Sport Management  News

Entirely student-run, the event will be hybrid, with bidding opening online via Classy Live on Dec. 8 and continuing in-person on Dec. 10, when the Syracuse University men’s basketball team takes on Albany in the JMA Wireless Dome. Online bidding will close at 8 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

The Rescue Mission strives to put “Love into Action” through providing emergency shelter, clothing, and three meals a day every day of the year in Onondaga County. Services including spiritual care, access to mental health professionals, substance abuse programming and physical health services.

“Hearing about all of the great things the Rescue Mission does solidified my determination to help those in need here at home,” says Paige Haines, director of events and community engagement at the Rescue Mission.

Over the past 19 years, the auction has raised more than $713,000 for Central New York nonprofit organizations. Featured items this year include a Kareem Abdul-Jabbar signed playing card, a guitar signed by Sting, a Carmelo Anthony signed Syracuse University jersey, and more.

To further the auction’s mission of community impact, this year’s auction title sponsor is Apex Entertainment. Apex’s support underscores the commitment to making a meaningful difference in the CNY community.

To learn more about the Charity Sports Auction and to register, visit the auction website. Follow on X (@SPM_Auction) and Instagram (@SPM_Auction) for the most up-to-date event information.

This story was submitted by students in the Sport Management Club.

The expanding Sport Analytics program in Falk College’s Department of Sport Management recently reached another significant milestone as it was granted the prestigious Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) designation.

This recognition from the U.S. Department of Education is a testament to the program’s academic rigor and alignment with the evolving needs of the sport analytics industry. The major, minor, and Certificate of Advance Study programs now stand alongside the Master of Science degree, which was launched in 2023. Under the leadership of Director Rodney Paul, the Sport Analytics program will be an anchor of the new David B. Falk College of Sport, the first college on a high-research activity campus (R1) to focus on sport-related disciplines.

The College of Sport, which will officially start July 1, 2025, will also include a new research institute focused on sport and will connect business, digital media, technology, and other areas to fuel innovation in sport and health outcomes.

“For Falk College, this elevates our programs to be on par with other schools and colleges who have a STEM designation,” says Jackie Dorchester, program coordinator for the Sport Analytics program. “This allows us to be eligible for grants and funding for quality research that will be a focus of the College of Sport – research that’s being done by students as well as faculty.”

To obtain the STEM designation, Dorchester undertook an extensive assessment of similar programs and diligently applied for the change in Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP). Following a comprehensive review process by Falk College, Syracuse University, and New York State, the designation was implemented at the start of the Fall 2024 semester. This meticulous process ensures the credibility and value of the STEM designation, particularly as the Department of Homeland Security uses CIP codes to determine STEM fields for student visa purposes.

While sport analytics students focus on sports, the skills they learn in the program cover a vast range of skills in demand in today’s job market, including mathematics and statistics, databases and SQL, programming languages, economics and econometrics skills, data science techniques, and effective communication.

This esteemed STEM designation will not only enhance the program’s reputation, but help it attract the best international students. It serves as a testament to the program’s commitment to prepare students for top analytics positions both in the United States and abroad.

“It broadens our applicant pool – enriching the variety of perspectives in our classrooms and programs – and opens doors for international students seeking study and employment opportunities through STEM-designated VISAs,” Dorchester says. “Domestically, it provides greater access to grants and federal funding for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring that education remains an inclusive and transformative opportunity for all.”

Visit the Department of Sport Management academic programs web page to learn more about sport management, sport analytics, and esports in Falk College.

On Nov. 13, Syracuse University announced a go-forward plan to reshape the future of its human dynamics programs and reposition them for short- and long-term success. Here are frequently asked questions about the announcement:

What is the main objective of reshaping Syracuse University’s human dynamics programs?

The primary goal is to reposition and strengthen these academic programs to ensure their success and growth both in the short- and long-term. By consolidating programs and aligning them with colleges that have stronger academic synergies, Syracuse University aims to enhance the community impact, drive enrollment growth, advance research excellence, and better serve students and the broader communities in human, health, and social services.

What specific changes are being made to the human dynamics programs?

The reshaping plan involves the following key changes:

• Human Development and Family Science will merge with Marriage and Family Therapy, becoming one department (i.e., HDFS) within the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Public Health will move to the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
• The School of Social Work will be housed in the School of Education.

These changes are designed to improve academic collaboration, expand research opportunities, and better align these programs with complementary academic disciplines.

When will these changes take effect?

