EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE Athletics produced nearly $250 million dollars in economic impact and advertising value over the past four years (FY22-FY25), according to a recent study conducted by Collegiate Consulting. The study highlights economic, media, and branding benefits for the university, the City of Edwardsville, the Metro East, and the broader regional media market.

"We take very seriously our opportunity, our responsibility, and our impact as the Metro East's Division I institution," said Andrew Gavin, Vice Chancellor / Director of Athletics. "Collectively and collaboratively with our thriving University and community, we're proud to be an important contributor to economic vitality and brand awareness. We're grateful that this study helps to quantify that impact, but we're also fired up to ambitiously pursue continued growth and success."

The study included an examination and analysis of a variety of factors, including, but not limited to media exposure, brand visibility, net tuition, event visitor data, student-athlete volunteerism, academic institutional impact and others. Each factor was calculated utilizing category-specific direct and indirect multipliers to create conservative calculations for compiling the value of intercollegiate athletics.

SIUE has competed as a Division I institution for nearly 20 years, and its impact as a reputational and brand driver for the University and the community was amplified by the men's basketball team's Ohio Valley Conference championship and March Madness appearance in 2025. 

Media and brand exposure are the primary drivers of SIUE's valuation. Over the four years, SIUE Athletics generated $178.82 million in advertising value, with $93 million coming from national broadcasts during the 2025 men's basketball postseason and $76 million from media related to March Madness.

"These quantitative metrics are a nice complement to the pride shared by our university community. What is special about SIUE, is that our success is powered by student-athletes who also excel in the classroom while being gracious ambassadors for the university," said Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD. "We also have a tremendous team of professionals in our Athletics Department. They accepted the challenge to improve the experience and the community has responded with unprecedented support."

"We could all feel the positive impact of March Madness in the moment and in the months to follow," Gavin said. "There is no marketing strategy a university can buy, plan, and execute that replicates the visibility and brand exposure that March Madness provides, which this study affirms."

Game-day activities, sports camps, and other events at SIUE facilities generated $23 million during the four-year span. Athletics staff, student-athlete tuition, spending, and volunteerism added $29 million, showing athletics as a consistent economic driver.

"We are grateful for Andrew (Gavin) and his team the opportunity for us, and our SIUE graduate/former SA Bailley (Concatto), to partner with SIUE on their Economic Valuation Study.," stated Collegiate Consulting's Managing Director Russell Wright. "The report reinforces the impact and exposure of success in men's basketball translating to exponential increases of the impact of intercollegiate athletics, with SIUE increasing 9x fold, following their OVC championship and NCAA tournament appearance.

Founded in 2005, Atlanta-based Collegiate Consulting has partnered with more than 750 universities, colleges, conferences, and associations nationwide. The firm specializes in athletics valuation, economic impact analysis, strategic planning, enrollment consulting and executive searches.

Bailley Concatto, Director of Operations at Collegiate Consulting, served as the lead consultant on the search. Concatto is a former softball student-athlete at SIUE that graduated in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in applied communications.

"I have worked on these studies for schools all over the country, but doing so for my alma mater made this project especially meaningful," said Concatto. "SIUE and the Edwardsville community have had a lasting impact on me, and I'm proud this study reflects the impact SIUE Athletics continues to have in the Metro East."