Scoreboards vs. Mortarboards: Major Donor Behavior and Intercollegiate Athletics

In an era where intercollegiate athletics departments are increasingly reliant on and successful in obtaining charitable donations, three fundamental questions surrounding charitable contributions to educational institutions were empirically examined. Who gives to educational institutions in support of academic and athletics programs? Does the improved performance of athletic teams influence both types of giving to educational institutions? Does increased giving to athletics have a negative impact on charitable giving to educational programs at the same institution? An in-depth analysis of donor behavior at a major public university revealed that contrary to popular assumption, both alumni and non-alumni made gifts to both athletic and academic programs, though the two groups differed significantly in their behavior. Evidence indicated a winning athletics program may have significantly impacted alumni giving behavior, and that increased giving to athletics by both alumni and non-alumni was linked to a decline in academic fundraising at the same institution

An Empirical Examination of University Intercollegiate Athletic Expenditures

To date, little empirical work has examined the institutional returns associated with athletic program investments. While intangible brand effects are commonly cited, such as athletics serving as the perceptual “front porch” of the institution, direct examination of the effects of athletic programs has often been narrow in scope. Within this study, we assess the contributions of investment in athletics as compared to other areas of institutional investment, on important institutional outcomes. Data for the study was collected from two datasets, the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the Equity in Athletics dataset. Fixed effects models for NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision schools were constructed to assess the return on investment relative to total institutional revenues, gift revenues, student application rates, and student graduation rates. Findings reveal that for every dollar of athletic expenditure per FTE $2.12 of core revenues per FTE,$.24 in gift revenues per FTE, and a .165% increase in graduation rates were produced

Internal Marketing in Intercollegiate Athletic Departments: Maximizing Effectiveness across Job Types

Theoretically, the results of the current study will contribute to a refined understanding of how internal marketing practices should be geared to different types of employees to maximize outcomes. In practice, the results can be used to segments internal audiences to better meet employee\u27s needs through internal marketing programs

Affinity and Affiliation: The Dual-Carriage Way to Team Identification

The article investigates the significance of affinity and affiliation in fan determination with a sports team. The study examines the association of team affinity and organizational affiliation in the establishment of student identification with an intercollegiate football team. It shows the stronger role of affiliation in college sports. It notes that fan intentions to attend games is attributed to team determination. It suggests that there are some common processes at work and that developed attachment may not be wise. The effects for practice and future research are also discussed

Internal Marketing Perceptions in Intercollegiate Athletics and Their Influence on Organizational Commitment

While scholars have previously focused on the external impact of marketing efforts in college athletics (e.g., Gladden, Irwin, & Sutton, 2001), little research has been done on the internal marketing orientation of collegiate sport properties and its respective impact on college sport. The purpose of this study is to determine the perceptions of internal marketing in college athletics and to examine if those perceptions have an effect on the level of organizational commitment among departmental employees. Survey methodology collected information from 248 athletic department administrators at NCAA FBS and FCS institutions. Results indicate that internal marketing orientation strongly influenced affective commitment to the organization. Further, internal marketing was found to fully mediate the relationship of job function and affective commitment. Finally, theorized moderators of job type, level of competition and gender were not statistically significant. The results support the assertion that an internal marketing orientation can be effectively implemented to foster the development of affective commitment to the organization

Intercollegiate Athletics and Institutional Fundraising: A Meta-Analysis

After nearly 30 years of research, the disparate findings of studies examining the influence of intercollegiate athletics on private, individual giving to higher education institutions have failed to generate generalizable knowledge. The current study examined all available empirical studies conducted between 1976 and 2008 on this topic. Meta-analysis results indicate that intercollegiate athletics does have a small, but statistically significant, effect on giving. Follow-up analysis revealed four significant moderators on the strength of the intercollegiate athletic-private giving relationship: the gift target (i.e., athletic vs. academic programs), the alumni status of the donor, the level of NCAA membership, and whether or not the institution competes in football. Implications of the results and directions for future research are discussed

Internal Marketing Perceptions in Intercollegiate Athletics and Their Influence on Organizational Commitment

While scholars have previously focused on the external impact of marketing efforts in college athletics (e.g., Gladden, Irwin, & Sutton, 2001), little research has been done on the internal marketing orientation of collegiate sport properties and its respective impact on college sport. The purpose of this study is to determine the perceptions of internal marketing in college athletics and to examine if those perceptions have an effect on the level of organizational commitment among departmental employees. Survey methodology collected information from 248 athletic department administrators at NCAA FBS and FCS institutions. Results indicate that internal marketing orientation strongly influenced affective commitment to the organization. Further, internal marketing was found to fully mediate the relationship of job function and affective commitment. Finally, theorized moderators of job type, level of competition and gender were not statistically significant. The results support the assertion that an internal marketing orientation can be effectively implemented to foster the development of affective commitment to the organization

Reliability of MRI interpretation of Discoid Lateral Meniscus: A multicenter study

