BOONE, N.C. — Does a university’s athletic scandal impact its enrollment? Yes, according to a working paper by Appalachian State University faculty released in April.

The paper, titled “Universities Behaving Badly: The Impact of Athletic Malfeasance on Student Applications and Enrollment,” shows a connection between postseason men’s basketball tournament bans and lowered quantity and quality of both male and female students enrolling at that university.

A postseason tournament ban lowers male applications by up to 17 percent and females by up to 18 percent, according to the study conducted by Appalachian’s Austin F. Eggers, J.D., Peter A. Groothuis, Ph.D., and senior Parker Redding, all in the Walker College of Business, with colleagues at Seton Hall University.

An athletics program serves as “the front porch of a university,” the authors wrote, and “impropriety serves as signal to prospective students regarding the overall quality” of that university.

“Our results show that malfeasance in college athletics not only negatively affects the sports team, but can also have significant effects on non-athlete students and the university as a whole. If collegiate athletics departments abuse NCAA basketball regulations, the result can be a decrease in more academically achieving students attending the university,” the authors wrote.

Eggers is an executive-in-residence in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance. Groothuis is a professor in the Department of Economics. Redding is an economics major from Ronda. The research in the paper was funded by Appalachian’s Lee Barnes Benefaction for Learning Enhancement and Enrichment Fund, named for the Walker College alumnus and Board of Trustees member.

The working paper is gaining national news media attention:

Higher education must clean out its ‘front porch’

Washington Post

April 25, 2018

A working paper released by economists at Appalachian State University and Seton Hall University found that an athletics scandal at an individual university—as measured by NCAA postseason tournament bans of men’s basketball teams—“lowers both the quantity and quality” of the students who enroll.

Read the story

How athletic scandals can tarnish a college — and turn off potential students

A new study explores the relationship between college basketball scandals and admissions

MarketWatch

April 26, 2018

When a school’s men’s basketball team is banned from post-season play by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the number and quality of its applicants suffers, a new working paper from researchers at Appalachian State University and Seton Hall University suggests.

Read the story

One Major Sports Scandal Can Tank a University’s Applications

The Chronicle of Higher Education

April 19, 2018

A new data analysis by researchers at Appalachian State University and Seton Hall University finds that the ramifications of athletic scandals are typically wide-reaching, affecting both the quantity and quality of applications and enrollment.

Read the story

About the Walker College of Business

The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact their communities, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling more than 4,000 undergraduates in 11 majors, Walker College has the highest enrollment of full-time undergraduate students in the University of North Carolina System, and more than 250 graduate students are enrolled in the college’s three master’s programs. App State’s Walker College is accredited by AACSB International — the premier global accrediting body for business schools. Learn more at https://business.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

Student Research in the Walker College

Given the speed by which the world changes, students must develop the ability to constantly adapt. While the traditional classroom setting plays an important role, it must be complemented with a diversity of other approaches that more fully develop students' adaptive capabilities and enhance readiness for an ever-changing world. To reach this goal, the Walker College supports project-based applied research and learning opportunities through partnerships with external entities, encourages research collaboration across departments, campus and other institutions, and promotes student involvement in faculty-led research.

Learn more

Walker College alumnus has pledged $300,000 to establish the Lee Barnes Benefaction for Learning Enhancement and Enrichment Fund

Walker College alumnus Lee Barnes has pledged $300,000 to establish the Lee Barnes Benefaction for Learning Enhancement and Enrichment, which will continue support for the Barnes Scholars Program, the premiere scholarship for Walker College of Business students.

The Barnes Scholars Program was established by Barnes and his wife, Christy, in 2012, and this recent pledge will extend the program for years to come. The gift will also serve to further student and faculty research endeavors in the college through grant program offerings.

Learn more

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.