The changes will go into effect on July 1, 2025. Students graduating before July 1, 2025, will participate in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics commencement ceremonies, and students graduating after July 1, 2025, will be participating in the commencement ceremonies of their new school or college. All students impacted by this transition will continue to receive their diploma from Syracuse University that includes their degree.

How were these changes determined?

These changes were based on an extensive four-month assessment conducted by the Human Dynamics Task Force, which involved input from faculty, students, alumni, and community stakeholders. The task force analyzed the current state of these disciplines, both on campus and at peer institutions, and provided recommendations, which in large part informed the go-forward plan.

Will students already enrolled in these programs be impacted by these changes?

Students currently enrolled in these programs will continue their studies as planned. Starting in Fall 2025, students enrolled in these programs will be placed within the school or college that houses their respective degree program.

Where will faculty and staff in the human dynamics programs be located after the changes?

Faculty and staff in the human dynamics programs will remain physically located in MacNaughton and White Halls–and Peck Hall for the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy–for the foreseeable future, even after the programs are realigned with other colleges.

What are the benefits of these changes for students and faculty?

For students, these changes will lead to stronger academic programs with greater interdisciplinary collaboration, enhanced research opportunities, and better preparation for future careers in human, health, and social services. For faculty, the realignment fosters stronger collaborations across colleges, supporting faculty scholarship and providing a more robust environment for research excellence.

Why is Syracuse University making these changes now?

The changes reflect Syracuse University’s commitment to adapting to the evolving educational landscape and ensuring that its human dynamics programs are positioned for long-term success. This restructuring will allow the programs to better meet the needs of students, faculty, and the communities they serve, while fostering greater academic synergies and promoting growth.

What role did the Human Dynamics Task Force play in these decisions?

The Human Dynamics Task Force, co-chaired by Falk College Associate Dean of Human Dynamics Rachel Razza and Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate School Peter Vanable, played a central role in assessing the current state of the programs, gathering feedback from stakeholders, and formulating strategic recommendations. Their work involved cross-disciplinary collaboration and was instrumental in shaping the final plan for the realignment of these programs.

What is the long-term vision for the human dynamics programs at Syracuse University?

The long-term vision is to create stronger, more integrated programs that foster greater collaboration across disciplines and elevate the university’s impact in fields like human development, public health, marriage and family therapy, and social work. By realigning these programs with other colleges, the university aims to drive enrollment growth, enhance research, and better prepare students for professional careers in the human, health, and social services fields.

Following four months of deliberate assessment and cross disciplinary collaboration by members of the Human Dynamics Task Force, Syracuse University today announced a go-forward plan to reshape the future of its human dynamics programs and reposition them for short- and long-term success. The plan includes the consolidation of two departments and relocation of all human dynamics programs from the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics to other schools and colleges with stronger academic synergies.

“From the beginning of this process, my priority has been developing and implementing a plan that repositions and strengthens the human dynamics academic programs, research and communitywide impact,” says Lois Agnew, interim vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer. “This repositioning elevates our human dynamics programs, fosters stronger collaborations across colleges, advances faculty scholarship and better serves our students and the communities we serve.”

In June, task force members began assessing the current state of the human dynamics disciplines, both on campus and at peer institutions, aggregating feedback from key stakeholders and compiling recommendations for how these programs can be positioned for success and growth in the future. As part of the go-forward plan:

• Marriage and family therapy will merge with human development and family science and become one department within the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Public health will join the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
• Social work will be housed in the School of Education.

These changes, informed in large part by task force recommendations, are designed to enhance the academic and community impact of these programs, grow enrollment, drive research excellence and strengthen the University’s long-standing commitment to preparing professionals to thrive in human, health and social services. They will go into effect July 1, 2025.

“I am grateful to the members of the task force for their thorough, thoughtful and strategic recommendations. I also extend my appreciation to the many students, faculty and staff who provided feedback along the way—through surveys, engagement sessions and other opportunities for submitting input. Their participation in this process and candid feedback were invaluable,” says Provost Agnew.

Today’s news follows an April announcement that the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics will become the Falk College of Sport, the first standalone college on an R1 campus that specifically focuses on sport through a holistic academic lens. As part of the Falk transformation, the University convened the Human Dynamics Task Force, co-chaired by Rachel Razza, associate dean for human dynamics, and Peter Vanable, associate provost and dean of the Graduate School. The task force, which consisted of human dynamics faculty representatives elected from each department, staff and community partners, delivered a final report to the provost last month.

