Athletics effect retention rate among college campuses

By Elizabeth Krupka A&E Editor

With retention rates fluctuating at Cabrini, the athletic department has been considered a selling point to prospective students applying for college.

According to Joe Giunta, athletic director at Cabrini, the athletic department helps silence the often asked questions from admission and enrollment directors such as “Do we need to add more activities?” “Should we lower the tuition?” “Why don’t students seem to be happy here?”

“I think athletics affect retention at every college. Student-athletes reap many positive benefits from being a part of a team. Many student-athletes come to a school because of athletics. This makes them more connected to a group of people and more attached to stay,” Giunta said.

In 2009 Cabrini College had 250-275 unduplicated, individual student-athletes. For a small school like Cabrini College, 250 students involved in the athletic program is a significant number.

When a student comes to college, it is crucial that they become a part of some group. It allows them to make friends and to meet new people, in addition to helping students to stay actively involved in the campus.

“It can considerably affect retention for a student to be a part of any group whether it’s sports, the business club, or SGA,” Giunta said.

Sports in particular, are a heavy time commitment. This is why some students are leery to continue playing sports after high school.

“This year I am not playing soccer for Cabrini like I had the past two years. I do feel like I have more time to be a part of different