Ninth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

In an effort to boost enrollment, small colleges and universities in the United States use sports programs as a recruiting strategy. While most scholarly attention focuses on issues associated with “big-time” intercollegiate athletics, less emphasis is given to similar efforts at smaller institutions. This case study examines the results of adding an intercollegiate football program at a small university (1500 students) by evaluating program impact on campus and community culture, athletic facilities, and institutional finance. The presenter chaired the review committee tasked with determining the feasibility of adding the sport, and authored the final feasibility report.