{"id":18433,"date":"2025-05-23T19:00:52","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T19:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/?p=18433"},"modified":"2025-08-21T18:06:24","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T18:06:24","slug":"the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/","title":{"rendered":"The Impact of Athletics on School Identity and Success"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:4rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">School athletics may be characterized as an extracurricular activity, but their influence extends far beyond the playing field. In both K\u201312 and higher education, athletic programs and facilities have a powerful effect in shaping institutional branding, strengthening school culture, building community pride, and even influencing enrollment decisions. When thoughtfully integrated, athletics become a strategic asset that fuels student engagement and community involvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-gmb-green-two-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-gmb-green-two-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f5a44f5b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-text-overlay\"><strong>Athletics as a Catalyst for School Branding<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Facilities as First Impressions<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/work\/west-ottawa-athletic-complex\/\">Athletic stadiums<\/a>, often centered around football, are seen as a uniquely American tradition that can shape the identities of students, institutions, and communities. From fields and courts to stadiums and signage, athletic facilities send a clear message: we invest in our students and we\u2019re proud of our programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Merchandise and Mascots<\/strong>: Spirit wear, team colors, and mascots are more than just fun, they\u2019re vital branding tools. Whether worn at family-friendly Friday night games or shared across social media, these elements reinforce pride and recognition in the broader community.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Creating a Unique Fan Experience<\/strong>: The <a href=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/work\/central-michigan-university-chippewa-champions-center\/\">Chippewa Champions Center<\/a> at Central Michigan University is a shining example of using athletics to make a memorable first impression to all campus visitors. Located directly behind the north end zone, the center is one of the most unique fan experiences in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and is located just steps from the Chippewas\u2019 locker room, bringing fans up close and personal to the action on the field.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"647\" src=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_4367_N40_casestudy-1024x647.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-931\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_4367_N40_casestudy-1024x647.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_4367_N40_casestudy-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_4367_N40_casestudy-768x485.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_4367_N40_casestudy.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-gmb-green-two-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-gmb-green-two-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f5a44f5b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-text-overlay\"><strong>Fostering a Culture of Belonging<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f5a44f5b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_5066_N177_casestudy-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-902\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_5066_N177_casestudy-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_5066_N177_casestudy-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_5066_N177_casestudy-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_5066_N177_casestudy.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Inclusion Through Shared Experiences<\/strong>: Games, practices, team nights, and fundraising can act as additional gathering points that unite students, staff, families, and alumni. Whether you&#8217;re on the team, in the band, broadcasting the game, or cheering from the stands, there&#8217;s a place to belong. These shared experiences help create deep emotional ties to the school community and to each other.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Multi-Use Spaces That Serve Everyone:<\/strong> Creating flexible athletic spaces that serve educational, community, and event needs is a must. They serve PE classes by day, sports teams by night, and community events on weekends. Designing these spaces to be used by both male and female sports, and choosing durable materials that encourage year-round use, make great financial sense for educational institutions that often rely on public funding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Elevating The Student Experience<\/strong>: The award-winning <a href=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/work\/hudsonville-high-school-fieldhouse\/\">Hudsonville Fieldhouse<\/a> has ample space to support a variety of sports programs, community members, and school classes. It was important to the district to create spaces that reflected student talent, celebrated their successes, and reinforced the brand and culture of Hudsonville.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-gmb-green-two-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-gmb-green-two-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f5a44f5b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Driving Student Excitement and Retention<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>K-12 Impact<\/strong>: Competitive or high-profile athletics attract families and offer opportunities for students to choose what best suits their talents. More schools are adding options in fast-growing sports like girls\u2019 flag football, boys\u2019 volleyball, rugby, and lacrosse. These offerings pique student interest, attract new demographics, and promote year-round campus activity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Giving K-12 a Collegiate Feel<\/strong>: The turf fields at <a href=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/work\/woodhaven-high-school-athletics-improvements\/'\">Woodhaven High School<\/a> promote a sense of school pride with bold logos and school colors that evoke a collegiate feel to the complex, while also promote accessibility for all students, athletes, and community members regardless of gender or physical abilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Higher Ed Impact<\/strong>: Athletics can be a deal-breaker or deal-maker during the college selection process, especially for student-athletes and school spirit-minded students and families. Highlighting athletics during campus tours and recruitment campaigns helps elevate the entire student experience. Winning seasons, legendary games, and beloved mascots are powerful touchpoints that also keep alumni connected, and invested in, your school.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A Multi-Functional Alumni Space<\/strong>: The <a href=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/work\/western-michigan-stadium-club\/\">Stadium Club<\/a> at Western Michigan University (WMU) transformed from primarily game day use to a 24\/7\/365 a year entertaining, fundraising, and intimate conversation space. The goal of the updated suite was to offer an elegant and welcoming experience to patrons that is unique to WMU.