Falk College’s Department of Sport Management is pleased to recognize the outstanding work of its undergraduate and graduate students in the Class of 2022 in sport management, sport analytics and sport venue and event management. The Department of Sport Management held an awards celebration on Friday, May 13 in Falk College. Students who were recognized for academic excellence, philanthropic work and post-graduate plans included:
- 2022 Falk College Marshall: Mackenzie Mangos, Sport Analytics
- 2022 Sport Management Marshal: Connor Howard
- 2022 Sport Analytics Marshal: Samual (Ben) Ayers
- 2022 Sport Venue and Event Management graduate student Marshal: Camryn DeLucie
Falk Scholars
Sport Analytics majors Drew DiSanto, Preston Klaus, Mackenzie Mangos, Dominic Samangy and Cooper Shawver have been named Falk Scholars. Falk College Scholars represent undergraduate students in Falk College who display academic excellence, exceptional campus and community engagement, and personal integrity.
Berlin Sport Analytics Scholars
These 16 Sport Analytics seniors were named Berlin Scholars for the 2021-2022 academic year. The scholarship is named for Andrew Berlin, who donated $1 million to SU’s sport analytics program in 2018. Samual Ayers, Evan Baum, Kevin Ivers, Preston Klaus, Jared Lavigueur, Mackenzie Mangos, Connor Meissner, Daniel Nagle, Michael O’Connor, Dominic Samangy, Chase Seibold, Cooper Shawver, Quinn Spangler, Christopher Thomas, Ward Walton and Seth Warner.
Sport Management Academic Achievement Awards
These students achieved a GPA of 3.4 or higher for every semester at Syracuse University: Jenna Tivnan, Joao Murray, Margaret Monzo, Danielle Parr, Lucas Prestamo, Devan Dachisen, Connor Howard, Matthew Davis, Zichen Lu, Caitlin Donoghue, Luke Adelstein, Dylan Kelly, Harrison Rayhill, Christian Buonadonna, Kira Sebastianelli, Jakob Fox, Rachel Duke, Ryan Dilts, Yueyang Li.
Sport Analytics Academic Achievement Awards
These students achieved a GPA of 3.4 or higher for every semester at Syracuse University: Benjamin Allen, Samual Ayers, Evan Baum, Joshua Danzig, Drew Disanto, Brian Drew, Colin Hardy, Justin Harrington, Gabriel Herz, Kevin Ivers, Preston Klaus, Jared Lavigueur, Mackenzie Mangos, Connor Meissner, Daniel Nagle, Michael O’Connor, Dominic Samangy, Cooper Shawver, Ryan Song, Quinn Spangler, Seth Warner, David Zukowski.
Director’s Award
Margaret Monzo
This award is presented to a student with a GPA of 3.5 or higher; a person who is a strong ambassador for the department; demonstrates exemplary service to the community; possesses strong professional sport industry experience; and is a strong mentor for other Sport Management majors.
Margaret (Megan) served as the 2021 co-chair for the Sport Management Club’s Annual Charity Sports Auction and was on the executive board for Women in Sports and Events in 2020. She gained industry experience with organizations like Queensboro FC and the Syracuse Crunch in their business development and community relations departments. Megan completed her senior Capstone internship at TPC Sawgrass – Home of THE PLAYERS Championship – in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. She has accepted a full-time job to remain with TPC Sawgrass upon graduation.
Sport Management Director’s Award for Academic Promise
Joseph Eovaldi
This award is presented to a student who will attend graduate or professional school; has attained a GPA of 3.5 or higher; a person who is a strong ambassador for the department; demonstrates exemplary service to the community; possesses strong professional sport industry experience; and is a strong mentor for other Sport Management majors.
Joey is a member of SU’s cross country and track and field programs and a member of the student-athlete advisory committee. Joey is most interested in combining his passion for serving others with analytics to create solutions for athletes suffering from poor mental health. Joey is enrolled in Syracuse University’s iSchool for a Master in Applied Data Science.
Academic Excellence Award
Jenna Tivnan
The Academic Excellence Award recognizes a student with a grade-point average of 3.8 or higher. It is my honor to present the 2022 Academic Excellence Award to.
