Research Studies

1
National Intramural-Recreational Sports
Association

• Research Studies

Phillip E. Downs, Ph.D., PartnerKerr Downs
ResearchProfessor of MarketingFlorida State
University
2
NIRSA Research Studies
Study 1 Value of Recreational Sports Study 2
Buying Power of Participants Study 3 Economic
Impact of Recreational Sports Programs
3
Study 1
Research on Participants
Objective Assess value and contribution of
recreational sports to students on college
campuses
4
Study 1
Research on Participants
2,673 students interviewed
Participating Colleges

• San Jacinto College
• Sonoma State University
• Towson University
• University of Illinois
• University of Miami
• University of Michigan
• University of Rhode Island
• Washington State University

• Bridgewater State College
• Colorado State University
• DePaul University
• Florida International University
• Loyola College
• Oakland University
• Regis University
• Rice University

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Users of Recreational Sports

Heavy user gt25 times/month
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Importance to college satisfaction and success
All students
7
Importance to college satisfaction and success
Heavy users
8
Importance to college satisfaction and success
Recreational sports rank among 21 factors
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Your college should spend more money on
All students
10
Your college should spend more money on
Heavy users
11
Your college should spend more money on
Recreational sports rank among 10 factors
12
Satisfaction with College Life(Dieners
Happiness Scale)
13
Satisfaction with College Life(Dieners
Happiness Scale)
Freshman
14
Satisfaction with College Life(Dieners
Happiness Scale)
Sophomore
15
College guidebooks
College guidebooks and articles rating colleges
should include specific ratings on a colleges
recreational activities sports, student
recreation centers and intramural club sports
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Benefits of recreational sports participation
All students
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Benefits of recreational sports participation
Heavy users
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Benefits of recreational sports participation
By year in school
Average score across 12 questions concerning
beneficial outcomes of recreational sports.
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Benefits of recreational sports participation
By gender
Average score across 12 questions concerning
beneficial outcomes of recreational sports.
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Benefits of recreational sports participation
By ethnicity
Average score across 12 questions concerning
beneficial outcomes of recreational sports.
21
In the past 30 days, how many days did you
Attend religious services
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Hours of community service within the past 30 days
23
In the past 30 days, how many days did you
Smoke cigarettes
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Academic hours for this quarter/semester
25
Estimated median percentage of college expenses
paid
26
Average SAT score
27
Average ACT score
28
Overall grade point average
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Study 2
Research on Participants
Objective To assess the buying power of
participants of recreational sports on college
campuses Research Method Same as Value of
Recreational Sports study
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Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Athletic apparel/clothes
3,953,367,000
31
Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Restaurants
6,795,495,000
32
Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Food (grocery stores, convenience stores, etc.)
8,724,672,000
33
Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Cars (gas, repair, etc.)
7,650,612,000
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Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Athletic shoes
2,862,783,000
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Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Clothes, shoes (excluding athletic clothes or
shoes)
7,072,272,000
36
Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Athletic equipment
1,788,723,000
37
Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Soft drinks, sports drinks
2,106,810,000
38
Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Personal care, toiletries
3,007,368,000
39
Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Vitamins, health supplements, health food
2,177,037,000
40
Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Bottled water
1,590,435,000
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Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Household items
2,507,517,000
42
Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Videos, movies, DVDs, CDs, headsets, etc.
2,652,102,000
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Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Sporting events, concerts, clubs, etc.
2,990,844,000
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Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
TVs, radios, stereos
2,102,679,000
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Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Computers, pagers, CD burners, cell phones
5,424,003,000
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Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Travel/vacations
8,633,790,000
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Estimated mean amount spent per academic year by
users of college recreational sports
Alcohol, cigarettes
3,726,162,000
48
Study 3
Research on Campus Directors of Recreational
Sports
Objective Determine the economic impact of
college recreational sports programs Method Mail
survey of NIRSA members
49
Number of Sports Complexes
NIRSA Colleges
3,505 Indoor Outdoor Facilities
50
Expenditures on Facilities Since 2000
NIRSA Colleges
Total Expenditures 7.1 Billion
5.37 Billion
1.20 Billion
0.40 Billion
0.13 Billion
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Cost of Planned Recreational Facilities 2003-2008
NIRSA Colleges
4.38 Billion
551 Million
New construction renovations
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Average Annual Expenditures 2002
NIRSA Colleges

• Recreational Sporting Equipment
• Games/sports equipment 10,715
• Goals, nets, mats, etc. 3,928
• Apparel 5,699
• Outdoor recreation equipment 7,467
• Other equipment 19,445
• Facilities
• A/V entertainment systems 7,028
• Medical 1,887
• Utilities 203,102
• Maintenance 57,112
• Floor maintenance 15,160
• Field maintenance 18,604
• Safety/security 8,062
• Facility components 11,281
• Other operations 82,301

Administration Computers, etc.
25,296 Marketing 11,830 Office
supplies 10,376 Consultants
17,044 Salaries/wages 482,610 Dues/membership
s 2,134 Other 116,078 Miscellaneous
Appliances/furniture 11,959 Child care
200 Travel 12,554 Other 287,722

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Total Infrequent Expenditures 2003-2007
NIRSA Colleges
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Total Recreational Sports Budgets
NIRSA Colleges - 2002
603.4 Million
378.0 Million
957.6Million