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/5_5825_N51_casestudy-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17766\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/5_5825_N51_casestudy-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/5_5825_N51_casestudy-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/5_5825_N51_casestudy-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/5_5825_N51_casestudy.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-gmb-green-two-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-gmb-green-two-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f5a44f5b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/5_5529_N4_jpg-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/5_5529_N4_jpg-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/5_5529_N4_jpg-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/5_5529_N4_jpg-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/5_5529_N4_jpg-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/5_5529_N4_jpg.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Expanding the Definition of Athletics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Intramural and Recreational Sports<\/strong>: In higher ed, intramural sports provide an outlet for physical activity, connection, and community without the intensity of varsity athletics. They help support student wellness and provide opportunities for leadership and event planning, especially for students not involved in other clubs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Developing Year-Round, Well-Rounded Athletes<\/strong>: Schools are shifting away from the \u201cone-sport athlete\u201d mindset and instead encouraging participation in multiple sports or off-season training programs. This approach helps prevent burnout and injury, while promoting teamwork, adaptability, and resilience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Exploring eSports<\/strong>: Competitive gaming programs are rapidly growing in both K\u201312 and higher education. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.owen-ames-kimball.com\/news\/east-kentwood-high-school-esports-gaming-room\">East Kentwood High School<\/a> in West Michigan has one of the top-ranked eSports teams in the nation and was placed in the Top 20 programs by USA Today. With more than 100 students on the team, their eSports program offers new ways to engage students who might not connect with traditional sports while still teaching them teamwork, strategy, and discipline.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-gmb-green-two-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-gmb-green-two-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Schools that view athletics as a strategic investment and not just an extracurricular perk are better positioned to create pride-filled, inclusive, and thriving communities. From the stadium to the student section, the impact of athletics is undeniable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to explore what\u2019s possible? Contact GMB to see how our teams can elevate your school\u2019s athletic experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"gradient-banner__section green  alignfull\">\n    <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull gradient-banner__cover\" style=\"min-height:391px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim has-background-gradient\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(90deg,\n            rgb(5,\n            60,\n            60) 25%,\n            rgb(42,\n            29,\n            62) 100%)\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center gradient-banner__heading has-gmb-green-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d40565a732bc75ed19c72c5d48b9e09a\">Want to learn more?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center gradient-banner__paragraph has-link-color wp-elements-5b5c16a06ff200777645df593283f665\">Interested in how you can make a difference as part of our Team of Teams? Visit our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gmb.com\/careers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">careers page<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a9ec4887 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);margin-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/contact-us\/\">Let&#8217;s talk<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:4rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-text-overlay\">Related Insights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"work-listings__section alignfull\">\n    <div class=\"work-listings__wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"work-listings__container\">\n            <div class=\"swiper\">\n                <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n                                                            <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                        <div class=\"results-card\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/playscapes-through-the-years-adapting-outdoor-spaces\/\">\n                                <div class=\"results-card-image-container work\">\n\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Saugatuck-Douglas-Elementary-e1748637888844-1024x459.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"results-card-image work\">\n                                <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"results-card-content-container\">\n                                    <div class=\"results-card__taxonomy-container\">\n                                        <span class=\"primary-text\">Architecture &amp; Engineering, K-12 Education, Sports &amp; Recreation<\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                    <h3 class=\"results-card-title\">Playscapes Through the Years: Adapting Outdoor Spaces for Growth and Learning<\/h3>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                        <div class=\"results-card\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/woodhaven-high-schools-athletics-complex-wins-silver-at-asba-2024-facility-awards\/\">\n                                <div class=\"results-card-image-container work\">\n\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/WW-dugout.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"results-card-image work\">\n                                <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"results-card-content-container\">\n                                    <div class=\"results-card__taxonomy-container\">\n                                        <span class=\"primary-text\">Awards, K-12 Education, Sports &amp; Recreation<\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                    <h3 class=\"results-card-title\">Woodhaven High Schools Athletics Complex Wins Silver at ASBA 2024 Facility Awards<\/h3>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                        <div class=\"results-card\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/hudsonville-public-schools-new-indoor-facility-wins-asba-top-multipurpose-fieldhouse-award\/\">\n                                <div class=\"results-card-image-container work\">\n\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_5066_N201_casestudy-edit-1024x443.