Jenna is student and athlete personified. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her undergraduate career and was co-captain for the Syracuse women’s soccer program her senior season. Jenna has been on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll every semester and was named to the 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-District 1 Team in 2021. She was awarded a Women in Sports Tech fellowship in the summer of 2021 which gave her the opportunity to work as an Accelerator Intern for Comcast SportsTech. Most recently, she completed her Capstone with Zoomph as a Data Analytics intern.
Matt Brodsky Philanthropic Excellence Award
Luca Giacobbe
This award is named after Matt Brodsky, a sport management major, who passed away unexpectedly in 2013. In his honor the department created an award that stems from his philanthropic excellence while he was a student at Syracuse University. This award is presented to a student who displays outstanding service to both the campus and greater Syracuse communities; demonstrates exemplary citizenship and philanthropic qualities; serves as a mentor for students by establishing outreach opportunities for the Department and University; and is an exemplary representative of Sport Management.
Luca completed his senior Capstone with the Montag Group. He served as co-chair of the 2021 SPM Club’s Charity Sports Auction. Prior to that, Luca served as the Website Committee Chair, Sales Committee Member, and a Donations Committee Member. Luca interned with the Tackle What’s Next Foundation as well. He has been involved all four years within the sport management program and within the community.
Sport Management Professional Engagement Award
Devan Dachisen
This award is presented in recognition of a student’s real-world experience; work ethic; dedication; professional demeanor and career development as an undergraduate student and representative of the Department of Sport Management. This student’s outstanding academic achievements, coupled with strong citizenship and community service, typify the hard work, dedication, and preparation that you made throughout your academic career at Syracuse University.
Devan finished her degree in December 2021 after completing her senior Capstone internship with Queensboro FC. Always a friendly face around the office, Devan was always the student that introduced herself to her peers and faculty during Opening Weekend; she served on the executive boards for the Sport Sales Club and the Sport Management Club; she was appointed President of the Women in Sports and Events Club and created their inaugural “Women in Sports Week” in Spring 2021. She was an integral part of the SPM Club’s Charity Auctions, managing inventory, creating programs, and serving as a mentor for club members. Devan has been working as a Sponsorship & Activation Trainee at MKTG since January and will continue with the company full-time beginning this summer.
Jason Morales Perseverance in Sports and Life Award
Danielle Parr
This award is named in honor of Jason Morales, a sport management student who passed away while completing his Senior Capstone in New York City in 2013. This award is given to a student who has demonstrated persistence, perseverance, and a positive motivation throughout his/her academic career while striving to be their best when confronted with life’s challenges.
Danielle has been very involved on campus during her time here at Syracuse University. She served as a Falk College Peer Ambassador, an officer with the Syracuse Club Water Polo Team and a leader for the Syracuse Sports Business Conference. She completed her senior Capstone this semester with Grit Player Services, and we are pleased to announce that Danielle will stay on with Grit after graduation in a full-time position. This award exemplifies her hard work and dedication while demonstrating persistence and positive motivation to attain her best when confronted with life’s challenges.
Sport Management VIP Award
Joao Paulo Forman Murray
The Sport Management VIP Award is presented to a student with outstanding service to the department; has engaged in a variety of experiential learning and sport industry experiences; actively volunteers to serve the department and University on a regular basis; demonstrates strong professionalism, and outstanding character; and serves as an ideal role model for other Sport Management majors.
Joao is a dual major in Sport Management and Economics. After being challenged with his microeconomics course as a Freshman, he added the economics major. Joao will complete his Senior Capstone this summer. While at SU, he served as President of the Brazilian Student Association, where he has revitalized the association’s presence on the Syracuse University campus. He has held internships with The Post Game, Queensboro FC, and Rookie Road to name a few.
