mullin, Charles H. & Siegfried, John J., 2005. "Undergraduate financial aid and subsequent alumni giving behavior," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 123-143, February.
    5. Thomas H. Bruggink & Kamran Siddiqui, 1995. "An Econometric Model of Alumni Giving: A Case Study for a Liberal Arts College," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 39(2), pages 53-60, October.
    6. Clotfelter, C. T., 2003. "Alumni giving to elite private colleges and universities," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(2), pages 109-120, April.
    7. Sarah E. Turner & Lauren A. Meserve & William G. Bowen, 2001. "Winning and Giving: Football Results and Alumni Giving at Selective Private Colleges and Universities," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 82(4), pages 812-826, December.
    8. C. R. Belfield & A. P. Beney, 2000. "What Determines Alumni Generosity? Evidence for the UK," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(1), pages 65-80.
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    Cited by:

    1. Malcolm Getz & John Siegfried, 2010. "What Does Intercollegiate Athletics Do To or For Colleges and Universities?," Vanderbilt University Department of Economics Working Papers 1005, Vanderbilt University Department of Economics.
    2. Steven Bednar & Dora Gicheva, 2018. "Career Implications of Having a Female-Friendly Supervisor," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 71(2), pages 426-457, March.
    3. Daniel R. Marburger, 2015. "How Are Athletic Directors Rewarded in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision?," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 16(3), pages 254-267, April.

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