Alumni loyalty is a relevant research field, which includes different possibilities for investigation. This dissertation focuses on the particularly relevant research gaps in the AL literature. Specifically, this thesis adds to the AL research by developing a more accurate conceptual IAL model for the explanation and prediction of AL. This model includes main internal and external factors (i.e., gender and culture) and could serve as a basis for further theoretical research or could be applied in practice as it is. The findings of this thesis provide deeper insight into the mechanism of alumni university interactions and help to implement an effective, pragmatic plan of AL by taking into consideration cross-cultural and cross-gender differences of alumni. Specifically, the dissertation could be beneficial to educators, researchers, and managers. Educators could integrate the pertinent information into their teaching materials for courses in non-profit marketing and management. Researchers could use the provided reference tool and obtained findings to identify colleagues with similar research interests, to recognize directions for future investigation into the subject, and to develop a deeper and more detailed understanding of AL. The managers could use the results of this dissertation to determine areas which need to be stressed to enhance AL. Additionally, the derived ideas and strategies of AL could assist managers in better analyzing nonprofit organizations and developing an in-depth understanding of the commonalities across various types of alumni groups, “and patterns in the differences among them” (Pettit, 1999, p. 105). The author of this thesis believes that the dissertation can bring “a new era to alumni research” by developing a body of research-based knowledge about a variety of important issues related to AL (Pettit, 1999, p. 105).

Previous research has indicated the majority of athlete alumni do not give charitable donations to their alma mater or athletics department. With over 4 million former National Collegiate Athletic Association student-athletes, these athlete alumni should have an inherent affinity for their athletics department. The purpose of this research study was to examine the relationship between a student-athlete career preparation program (“Career Program”) and athlete alumni affinity for the athletics department. This study uses the theoretical framework of Social Exchange Theory to examine if an athlete alumni’s affinity for their athletics department increases when they receive support for their career launch. The quantitative quasi-experimental study had two groups of athlete alumni, career program varsity athlete alumni and non-career program varsity athlete alumni, who graduated from one large, public university at the Football Championship Subdivision level. The intervention of the Career Program was provided to one group of athlete alumni. An athlete alumni affinity questionnaire was developed and administered to both groups. The questionnaire received a low response rate with 71 respondents. The Pearson chi-squared test did not show a relationship between athlete alumni affinity and the Career Program. There was no statistical difference indicated between the two groups for the five latent variables of (a) career preparedness, (b) communication, (c) connection, (d) student-athlete experience, and (e) undergraduate experience. Two athlete alumni affinity statements did show significance, and they were related to student-athletes developing a LinkedIn profile and professional resume.