Kate Veley Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility Award
Jakob Fox
The Kate Veley Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility Award is presented to an undergraduate senior who has “given back to the community they’ve called home for the past four years.” Kate worked at Syracuse University for more than 15 years and was instrumental in the planning of the annual Sports Charity Auctions. She now works as the Director of Corporate Philanthropy for Make A Wish of Central New York. This student has continually demonstrated strong volunteerism and philanthropic effort to improve the lives of others within the greater Syracuse community, and in so doing, set an example for us all.
Jakob served as the 2021 co-chair for the Sport Management Club’s Annual Charity Sports Auction. He was involved all four years serving a variety of roles including Executive Vice President, Graphic Design Chair, and Auction committee member. He spent countless hours to make the event a success. Jakob was also a member of the Sports Sales Club. Most recently, he completed his senior Capstone with Athlelo Group.
Patrick Ryan Sport Technology Award
Rachel Duke
This inaugural award is named after Professor Emeritus Patrick Ryan, who taught at Syracuse University for 15 years before retiring in May 2021. He taught and created all of the Sport Technology courses for our department. Prior to coming to SU, Professor Ryan worked in the technology industry for more than 30 years. This award recognizes a student’s entrepreneurial spirit and academic excellence while utilizing technology to enhance personal skills.
Rachel completed her senior Capstone with the Southern Texas PGA this semester. Upon joining the sport management program in her sophomore year, Rachel found her passion in creating media through completing an independent study in sport photography with Professor Ryan in addition to serving as an intern in the Athletic Department’s communications office. Additionally, Rachel represented the University at the NCAA Leadership Conference last spring.
Sport Analytics Academic Excellence Award
Preston Klaus
This award is in recognition of a student’s outstanding academic achievement and overall scholarship in Sport Analytics.
Preston is a Berlin Scholar and a Falk College Scholar. He has served as president of the Basketball Analytics Club, attended the MIT/Sloan Sport Analytics Conference and was part of winning teams at the SABR Diamond Dollars Case Competition and the UMass Amherst NBA Mock Trade Deadline Competition. He served as a Falk College Admissions Ambassador and Peer Advisor. After graduation, Preston will be continuing his studies at Syracuse University in the Finance Master in the Whitman School of Management.
Sport Analytics Academic Excellence Award
Jared LaVigueur
This award is in recognition of a student’s outstanding academic achievement and overall scholarship in Sport Analytics.
Jared is a Berlin Scholar, has served as the vice president of the Basketball Analytics Club and has interned with TBT, ISlide and Zensah. He was part of the winning team at the 2022 Milwaukee Bucks’ hackathon. After graduation, Jared will be working for The Basketball Tournament (TBT) as an Event Coordinator.
Sport Analytics Director’s Award for Academic Promise
Michael O’Connor
This award is in recognition of a student’s plans to attend post-graduate education, demonstrating exemplary service to the community, and serving as an ambassador and mentor to students in Sport Analytics.
Michael is a Berlin Scholar, president of the Football Analytics Club, has worked as an analytics intern for RotoUnderworld and is also president of the Otto Tunes a cappella group. He has served as the Sport Analytics Living Learning Community Resident Advisor for the past two years and as a teaching assistant in the Berlin Sport Analytics Summer Academy. After graduation, Michael will enroll in SU’s Master in Broadcast and Digital Journalism through the Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Sport Analytics Director’s Award for Academic Promise
Kevin Ivers
This award is in recognition of a student’s plans to attend post-graduate education, demonstrating exemplary service to the community, and serving as an ambassador and mentor to students in Sport Analytics.
Kevin is a Berlin scholar, president of the Soccer Analytics Club, has been an active member of the Football Analytics and Basketball Analytics Clubs and interned with the 33rd Team. This year, he led a group of students helping to advance the use of data with SU’s men’s soccer program and spent the spring semester as a data analytics intern for MLS franchise Orlando City SC. After graduation, Kevin will pursue his Master in Applied Data Science from SU’s School of Information Studies.
Sport Analytics Research Excellence Award
Daniel Nagle
This award is in recognition of a student’s demonstrated commitment and success in academic research, presentation and publication in Sport Analytics.
