Student Life

Overview: 
Club sports and intramurals provide students with opportunities to stay active, build friendships, and develop valuable life skills outside the classroom. These programs offer a more inclusive and accessible way for students to engage in physical activity, regardless of skill level, while fostering school spirit, teamwork, leadership, and time management. Additionally, they contribute to a well-rounded college experience, enhancing students' social connections, mental well-being, and sense of belonging on campus. Currently, Fresno State offers 23 club sports, engaging over 1,300 students annually. 

Proposed Solution: 
Increased funding from the proposed student fee increase for club sports and intramurals would expand student programming.

Rationale and Benefits: 
Additional funding may allow for the expansion of club sports teams, enhance event experiences and provide additional staffing and essential equipment. In addition, it would support post-season play, giving our teams the opportunity to compete at the regional and national levels, further elevating the student experience. 

Overview: 
Intercollegiate athletics is a core pillar of Fresno State, with our Division I athletes setting us apart and enhancing our national visibility in a way that distinguishes us from other schools in the region and nation. For more than 100 years, Fresno State athletics has been a vibrant source of pride and tradition in the Valley, uniting the community and strengthening school spirit. It fosters a deep sense of belonging on campus, enhancing student engagement and contributing to their overall success.

More than just entertainment, athletics serve as a powerful driver of student success, financial health, and institutional reputation. Universities that invest in their athletic programs benefit from increased applications, stronger alumni engagement, enhanced campus culture and student life, and long-term growth. Research highlights several key benefits:

1. Increased Student Applications & Enrollment
   Studies by Pope & Pope (2009) and Anderson (2017) show that athletic success—particularly in football and basketball—leads to a surge in student applications. Additionally, the "Flutie Effect" describes how notable athletic achievements can boost a university's visibility, leading to increased applications. This impact allows universities to grow enrollment while maintaining academic quality.
2. Higher Alumni Engagement & Donations
   Research by Anderson (2017) indicates that a single unexpected football win can boost alumni donations by over $130,000. Strong athletic programs create lifelong connections, encouraging alumni to give back and support scholarships, facilities, and academic programs.
   
   
3. Enhanced Academic Reputation & Rankings
   Athletic success has been linked to improved university rankings and prestige. A study by Anderson (2017) found that each football win slightly enhances a school's academic reputation, which in turn attracts higher-quality applicants and faculty.
   
   
4. Enriching Student Experience and Campus Cultures
   Athletics foster school pride, social engagement, and a strong sense of identity among students. The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics (2020) emphasizes that sports contribute to student well-being by promoting teamwork, leadership, and a sense of belonging.
   
   
5. Financial Benefits & Institutional Growth
   Successful athletic programs generate revenue through ticket sales, media rights, sponsorships, and merchandise. According to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, universities with strong athletic programs experience greater financial stability and investment in academic resources.
   
   
6. Distinction
   A vibrant athletic program brings clear value and distinction to the Fresno State degree, as it is a clear element that sets us apart from other institutions. 

Beyond the tangible benefits athletics brings to a university, data from Fresno State's recent brand study and the 2024 football season underscore athletics as an essential part of the student experience. The university’s brand study revealed that athletics is highly valued by both students and our region, and plays a crucial role in building community. The athletics "Bulldog" logo stands out as the most recognized brand identifier, fueling school spirit and strengthening Fresno State’s local and national presence. 

This fall, more than 30,000 football tickets were distributed to students, with over 14,000 unique claims. With over 63% of our student body attending at least one game, this highlights the significant impact athletics has on the Fresno State student experience –athletics provides a sense of pride and makes Fresno State a fun and dynamic student-centered university.

Compared to our peers in the Pac-12 conference, Fresno State ranks low in student fees, pricing and expenses (see Appendix B). To remain competitive at the national level and enhance the student experience, increased funding is essential.

