Financial and Strategic Analysis of the Winthrop University Athletic Department
Session Title
Poster Session 2
Faculty Mentor
Bradley Kopp| Michael Lipscomb, Ph.D| Trent Kull, Ph.D
College
College of Business Administration
Department
Accounting, Finance & Economics
Abstract
This thesis statement provides a financial and strategic analysis of the Winthrop University athletic department. For many colleges and universities across the United States, athletics play a critical role in shaping the overall success of the institution. Athletic teams are able to generate revenue for and attract students to the institution. In addition, successful athletic teams boost school spirit and expand university outreach. Therefore, it is essential for Winthrop University and its athletic department administration to work in tandem to create short and long-term strategies and initiatives that will ultimately support a sustainable athletic program committed to growing the institution as a whole. This thesis highlights the interdependence of the athletic department's financial health and processes for designing and implementing athletic department strategies. Athletic department revenues and expenses were analyzed through a breakdown of the data contained in the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act 2022 (EADA). This data was compared to that of other institutions of similar enrollment and athletic conferences, as well as to Winthrop University EADA reports from previous years. In addition, the process for determining the overall athletic department budget and its subsequent allocation across athletic expenses was analyzed. Interpreting the data and processes have contributed to identifying trends or deficiencies and predicting the future trajectory of the athletic department. Furthermore, the growth opportunities and strategic goals for the athletic department were assessed. Growth opportunities include athletic department initiatives to foster enrollment growth and expand university outreach.
Honors Thesis Committee
Bradley Kopp, Michael Lipscomb, Ph.D, Trent Kull, Ph.D
Previously Presented/Performed?
Winthrop University Showcase of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors, Rock Hill, SC, April 2023.
Type of Presentation
Poster presentation
Start Date
15-4-2023 12:00 PM
Financial and Strategic Analysis of the Winthrop University Athletic Department
This thesis statement provides a financial and strategic analysis of the Winthrop University athletic department. For many colleges and universities across the United States, athletics play a critical role in shaping the overall success of the institution. Athletic teams are able to generate revenue for and attract students to the institution. In addition, successful athletic teams boost school spirit and expand university outreach. Therefore, it is essential for Winthrop University and its athletic department administration to work in tandem to create short and long-term strategies and initiatives that will ultimately support a sustainable athletic program committed to growing the institution as a whole. This thesis highlights the interdependence of the athletic department's financial health and processes for designing and implementing athletic department strategies. Athletic department revenues and expenses were analyzed through a breakdown of the data contained in the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act 2022 (EADA). This data was compared to that of other institutions of similar enrollment and athletic conferences, as well as to Winthrop University EADA reports from previous years. In addition, the process for determining the overall athletic department budget and its subsequent allocation across athletic expenses was analyzed. Interpreting the data and processes have contributed to identifying trends or deficiencies and predicting the future trajectory of the athletic department. Furthermore, the growth opportunities and strategic goals for the athletic department were assessed. Growth opportunities include athletic department initiatives to foster enrollment growth and expand university outreach.