BACKGROUND: Discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) has a varied and complex morphology that can be challenging to assess and treat. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is frequently used for diagnosis and surgical planning; however, it is not known whether surgeons are reliable and accurate in their interpretation of MRI findings when defining the pathomorphology of DLM. HYPOTHESIS: Surgeons experienced in treating DLM are able to reliably interpret DLM pathology using MRI. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Knee MRI scans from 44 patients (45 knees) were selected from a pool of surgically treated patients with DLM. Five reviewers (fellowship-trained pediatric sports medicine surgeons) performed independent review of each MRI scan using the PRiSM Discoid Meniscus Classification. Inter- and intraobserver reliability of the rating factors-primary (width, height, presence of peripheral instability or tear) and secondary (location of instability or tear, tear type)-was assessed using the Fleiss κ coefficient, designed for multiple readers with nominal variables (fair reliability, 0.21-0.40; moderate, 0.41-0.60; substantial, 0.61-0.80; excellent, 0.81-1.00). Reliability is reported as κ (95% CI). RESULTS: Interobserver reliability in assessing most primary and secondary characteristics ranged from substantial (meniscal width) to moderate (peripheral instability, anterior instability, posterior instability, and posterior tear). Intraobserver reliability for most characteristics ranged from substantial (peripheral instability, presence of tear, anterior instability, posterior instability, and posterior tear) to moderate (meniscal width, anterior tear, and tear type). Notable exceptions were presence of tear, anterior tear, and tear type-all with fair interobserver reliability. Height had poor interobserver reliability and fair intraobserver reliability. CONCLUSION: Orthopaedic surgeons reliably interpret MRI scans using the PRiSM Discoid Meniscus Classification for the majority of DLM characteristics but vary in their assessment of height and presence and type of tear. MRI evaluation may be helpful to diagnose discoid by width and identify the presence of instability: 2 major factors in the decision to proceed with surgery. Arthroscopic evaluation should be used in conjunction with MRI findings for complete DLM diagnosis

Inflammatory properties of inhibitor of DNA binding 1 secreted by synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Background Inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (Id1) is a nuclear protein containing a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) domain that regulates cell growth by selective binding and prevention of gene transcription. Sources of Id1 production in rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue (RA ST) and its range of functional effects in RA remain to be clarified. Methods We analyzed Id1 produced from synovial fibroblasts and endothelial cells (ECs) with histology and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Fibroblast supernatants subjected to differential centrifugation to isolate and purify exosomes were measured for Id1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blotting of Id1-stimulated ECs was performed to determine the kinetics of intracellular protein phosphorylation. EC intracellular signaling pathways induced by Id1 were subsequently targeted with silencing RNA (siRNA) for angiogenesis inhibition. Results By PCR and histologic analysis, we found that the primary source of Id1 in STs is from activated fibroblasts that correlate with inflammatory scores in human RA ST and in joints from K/BxN serum-induced mice. Normal (NL) and RA synovial fibroblasts increase Id1 production with stimulation by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). Most of the Id1 released by RA synovial fibroblasts is contained within exosomes. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and human dermal microvascular ECs (HMVECs) activate the Jnk signaling pathway in response to Id1, and Jnk siRNA reverses Id1-induced HMVEC vessel formation in Matrigel plugs in vivo. Conclusions Id1 is a pleotropic molecule affecting angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, and fibrosis. Our data shows that Id1 is not only an important nuclear protein, but also can be released from fibroblasts via exosomes. The ability of extracellular Id1 to activate signaling pathways expands the role of Id1 in the orchestration of tissue inflammation.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134552/1/13075_2016_Article_984.pd

A unique role for galectin-9 in angiogenesis and inflammatory arthritis

Abstract Background Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is a mammalian lectin secreted by endothelial cells that is highly expressed in rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissues and synovial fluid. Roles have been proposed for galectins in the regulation of inflammation and angiogenesis. Therefore, we examined the contribution of Gal-9 to angiogenesis and inflammation in arthritis. Methods To determine the role of Gal-9 in angiogenesis, we performed human dermal microvascular endothelial cell (HMVEC) chemotaxis, Matrigel tube formation, and mouse Matrigel plug angiogenesis assays. We also examined the role of signaling molecules in Gal-9-induced angiogenesis by using signaling inhibitors and small interfering RNA (siRNA). We performed monocyte (MN) migration assays in a modified Boyden chamber and assessed the arthritogenicity of Gal-9 by injecting Gal-9 into mouse knees. Results Gal-9 significantly increased HMVEC migration, which was decreased by inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulating kinases 1/2 (Erk1/2), p38, Janus kinase (Jnk), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Gal-9 HMVEC-induced tube formation was reduced by Erk1/2, p38, and Jnk inhibitors, and this was confirmed by siRNA knockdown. In mouse Matrigel plug assays, plugs containing Gal-9 induced significantly higher angiogenesis, which was attenuated by a Jnk inhibitor. Gal-9 also induced MN migration, and there was a marked increase in MN ingress when C57BL/6 mouse knees were injected with Gal-9 compared with the control, pointing to a proinflammatory role for Gal-9. Conclusions Gal-9 mediates angiogenesis, increases MN migration in vitro, and induces acute inflammatory arthritis in mice, suggesting a novel role for Gal-9 in angiogenesis, joint inflammation, and possibly other inflammatory diseases.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142380/1/13075_2018_Article_1519.pd