NCAA Athletics: To Change Divisions or Not?

    

 

 

     America is infatuated with sports at the college level, and the amount of revenue generated is astounding. Where does this money go? Enormous athletic operating costs at each level of NCAA competition are at the forefront of an institutions’ decision which division to pursue. Robinson, Peterson, Tedrick, & Carpenter (1) record “The average operating budget of a Division I-A athletic department is $17,297,000…Division II athletic program with football is $1,635,000…Division III institution with football is $772,000” (pg. 46-47). Some universities view these numbers as a financial burden on the overall budget. Therefore they decide to remain at the same division, or to seek a smaller division to focus on academics.



     Numerous universities view this phenomenon as an opportunity. Sweitzer (2) notes on the University of South Florida’s move to the Big East, “These are universities that will be solid university partners over the next decades, and I believe our affiliation with them will advance our brand as a national research university. Academically and athletically, it’s strategic positioning.” (pg. 61). Ultimately, the glamour of big time money-making universities through athletic programs will lure better athletes and a higher number of students as well.

 

 

References

(1) Robinson, M.J., Peterson, M., Tedrick, T., & Carpenter, J.R. (2003). Job satisfaction on NCAA Division III athletic directors: Impact of job design and time on task. International Sports Journal, 7(2), 46-56.

(2) Sweitzer, K.V. (2009). Institutional ambitions and athletic conference affiliation. New Directions for Higher Education, 148, 55-63. DOI: 10.1002/he.368