The Impact of Athletic Success on Prospective Student Decision on College Selection: Perspective of Student-Athlete and Non-Student-Athlete

Abstract

This study aims to examine the relationship between prospective students’ motivation in college selection and media exposure to athletic success. With a total of 36 participants, we conducted four focus group interviews with two groups of student athletes and two groups of non-student athletes from the Pacific Northwest in the United States. Findings show that media coverage of successful college athletics seems to increase their awareness of higher education institutions and, eventually, their motivation in choice of college. This paper makes recommendations for appealing to prospective higher education applicants by emphasizing the role of athletic performance and media exposure to schools situated to take advantage of that recruiting aspect.