“This work required a commitment to collaboration, a willingness to engage in challenging but necessary dialogue and a shared focus on the immediate and long-term future of the human dynamics academic disciplines,” says Vanable. “Associate Dean Razza and I are grateful to our fellow task force members for their time, dedication and outstanding work. We also appreciate the provost’s commitment to upholding the spirit of our recommendations and look forward to seeing these programs thrive in the future.”

Razza says, “Syracuse University has long been a leader in interdisciplinary education. The task force agreed that taking a reimagined approach to the human dynamics programs furthers our mission to provide students with a robust, future-focused education that emphasizes both theory and practice. I believe all members of the human dynamics community—students, faculty, staff and Central New York partners—benefit from this important realignment.”

Students currently enrolled in these programs will transition to their new schools and colleges effective July 1, 2025. Students enrolling in these programs in fall 2025 will matriculate into the school or college housing their academic program.

A Syracuse University News story originally published on Nov. 13, 2024.

When you combine a great storyteller with a lifetime of great stories, you get . . . Brandon Steiner.

Steiner, who graduated from Syracuse University in 1981 and served as founder and chairman of Steiner Sports Marketing and Memorabilia for more than 30 years, visited the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics earlier this fall to speak with students from Falk’s Department of Sport Management. Steiner is chair of Falk’s Sport Management Advisory Council.

From his humble beginnings growing up in a low-income neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, to working his way through Syracuse, to the creation of Steiner Sports Marketing and Memorabilia, and to the formation of his current companies, The Steiner Agency and Collectible Xchange, Steiner had plenty of colorful stories and business advice to share with the students.

Steiner first met with students from two Sport Management classes: Assistant Teaching Professor Alexia Lopes’ “Principles of Sport Management” class, and David B. Falk Endowed Professor of Sport Management Rick Burton’s “Managing the Sports Organization” class. Following the classes, Steiner had lunch with eight current sport management students (and one alum).

We asked two of those eight students, Erin Moore and Tynan Weathers, to discuss their experience with Steiner. Here’s what they wrote:

Erin Moore ‘25, Sport Management major, Emerging Sport Enterprise minor

“When given the opportunity to attend a lunch with Brandon Steiner, I couldn’t pass it up! From the moment he walked through the door, his passion for the sports industry was undeniable. Listening to his stories about working with New York Yankees legends like Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera was incredible and they showcased his passion for building personal relationships with clients and consistently delivering beyond expectations.

“It was also inspiring to hear how he’s mentoring younger players, like current Yankees infielder Oswaldo Cabrera, to help them develop not just on the field but in their careers beyond it. During the lunch, he stressed the importance of going the extra mile, thinking outside the box, and developing strong relationships—values that have been key to his success in the industry. Overall, I’m incredibly grateful to Mr. Steiner for taking the time to share his insights with us and to Falk College for offering such a unique opportunity.”

Tynan Weathers ’25, Sport Management major, Food Studies/Business minors

“Talking with Brandon Steiner was certainly an enlightening experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories he detailed to us with subjects ranging from Derek Jeter to Oswaldo Cabrera. Mr. Steiner has a passion for the sports industry as well as a major passion for Syracuse University and specifically the Sport Management program. His discussion on both the NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) space and women’s sports brought in real world cases of how he viewed issues and solutions.

“However, my favorite portion of the discussion is the fact that he seemed genuinely interested in our backgrounds, as he asked questions to learn more about who we are and our areas of interest moving forward. A major piece of advice I took away is the importance of being able to dedicate time and make sacrifices that others aren’t willing to make. That’s what puts you ahead of your competition.”

Steiner Student Support Fund

Last academic year, Steiner worked with the Falk College advancement team and Department of Sport Management to create the Brandon S. Steiner Sport Management Student Support Fund that “supports health, housing, education, and overall wellbeing of Syracuse University undergraduate students enrolled in the Department of Sport Management in Falk College.”

The Steiner Student Support Fund awards support for a single academic year, and students can apply for funds by completing this survey. A student can’t be awarded funding more than twice.

In addition to the Steiner Student Support Fund, there are other opportunities and awards available to students in Falk College. Please visit the Awards and Scholarships page on the Falk website for more information on how to apply.

When Kathrine Switzer ’68, G’72 famously became the first woman to officially run in the Boston Marathon in 1967, women in the United States could not apply for, yet alone own, their own credit cards.