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"results-card-image work\">\n                                <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"results-card-content-container\">\n                                    <div class=\"results-card__taxonomy-container\">\n                                        <span class=\"primary-text\">Awards, K-12 Education, Sports &amp; Recreation<\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                    <h3 class=\"results-card-title\">Hudsonville Public Schools New Indoor Facility Wins ASBA Top Multipurpose Fieldhouse Award<\/h3>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                        <div class=\"results-card\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/robotics-programs-shine-in-purpose-built-facilities\/\">\n                                <div class=\"results-card-image-container work\">\n\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_5112-1024x578.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"results-card-image work\">\n                                <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"results-card-content-container\">\n                                    <div class=\"results-card__taxonomy-container\">\n                                        <span class=\"primary-text\">Architecture &amp; Engineering, K-12 Education, Sports &amp; Recreation<\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                    <h3 class=\"results-card-title\">Robotics Programs Shine in Purpose-Built Facilities<\/h3>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                        <div class=\"results-card\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/natural-vs-synthetic-fields-and-the-cost-of-ownership\/\">\n                                <div class=\"results-card-image-container work\">\n\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_4870_N202_jpg_1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"results-card-image work\">\n                                <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"results-card-content-container\">\n                                    <div class=\"results-card__taxonomy-container\">\n                                        <span class=\"primary-text\">Higher Education, K-12 Education, Sports &amp; Recreation<\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                    <h3 class=\"results-card-title\">Natural vs. Synthetic Fields and the Cost of Ownership<\/h3>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                                            <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                        <div class=\"results-card\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/sparta-area-schools-high-school-tennis-complex-wins-american-sports-builders-association-top-outdoor-tennis-award-for-2023\/\">\n                                <div class=\"results-card-image-container work\">\n\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_5228_N18_jpg-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Sparta Area Schools High School Tennis Complex\" class=\"results-card-image work\">\n                                <\/div>\n                                <div class=\"results-card-content-container\">\n                                    <div class=\"results-card__taxonomy-container\">\n                                        <span class=\"primary-text\">Awards, K-12 Education, Sports &amp; Recreation<\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                    <h3 class=\"results-card-title\">Sparta Area Schools High School Tennis Complex Wins American Sports Builders  Association Top Outdoor Tennis Award for 2023<\/h3>\n                                <\/div>\n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                        <div class=\"swiper-slide-placeholder\"><\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"wl-arrow-wrapper\">\n                    <div class=\"wl-arrow-container\">\n                        <div class=\"swiper-button-prev wl-arrow-prev\"><\/div>\n                        <div class=\"swiper-button-next wl-arrow-next\"><\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-text-overlay has-large-font-size\">Tags<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"tag-carousel__section alignfull\">\n    <div class=\"tag-carousel__wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"tag-carousel-swiper swiper\">\n            <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n                                                <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                    <span class=\"tag-carousel__tag\"><a href=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/tag\/student-experience\/\">student experience<\/a><\/span>\n                <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"swiper-button-prev tag-carousel-arrow-prev\"><\/div>\n        <div class=\"swiper-button-next tag-carousel-arrow-next\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:32px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>School athletics may be characterized as an extracurricular activity, but their influence extends far beyond the playing field. In both K\u201312 and higher education, athletic programs and facilities have a powerful effect in shaping institutional branding, strengthening school culture, building community pride, and even influencing enrollment decisions. When thoughtfully integrated, athletics become a strategic asset [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":909,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[157,158,167],"tags":[184],"class_list":["post-18433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-higher-education","category-k-12-education","category-sports","tag-student-experience"],"acf":[],"image_url":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_4551_N167_casestudy-300x225.jpg","image_alt":"","readable_date":"May 23, 2025","mod_excerpt":"The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the national organization ...","mod_title":"The Impact of Athletics on School Identity and Success","category_name":["Higher Education","K-12 Education","Sports &amp; Recreation"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Impact of Athletics on School Identity and Success<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Impact of Athletics on School Identity and Success\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"School athletics may be characterized as an extracurricular activity, but their influence extends far beyond the playing field. In both K\u201312 and higher education, athletic programs and facilities have a powerful effect in shaping institutional branding, strengthening school culture, building community pride, and even influencing enrollment decisions. When thoughtfully integrated, athletics become a strategic asset [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"GMB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/GMB-Architecture-Engineering\/444579698921237\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-05-23T19:00:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-08-21T18:06:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_4551_N167_casestudy.