Examining the Economic Value of Collegiate Club Sports to the University

Abstract

To measure the contribution of collegiate club sports to the economic and social environment of higher education institutions, this case study developed a pragmatic model—integrating self-generated revenue, stimulated student spending, student attraction, and student retention—to quantify the economic value or worth of club sports to the university, and to consider their broader utility for the attainment of the university's mission. For the university studied, results show that undergraduate club sport athletes render approximately $21.7 million in institutional expenditure annually, and club sports can serve the university mission through their contribution to student recruitment, retention, and recommendation. Over 50% of participants credited their enrollment, continued attendance, and willingness to recommend the university to the availability of club sports. Student retention was more positive for participants in club sports than for the university population as a whole. Additionally, international students and students living off-campus viewed club sports as particularly positive.