In fact, women weren’t allowed to own credit cards until 1974, when the Equal Credit Opportunity Act enabled women and minorities to obtain credit cards and loans. That was a critical time for women in America, and Switzer continued the athletic and social revolution she started in 1967 by winning the New York City Marathon in 1974.

“In the 2024 New York City Marathon (on Nov. 3), there will be 52,000 runners and 27,000 will be women, and you can bet that all 27,000 have their own credit cards and will spend millions of dollars in New York City,” Switzer told students during a recent visit to the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.

Switzer, an emeritus member of the Falk College Department of Sport Management Advisory Council, visited Syracuse and Falk College Oct. 24 for a variety of reasons, including a discussion with Syracuse University Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center about creating a collection of Switzer’s artifacts related to her career and women in running. Switzer discusses this collection, her time at Syracuse, her Boston Marathon experience, and more in an entertaining ’Cuse Conversations podcast scheduled for early December.

At Falk, Switzer spent the afternoon speaking with students in the Sport Management “Race, Gender & Diversity in Sport Organizations” classes taught by Assistant Professor Lindsey Darvin. From breaking barriers in the Boston Marathon to becoming the driving force behind the inclusion of the women’s marathon in the Olympics starting in 1984, Switzer has been at the forefront of change in women’s sports, and she encouraged the students to “let your mind run wild” when thinking of the impact they can make.

“Look at the format of the (2024) Olympic Games in Paris and the events that took place there,” she said. “Whoever heard of half of these (sports), but they’re inspiring and viable. You have so many things you can get involved in and get creative with.

“Things may not be easy,” she added. “You’re going to hit a lot of brick walls, people may laugh at you, but stick with it, finish the job, and try to create something wonderful – and you will.”

Switzer has never stopped running – she is the first woman to run a marathon 50 years after her first one – and she has never stopped advocating for the inclusion of women in sports. In 2017, Switzer launched 261 Fearless as a global nonprofit organization to empower and unite women through the creation of local running clubs, educational programs, communication platforms, and social running events.

The number 261 is a nod to her bib number in the 1967 Boston Marathon that the race director tried to take from her. Switzer’s boyfriend, who was running along with her, pushed the director to the side and Switzer finished the race. Like Switzer on that day in Boston, 261 Fearless is focused on women’s empowerment and putting one foot in front of the other to finish the race.

“If you want to lift a woman up, show her how to run,” Switzer said. “We look at all the modern women out there running and there’s thousands and thousands of them, but there are also so many women across the world who are isolated or restricted by religious convention, or social convention, or social mores.”

Since its inception, 261 Fearless has trained and mentored over 500 coaches who have worked with nearly 7,000 women in 14 countries and five continents through education programs and women-only running clubs.

“After getting the women’s marathon in the Olympics Games, I thought that was great for women who can train and compete in a race but what about those women under a burqa Afghanistan or enslaved in their home with domestic abuse, how are we going to reach them?” Switzer said. “That’s what inspired us to create 261 Fearless.

“Suddenly, that old bib number became a number that meant fearless in the face of adversity,” she added. “From the worst things, come the best things. If something is wrong, there’s an opportunity to change it.”

At this year’s New York City Marathon – the 50th anniversary of Switzer’s win in the event – 261 Fearless created The Fearless 50, a team of 50 runners who are passionate about supporting women and understand the transformative power of running. As part of this initiative, The Fearless 50 is hosting a fundraising brunch on Nov. 2 and Falk College is a proud sponsor of that event where Switzer will be the featured speaker. The Falk College logo will also be featured on the bibs worn by The Fearless 50 runners.

“I was invited to attend all their weekend events, including a panel with Peloton, a panel with Kathrine Switzer, the brunch to commemorate the 50th anniversary of her victory at the New York City Marathon, and a cheer zone between Peloton and 261,” said Siket, who is a Falk College Peer Advisor and Ambassador and a member of the Charity Sports Auction team and the Sport Management and Women in Sports and Events (WISE) clubs.

“I am looking forward to marathon weekend as I will be able to interact with other volunteers, Kathrine Switzer, and others,’’ Siket said.

During the weekend, it’s likely that Switzer will at some point repeat the inspiring message that she gave to Falk College students during her visit when one asked about the best piece of advice Switzer had for them.

“Show up! Nothing happens when you stay at home,” Switzer told the students. “What’s out there may be scary, but you have to face it and that’s what opportunity is. When the world won’t give it you, you have to go out and get it.”