Daniel is a Berlin Scholar, a Renee Crown University Honors student and has spent significant time focused on research. He has been an active member of various analytics clubs and is the president and co-captain of the SU men’s club water polo team. Daniel was selected to represent Syracuse University at the 2022 ACC Meeting of the Minds conference hosted by the University of Virginia, where he gave an oral presentation on his research titled “Optimization of Formula 1 Driver Pairs.” After graduation, Daniel plans to continue his education by pursuing a Master in Analytics at Georgia Tech.
Sport Analytics Research Excellence Award
Dominic Samangy
This award is in recognition of a student’s demonstrated commitment and success in academic research, presentation and publication in Sport Analytics.
Dominic served as a manager for the SU men’s basketball team for the past four years. He is a Berlin Scholar and a Falk College Scholar. He has collaborated with classmates and professors on research covering basketball and soccer. He presented at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference and Carnegie Mellon Sports Analytics Conference. Dom will travel to England next week to present joint research with Dr. Ehrlich titled focusing on the “Efficiency of Shot Selection in the English Premier League” at the 8th Annual Western Conference on Football and Finance. Later this month, he will head to the University of Arkansas, where he begins his two-year role as a Graduate Assistant Coach and Analytics Coordinator for the Men’s Basketball Program.
Sport Analytics Research Excellence Award
Quinn Spangler
This award is in recognition of a student’s demonstrated commitment and success in academic research, presentation and publication in Sport Analytics.
Quinn is a Berlin Scholar and also serves as a Falk College peer advisor. He has interned with the Johnstown Tomahawks, SU Athletics, SponsorUnited, City Rocks AAU Basketball and Tracking Football. He has presented his research at the Academy of Economics and Finance and in fall 2021, his undergraduate research finished third in the New York State Economics Association Undergraduate Paper Competition. He is working with Dr. Losak on a research project aimed at “Identifying behavioral biases in March Madness bracket selection”. Following graduation, Quinn will join the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he has accepted a full-time role as a Data Analyst.
Sport Analytics VIP Award
Samual “Ben” Ayers
This award is in recognition of a student’s outstanding service, volunteerism, strong academic standing, leadership and serving as a role model to students in Sport Analytics.
Ben is a Berlin Scholar, a Falk Ambassador and an active member of various student organizations. He has worked for the Syracuse University men’s basketball and football programs, spent two years as an intern with the Oklahoma City Thunder and is co-founder of the Syracuse University Football Analytics Blitz undergraduate case competition. He was part of a winning team at the 2020 SABR Diamond Dollars case competition, as well as a member of the winning team in the 2022 Milwaukee Bucks’ hackathon. Ben has been selected as the Sport Analytics department marshal for the 2022 ceremonies. After graduation, Ben will be working as a Content Specialist for Sony Interactive Entertainment, with specific responsibilities for MLB The Show.
Sport Analytics Game Changer Award
Mackenzie Mangos
This award is in recognition of a student’s positive impact on fellow Sport Analytics students as well as their unyielding dedication, professional skills, and commitment to succeed. This student has “changed the game” and made a difference in this program.
Mackenzie is a Berlin Scholar and a Falk College Scholar. She fulfilled her graduation requirements in three years, completed minors in economics and information management and technology, participated in baseball case competitions, secured prominent internships and published research. She is the founder and president of the Sport Analytics Women Club. She was named a 2022 Falk College class marshal, a role in which she delivered a speech at the Falk College Convocation May 14 and lead Falk College graduates at SU’s Commencement on May 15. After graduation, Mackenzie will join the New York Yankees as a quantitative analysis associate in the baseball operations department.
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Hannah Gigliotti
Since beginning this program last July, Hannah showed tremendous enthusiasm, leadership, and perseverance. She served as a graduate assistant and spent countless hours assisting with department functions and needs. She took on whatever task was asked and was a pleasure to have around. She played a key leadership role in the planning and execution of this year’s charity event. She juggled multiple tasks, always gave her best and never gave up when things got difficult. Hannah’s outstanding academic achievements, coupled with her strong leadership, and respect that she earned from faculty members and her peers, make her a role model for future graduate students. Hannah has accepted a full-time position as the Coordinator of Facilities and Events with Towson University Athletics.