The question is often asked, “How does the success of a university’s athletic teams impact, if at all, the enrollment, academic standards or fundraising success of an institution?” No clear answer exists, but some research suggests that a university receives a one-time “bump” in applications for admission, alumni support, etc.
The University of Louisville has just completed an amazing year of athletic achievement unlike that of any other institution. But last year was more than a year of athletic achievements for (Louisville) — a national championship in men’s basketball, national runner-up in women’s basketball, an Allstate Sugar Bowl victory and a trip to the College World Series — it was also a year of continued academic success.
The past year we welcomed the best academically prepared freshman class in the history of the University of Louisville; our graduation numbers are at an all-time high; our students continue to lead our state and are among the leaders nationally in students winning prestigious post-graduate awards, such as the Fulbright Scholarships.
Our research programs are continuing to grow in a tough federal fiscal environment. We are among the leaders in regenerative heart research, spinal-cord research and stem-cell research that enables our solid organ-transplant patients avoid the need for immunosuppressant drugs.
We believe that our athletic successes place the University of Louisville on national stages, giving us the opportunity to promote not only our athletic achievements but, more importantly, our academic successes. We use these athletic stages for fundraising, alumni development and student recruiting and use our athletic success as a window for the world to see the amazing trajectory of the entire university.
Is there a direct correlation between our athletic success and academic success? There is. Does our athletic success result in academic success? We certainly believe so. Now we’re joining the ACC, which means future trips to Atlanta and Georgia Tech, more high-profile championships for our athletic teams (we hope) and a chance to showcase the University of Louisville to new audiences. While I kept telling people that 2013 was “a great time to be a Louisville Cardinal,” we expect to continue building upon this great trajectory every year.
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