In 2018, Switzer delivered the commencement address at Syracuse University. To learn more about Switzer’s history and ongoing advocacy work, visit her marathonwoman.com website.

Emily and Stephen Kaplan could see it in their daughter’s eyes.

When then-high school junior Isabelle “Izzy” Kaplan visited Syracuse University in March 2023, the University had just announced it would be offering a new, first-of-its-kind degree program focused on esports starting in the fall of 2024. The Esports Communications and Management program would be offered jointly by the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics and the Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Kaplan was already interested in majoring in communications, but she also enjoyed playing esports and was excited when she heard about this new major during her visit. When she later told her mother that she wanted to attend Syracuse and enter this groundbreaking program, Emily Kaplan wondered what took her daughter so long.

“My parents support me being happy; they want the best for me,” Kaplan says. “They were there when I was told about this program, and they saw how my eyes lit up. When I mentioned it to my mom, she said, ‘You know, I’m surprised you’re just saying something about it now because I saw how you first looked, and I’d thought you’d immediately jump on that.’”

Kaplan, who’s from Long Island, New York, is now a member of the inaugural esports class. The program is unique because it features three tracks that combine elements of Falk College and the Newhouse School – esports business and management, esports communications, and esports media and design – and as Kaplan starts her academic career, she’s leaning toward the communications track.

But for now, first things first, and Kaplan is one of about 20 students taking Esports Executive Director and Professor of Practice Joey Gawrysiak’s Introduction to Esports class. Gawrysiak says the introductory class is designed to help students understand the esports ecosystem how it operates in society and at Syracuse, and to get them excited about the major because of the hands-on opportunities they’ll experience throughout all of their courses.

“An esports education is not about just classroom learning, and it’s not just about preparing students to work in esports,” says Gawrysiak, who built the esports program at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, before coming to Syracuse. “It’s about preparing them to have a very successful career by the time they graduate in whatever career it might be, whether it’s esports, esports adjacent, the entertainment industry, traditional sports, broadcast journalism, business, or whatever they might want to get into.”

As she navigates her first semester on campus, Kaplan is splitting her time with Newhouse and Falk, taking basic courses such as Communications 117 and 100 with Newhouse and Principles of Sport Management with Falk. To learn more about why Kaplan chose Syracuse and the esports major, we sat down with her for this Q&A:

How did you get interested in esports, and had you ever considered a career involving esports?

I was 3 or 4 years old when I got my first video game. We loved playing Mario Kart and all the Super Mario games, and it’s been present in my life ever since.

I didn’t think about taking a career approach to it until about last year, because I actually found out about it when I toured Syracuse for the first time. I was interested in communications, I was looking at Newhouse, and I met someone who was working on developing the (esports) program.

This was before any of these people (the esports staff) were here. So, it was still just an idea being developed and they said it’s a very new program, very experimental. Not a lot of other schools have tried it to this level, and I thought that was cool because I love video games, and I’m interested in the fact that it’s communications.

What was the discussion like with your parents when you told them you wanted to be an esports major?

They like innovation, and this was brand new. They were a little worried because especially over (COVID) quarantine, everyone was a bit of a hermit, and I was on video games a lot. And they were concerned that maybe I’d be playing it too much here.

But then I started explaining to them that it wasn’t really the playing aspect – it was more the communications, forming connections, and networking – and they were interested. They thought I could really do something with this, and they thought it was also super cool that this field is becoming more balanced with males and females.

Would you like get more involved with the management and production side of esports events on campus?

Yes, I’d love to be involved. I’m helping right now with the development of a club team, which will hopefully be a varsity team next year.

And it’s not just me. Everything here is very group oriented. You’re never alone doing this kind of stuff, which is nice, and I never feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. There’s always some sort of guidance or someone else who’s also clueless so you don’t feel as bad!

My main goal is to obviously be friendly with everyone here, but also find connections and network through this very connected area because everyone seems to know everyone in this. It’s a little scary, but it’s also super cool and convenient.

What do you envision your next four years to be like in this major?

For me and the program in general, everything is going to be very experimental because this is year one, it’s still brand new and so fresh. And I think that’s exciting because it’s a pilot program and everything’s still being developed. Classes are still being developed.

There are three paths that you could take with this, so that’s all still being figured out. And no one fully knows where you’re going to end up. But the fact that there’s a lot of flexibility with this makes it very interesting.

It’s going to be a good learning experience, not just as a student, but probably for everyone working here. And I think it’ll be successful.

