'Flutie Factor' Dismissed in Study; meanwhile 'Kareem Townes Factor' contributes to 93% surge in LaSalle's freshman applications

USA Today reports that a winning sports program is not a determining factor in prospective student applications.

The study "refutes the so-called 'Flutie Factor,' (which holds that) intercollegiate athletics and winning teams have a major impact on enrollment decisions," says Rick Hesel, who did the poll by Art & Science Group of Baltimore. Widely known in admissions circles, the Flutie Factor refers to a surge in applications to Boston College after its quarterback, Doug Flutie, made his fabled touchdown pass to beat Miami in 1984. Applications rose 30% in two years.

Hesel said students rated jobs, internships, clubs and community service as more important extracurricular interests. The findings are based on telephone interviews with 500 college-bound high school students last spring — just after the men's national basketball championship tournament. Most respondents could not even recall which team won, Hesel said

LaSalle has seen a surge in applications - more than 93% - since basketball star and convicted drug dealer Kareem Townes left campus in 1995. Presumably because prospective students felt safer.