Proposed Solution: 
Increased funding from the proposed student fee increase for intercollegiate athletics would enhance student experiences, and develop new programs specifically designed for all Fresno State students. 

Rationale and Benefits: 
Fresno State Athletics is committed to enhancing the overall student experience by creating opportunities that foster community engagement, personal growth, and career development. With increased funding, athletics would enhance the following:

• Campus Spirit and Community Engagement
  Upgraded tailgating zones and pregame concerts would elevate the game-day atmosphere, while exclusive student perks—such as giveaways and snacks in the student section—would boost school pride and inclusivity. Athletics would also expand the use of Valley Children’s Stadium to host large-scale concerts and entertainment events, offering Fresno State students the chance to enjoy world-class performances on campus.
  
  
• Facilities and event accessibility
  Increased accessibility of athletic facilities for campus events, allowing student groups and clubs to host pep rallies, competitions, and other community-building activities.
  
  
• Student Recognition and Inclusion 
  Student organizations would have opportunities to promote their initiatives during athletic events and campus-wide celebrations, increasing visibility and engagement within the university community.
  
  
• Student Scholarships
  Increase student scholarships, supporting access to higher education. 
   
• Expanded NIL programming for the entire student body
  Recognizing the transformative potential of NIL education, athletics would expand programming to benefit ALL students. This would include personal branding workshops, entrepreneurship programs, financial literacy resources, mentoring, networking, and a digital learning portal, equipping students with the skills for both personal and professional success.
  
  
• Fresno State Sports Management Internship Program
  Fresno State Athletics is excited to launch a sports management internship program, open to all Fresno State students. The program aims to position Fresno State as a national leader in producing job-ready Sports Management graduates by providing hands-on, immersive internships with unparalleled experience and professional connections. Key components include: 
  • Rotational internships through various departments, including Media Relations, Public Relations, NCAA Compliance, Marketing, Event Management, Ticket Sales, and more, gaining diverse, real-world experience.
  • Professional development curriculum that includes leadership training, certifications (such as Sports Analytics), and resume-building workshops to enhance students’ job readiness.
  • Mentorship program that pairs students with senior administrators, alumni, or industry leaders for personalized career guidance and advice.
  • Real-time projects that offer interns with work experience that builds a professional portfolio with tangible accomplishments.
  • An exit strategy that equips students with comprehensive work portfolios, performance evaluations, and references, ensuring they are fully prepared and well-positioned for success in industry roles.

Overview: 
The Bulldog Marching Band (BMB) is the largest student organization on campus and represents every college and practically every major Fresno State has to offer. The BMB is composed of musical ambassadors who strive to perform with energy, enthusiasm, pride, and proper Bulldog Spirit, while reaching their goal to be a nationally-recognized collegiate marching band. 

Historically, the BMB has had to navigate significant budgeting challenges on multiple fronts: the amount of funding, the steadiness of funding, and the source of funding, which has made budgeting and management enormously challenging. On a yearly basis, the BMB has to combine funding from several different resources. This financial model is not only challenging, but is also unpredictable year-over-year.  

Proposed Solution: 
Increased funding from the proposed student fee increase for the Bulldog Marching Band would provide a stable financial foundation, ensuring that our students can continue to perform at campus events, athletic games, and community engagements while enhancing school spirit and representing the university with pride.

Rationale and Benefits: 
With a properly funded Bulldog Marching Band, the student group would provide vibrant music and Bulldog Spirit at home football, basketball, and volleyball games, as well as for the Fresno State campus and the greater community. The BMB brings together students from diverse degree programs and colleges across campus, fostering collaboration and unity while proudly representing Fresno State on state, national, and international stages. As a symbol of school pride, marching bands play a significant role in university traditions nationwide. Maintaining and growing this legacy requires careful planning, dedicated resources, and ongoing support to ensure its continued success. Lastly, the BMB is an excellent recruitment tool to attract talented students, regardless of their major, to be a part of a program that represents Fresno State with integrity, spirit, and excellence.