It’s kind of a catch-22—sports programs keep students attracted and engaged, and they also keep alumni engaged (and donating).
So killing sports programs may end up losing money, but keeping them going is nearly always guaranteed to lose money too.
5 Likes
But instituting sports programs as a means of boosting enrollment is not a wise move from a financial standpoint.
1 Like
It’s interesting - in times of budget issue, N Dakota State and Sacramento State are paying millions to move up from FCS to Division 1. Many Millions….. financially, given they are small football schools/markets, how can that make sense?
But apparently it does.
I think moving up can bring more money. Starting from scratch does not.
1 Like
But where do you find that start up money? It’s not chump change. And they’re joining the MAC - not the Big 10 and football only (which is likely a save) - but the MAC is Kent State, E Michigan, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, etc. We’re not talking a hotbed of football 
But yep, it must work or they wouldn’t do it. I guess they’ve got $23 mil sitting around.
From ESPN:
The cost of entrance is expected to be $18 million, sources said, and a deal is expected to be announced in the upcoming days. All in, the total cost of entry is expected to be $23 million, as Sacramento State would also need to pay $5 million to the NCAA to move up.
2 Likes
It is a wise move from a financial standpoint, if and only if it simultaneously improves the tuition income:expense ratio.
For too many colleges that are trying it (including Lourdes), instituting/increasing sports results in increased enrollment but not increased net tuition revenue.
3 Likes
We will never know the details of the decision. All we can do is hope the financial folks at the college did a thorough and honest evaluation of the athletic situation.
3 Likes
You gotta catch that MACtion Fever!!!
Then you will understand.
3 Likes
I get it - Ohio U has had some good teams. But $23 mil and MAC don’t work for me. But obviously for a California team playing in a coference 1800 miles away, it’s fine.
“They are scheduled to move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as a member of the Mountain West Conference starting in 2026.”
NOT the MAC. Not 1800 miles from N Dakota to Montana, Idaho, Colorado state, wyoming…
N Dakota State is currently FCS (divisions 1) and moving to FBS (still division 1). N Dakota State has won 10 championships in FCS in the last 15 years so maybe want more challenge? But probably better money.
I was at the game in Boulder a few years ago when NDSU played CU. CU won, but it was closer than you’d think, or than CU wanted, at 31-28. They are good. The stands had many North Dakota fans there. Also, they make a lot of money by playing away game, especially if they are giving up a home game to play away, so maybe they are making up some of that $23M in away game revenue, TV contracts, splitting bowl game revenue in the FBS.
Some of the other sports may have been already playing in other conferences so there may be no change. It is not unusual for the smaller schools to play football and basketball in one conference but other things like hockey (especially hockey), gymnastics, skiing, swimming in others.
3 Likes
Sacto State is going to the MAC - that’s what I was referencing. NDSU is going to the MWC.
Sources: MAC to add Sacramento State as football-only member - ESPN
1 Like
NDSU is also in an interesting position as they are not in what is considered to be a traditional hotbed of football talent, but a lot of the best players in the Dakotas and rural areas of Wisconsin and Minnesota who do not have offers from the Badgers or Gophers have chosen to go NDSU to win championships.
Playing in a dome probably helps with recruiting as well with the Fargo weather…
2 Likes
They had Carson Wentz, Trey Lance, Easton Stick, and last year Cam Miller….so they’re sort of a QB stalwart school in regards to the NFL.
2 Likes
Please feel free to start a new thread about sports and let’s get back to college closings. TIA
5 Likes
The Indianapolis Star had an article about 3 colleges that are in the danger zone in Indiana. Anderson University, Earlham College, and Franklin College. They are all small private colleges. They included a link to the University Deathpool.Welcome to the University Deathpool
I have a coworker with a daughter at Earlham now. Her daughter loves it. It sounds like a really special place from what she shares.
9 Likes
I hadn’t been paying much attention to Earlham, but knew they had a pretty sizeable endowment. Looks like it’s just over $400M! But then enrollment looks to have dropped almost in half in the past 10+ years, so still need that tuition revenue. Wow, just didn’t realize they were at risk.
5 Likes
I believe their future was discussed on here a few months back. Here’s something to the school from a student.
And an article on the issue.
An Open letter to the President and the Earlham Board of Trustees
Earlham hopes big cuts foster long-term survival - Western Wayne News
3 Likes
Earlham was a CC favorite about 12 years ago, but haven’t seen much about it lately. They used to give great financial aid, so maybe that had to stop and that lead to the decline in enrollment.
4 Likes
I knew some really smart interesting people who went to Earlham though they probably graduated almost 25 years ago.
3 Likes
I’ve seen them recommended a lot in the last few years. Not St Olaf level but not invisible.
I hope they come out ok. I have a feeling they’ll still be here in a decade.
1 Like