The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s athletic program, whose football team is currently undefeated and won the Division III National Championship last year, has helped boost the local economy by bringing in millions of dollars in revenue, according to a report issued by the university.

The report determined the UW-Whitewater athletic program has an annual total economic impact of more than $2.7 million in the Walworth, Rock and Jefferson counties, with around 40 regional jobs existing only because of the impact of Whitewater’s athletics and its intercollegiate events.

Paul Plinske, UW-Whitewater’s athletics director, said the incoming revenue would be able to help all of the universities’ athletic programs advance.

Plinske said that the increased revenue was most likely linked to the success in recent years of UW-Whitewater’s football team, especially since they are currently undefeated this year.

Plinske said that most of the incoming revenue is attributed to ticket revenue, concession stand sales, aid from the student government, the university charging for parking and merchandise. They are also helped by people coming into the city to see the games and then are using money at local businesses.

“With our success, we are in a good position to attract crowds from Milwaukee, Illinois and even Madison,” Plinske said.

According to a statement from the university the analysis looked at three elements to find the economic impact: spectator spending habits, the athletic department payroll and budgets of all 20 athletic teams.

Using this, researchers concluded UW-Whitewater athletic programs directly inject more than $1.8 million into the regional economy, with the total amount raising up to $2.7 million after factoring in indirect impacts and growth generated by the athletics money.

Plinske said that attendance averages at just under 9,000 people per football game, with both the Homecoming and Family Day games averaging around 12,000 Warhawk fans.

He said comparatively UW-Whitewater’s opponents at the Division III National Championship for the past five years, the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio, averages only about 4,000 spectators per game.

UW-Whitewater appears to be heading for another showdown with Mount Union. Both teams are in the currently in the final four and will face each other Dec. 18 if they win their next games.

“The major underlying theme is success of our student athletes and coaches who have helped push this, bringing attention and excitement to the university,” Plinske said.

The Warhawks play their next game Saturday in Dover, Del., against Wesley College.