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1282\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"960\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Hannah Pier-Herendeen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Hannah Pier-Herendeen\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"41 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/insights\\\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/insights\\\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Hannah Pier-Herendeen\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/18dc00ea31c7a91fafbde590981f29e8\"},\"headline\":\"The Impact of Athletics on School Identity and Success\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-23T19:00:52+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-21T18:06:24+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/insights\\\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":857,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/insights\\\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/07\\\/5_4551_N167_casestudy.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"student experience\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Higher Education\",\"K-12 Education\",\"Sports &amp; Recreation\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/insights\\\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/insights\\\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\\\/\",\"name\":\"The Impact of Athletics on School Identity and Success\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/insights\\\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/insights\\\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/07\\\/5_4551_N167_casestudy.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-23T19:00:52+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-21T18:06:24+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/insights\\\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/insights\\\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/insights\\\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/07\\\/5_4551_N167_casestudy.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/07\\\/5_4551_N167_casestudy.jpg\",\"width\":1282,\"height\":960},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/insights\\\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The Impact of Athletics on School Identity and Success\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"GMB\",\"description\":\"Abundance in Education\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"GMB\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/GMB-Logo-Full-Color.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/GMB-Logo-Full-Color.png\",\"width\":2400,\"height\":1200,\"caption\":\"GMB\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/pages\\\/GMB-Architecture-Engineering\\\/444579698921237\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/gmb-ae\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/gmb_ae\\\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/18dc00ea31c7a91fafbde590981f29e8\",\"name\":\"Hannah Pier-Herendeen\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/205bc02c5b12940f6c9bb2440c2db2fe2a66051cab058dd73f71a7f3d9a314e9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/205bc02c5b12940f6c9bb2440c2db2fe2a66051cab058dd73f71a7f3d9a314e9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/205bc02c5b12940f6c9bb2440c2db2fe2a66051cab058dd73f71a7f3d9a314e9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Hannah Pier-Herendeen\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gmb.com\\\/author\\\/hannahp\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Impact of Athletics on School Identity and Success","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Impact of Athletics on School Identity and Success","og_description":"School athletics may be characterized as an extracurricular activity, but their influence extends far beyond the playing field. In both K\u201312 and higher education, athletic programs and facilities have a powerful effect in shaping institutional branding, strengthening school culture, building community pride, and even influencing enrollment decisions. When thoughtfully integrated, athletics become a strategic asset [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/","og_site_name":"GMB","article_publisher":"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/GMB-Architecture-Engineering\/444579698921237","article_published_time":"2025-05-23T19:00:52+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-08-21T18:06:24+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1282,"height":960,"url":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_4551_N167_casestudy.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Hannah Pier-Herendeen","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Hannah Pier-Herendeen","Est. reading time":"41 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/"},"author":{"name":"Hannah Pier-Herendeen","@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/#\/schema\/person\/18dc00ea31c7a91fafbde590981f29e8"},"headline":"The Impact of Athletics on School Identity and Success","datePublished":"2025-05-23T19:00:52+00:00","dateModified":"2025-08-21T18:06:24+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/"},"wordCount":857,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_4551_N167_casestudy.jpg","keywords":["student experience"],"articleSection":["Higher Education","K-12 Education","Sports &amp; Recreation"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/","url":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/","name":"The Impact of Athletics on School Identity and Success","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_4551_N167_casestudy.jpg","datePublished":"2025-05-23T19:00:52+00:00","dateModified":"2025-08-21T18:06:24+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_4551_N167_casestudy.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/5_4551_N167_casestudy.jpg","width":1282,"height":960},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/insights\/the-impact-of-athletics-on-school-identity-and-success\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Impact of Athletics on School Identity and Success"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/","name":"GMB","description":"Abundance in Education","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/#organization","name":"GMB","url":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/GMB-Logo-Full-Color.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/GMB-Logo-Full-Color.png","width":2400,"height":1200,"caption":"GMB"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/GMB-Architecture-Engineering\/444579698921237","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/gmb-ae\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/gmb_ae\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/#\/schema\/person\/18dc00ea31c7a91fafbde590981f29e8","name":"Hannah Pier-Herendeen","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/205bc02c5b12940f6c9bb2440c2db2fe2a66051cab058dd73f71a7f3d9a314e9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/205bc02c5b12940f6c9bb2440c2db2fe2a66051cab058dd73f71a7f3d9a314e9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/205bc02c5b12940f6c9bb2440c2db2fe2a66051cab058dd73f71a7f3d9a314e9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Hannah Pier-Herendeen"},"url":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/author\/hannahp\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18433","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18433"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18433\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gmb.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}