The Business of Being Cinderella

University releases study on Final Four impact

Mason’s stunning Final Four run in 2006 made the team an instant fan favorite and the university a household name. New data show how the Final Four appearance put Mason’s progress on fast forward.

Robert Baker, director of Mason’s Center for Sport Management, examined the economic and social impacts of the Final Four appearance across the university. What he found is good news for the next university that wears the glass slipper.

Since the 2006 NCAA Tournament,

• Admissions inquiries increased 350 percent.
• Out-of-state applications increased 40 percent, and out-of-state students now make up 25 percent of the freshman class.
• Total freshman applications increased 22 percent from the 2005–06 academic year.
• Alumni participation increased 25 percent, and online directory registration of alumni rose 52 percent.
• GoMason.com (the official Intercollegiate Athletics web site) page views increased 503 percent, while unique viewers increased 702 percent in March 2006.
• Patriot Club fund raising increased 52 percent over the previous year and continues to climb.
• Men’s basketball games have consistently had CAA record-setting attendance for home games in 2007 and 2008, and season ticket sales doubled in one year.
• An estimated $677,474,659 in free media was earned by Mason during the 2006 NCAA Tournament through national, regional, and local broadcast (including games), print, and electronic media coverage.