College Bowl Appearances - How much do they matter?

Hey all, seeing rankings of colleges with the most bowl appearances. How important are these stats when selecting a college, specifically if I'm looking into sports management or a related field?

While college bowl appearances can give the school a spotlight on the national stage and provide an exciting community experience, they don't directly correlate to the academic quality, including programs in sports management or related fields. However, universities with a strong athletic program often also have robust sports administration and related programs, since the demand for such fields is high.

For a student interested in sports management, a school's engagement in competitive athletics (like bowl appearances) can offer additional opportunities for practical experience and networking. For example, you could possibly intern with the athletic department, or network with alumni who are now in prominent positions within sports organizations.

In addition, such a school might have stronger ties and a better network in the sports industry, simply because they've had a strong athletic program for years and likely have many alumni working in the field. It's also worth checking out the resources the program at each institution offers, such as internships, partnerships with local teams, and guest speakers.

However, the primary focus should be on the academic strength and resources of the sports management program itself. Look at the curriculum, faculty, Overall, while a strong sports culture can be a bonus, it shouldn't be the deciding factor in choosing a college for sports management.

Always check out the career outcomes for graduates of the program, and try to speak to current students or graduates if you can. This can give you a better idea of how well the program prepares its students for their intended careers. In the end, the quality of the program, aligned with your personal and career goals, should be the determining factor in your college choice.