FACT: Winning in College Sports Does Not Lead to….

Fun fact of the day from College Sports 101. It is commonly assumed that a winning athletic program, particularly in big-time “revenue” sports, leads to institutional benefits—such as increased number and quality of student applications and alumni donations. To win, athletics departments argue that increased spending is needed to compete the in the college “arms race”.  Research indicates that increased spending does not lead to an increase in the “W” column, and that winning has no institutional benefit as is commonly believed. If any benefit is to be accrued is it likely short-lived and not significant.