As college acceptance letters begin to come out, students face the decision of where they would like to go for the next four years. Due to increased media attention and school pride, colleges with popular sports teams tend to attract more applicants every year. Many question whether they want an academic school, a sports school or a balance of both.The effect of college sports on students applying is often called the Flutie Effect, . The Flutie Effect is named after former Boston College student and pro football player, Doug Flutie. His performance while playing football for Boston College increased the popularity of the school and boosted the number of applications by 30 percent. Other schools similarly experience this after having successful sports teams.
Junior Charlie Dickerson found himself passionate about college sports, and believes it will be a part of the decision-making process while he is applying to college next year.
“I want the experience that comes with college sports, whether that be baseball, basketball or football. I want something [such as sports] that I can bond about with other people,” Dickerson said.
Many students find comfort in being able to connect with peers through watching sports. Big schools attract applicants every year due to their showcase of leading athletes; some idealize college athletes, seeing the life they created around their school.
“People see these big [players] going far , and associate the school with being good at that [sport],” Dickerson said.
With the rise of social media, broadcasting college sports has never been easier. TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat all have created a platform for players and students to display what their life is like at certain colleges. Olivia Dunne, a gymnast at Louisiana State University (LSU), has gained recent media attention with millions of followers across social media platforms. Since gaining followers, she has shared herbroadcast life at LSU as a student-athlete. The school LSU has experienced a 17 percent increase in enrollments since 2023.
High school students being able to get an inside to life at America’s universities has been eye-opening, and brought many students to new schools they never could see themselves at before.
“When I saw Ohio State win the national championship [for football], I thought maybe I should apply there,” Dickerson said.
For some students, college sports can be a deciding factor in which college they would like to attend. SchoolsColleges with leading sports draw the attention of many. Winning championships and doing well in season catches the public eye, especially high school students watching college sports.
Junior Stella Belluomini and long-time 49ers fan has had an eye for football and plans to go to a strong sports college.
“Having a good football school with a big sports environment is very important to me,” Belluomini said.
Similar to Dickerson, Belluomini believes that good sports programs draw in more applicants.
“Schools with more sports teams bring a lot of money to the school, as oftentimes they have better resources and programs. In Indiana, for example, since their recent rise in football they have seen more applicants,” Belluomini said.
Many students, like Dickerson and Belluomini, consider a strong sports culture an essential factor in their college decision-making process. Social media platforms have further amplified the influence of college athletics, allowing student-athletes to showcase their experiences and attract more applicants. As schools with successful sports teams gain more visibility and prestige, they often experience the growing impact of athletics on college selection.