This spring, Kaplan will have an opportunity to take the Business of Esports class with Gawrysiak, and the Esports Production class with Esports Communications and Management Co-Director and Newhouse Professor Olivia Stomski and College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor Chris Hanson. Gawrysiak says the students will be encouraged to engage in the program outside of the classroom through joining a team, helping to manage a team, managing one of the esports and gaming centers on campus, or taking advantage of travel abroad opportunities.

To learn more about the esports program, tracks of study, and experiential learning opportunities, please visit the Esports Communications and Management web page.

For sport management major Livia McQuade ’25, the path from the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at Syracuse University to Paris for the Paralympic Games went like this:

After learning about an internship opportunity with the Olympus Sports Group (OSG) on the Department of Sport Management Careers web page, McQuade reached out to Internship Placement Coordinator Beth Perez for more information. OSG is a management and marketing agency that provides top sponsorship opportunities and marketing strategies for Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Through Perez, McQuade learned that recent Sport Management graduates Elena Randolph ’24 and Jacob Bennett ’24 strongly endorsed OSG after both had interviewed with the organization and Bennett worked there as an athlete relations intern. From there, McQuade discovered that OSG’s Director of Athlete Relations Jessica Leonard ’16 was a Sport Management alumna and “connecting with her jumpstarted this experience from the first interview all the way to the Paralympics,” McQuade says.

“I preach that Falk College is better known as the ‘College of Opportunity’ and this internship is the purest reflection of that,” McQuade says.

Thanks to her Falk connections and stellar academic background, McQuade spent this past summer with OSG in Loveland, Colorado. McQuade, the executive vice president of the Sport Management Club in Falk College and co-chair of the club’s 2024 Charity Sports Auction, says she wants to work with the Olympic and Paralympic Movement following graduation and this internship has been an invaluable step in that process.

We asked McQuade to describe her experience working for OSG at the Paralympic Games in Paris and here’s what she wrote:

“Over the summer and into this Fall semester, I have been an athlete relations intern with Olympus Sports Group. I worked under OSG Founder and President and former U.S. speed skater Ian Beck and Syracuse University alumna Jessica Leonard, and much of my internship was centered around the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Through the summer months and while four of our Olympic swimmers were competing in Paris, I worked on the backend reviewing and supporting contract negotiations for athlete partnerships, preparing athletes’ speaking outlines, updating athlete websites, and project managing the upcoming book release for one of our most prominent athletes (Jessica Long).

“At the beginning of September, I took a hiatus from my classes in Falk to attend the Paralympics with OSG’s incredible leadership team and nine of our competing athletes. Our roles on the ground in Paris were largely dedicated to celebrating our athletes at their events; we cheered for Jessica Long in Para Swimming, Sarah Adam and Joe Delagrave in Wheelchair Rugby, Noah Malone and Susannah Scaroni in Para Track and Field, Dennis Connors and Jamie Whitmore in Para-Cycling, and Steve Serio and Trey Jenifer in Wheelchair Basketball. All while proudly decked out in USA apparel!

“All other responsibilities centered around any of our athletes’ media or speaking appearances. This included trips to Team USA House, Bridgestone House, and Toyota House, as well as a luncheon with Bank of America and International Paralympic Committee Board members. Of all the places and moments we witnessed, the one that sticks with me the most is attending Para Swimming: Seeing the notorious Olympic/Paralympic-sized pool, being in a packed arena, and just being in that atmosphere was an ‘I made it’ moment for me.

“I am incredibly grateful and fortunate to work with Ian and Jessica at OSG. For the remainder of the Fall semester, I am continuing to work with OSG in a limited role with the addition of our newly hired intern and Capstonee, Sport Management major (and Syracuse track and field hurdler) Kirstyn Schechter ’25. While Kirstyn takes over the responsibilities I held this summer, I will focus mostly on coordinating media opportunities and schedules for the release of Jessica Long’s new book, “Beyond the Surface,” set to publish on October 1!”

Interested in a career in the sport industry? Visit the Department of Sport Management webpage to learn more about academic programs, experiential learning, and career opportunities.

The Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics is proud to announce the promotion of the following eight distinguished faculty members for the 2024-25 academic year:

Jane Burrell and Mary Kiernan from the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies; Jennifer Genovese and Ryan Heath (with tenure) from the School of Social Work; Bryce Hruska (with tenure) from the Department of Public Health; Rachel Razza and Sara Vasilenko (with tenure) from the Department of Human Development and Family Science; and Patrick Walsh from the Department of Sport Management.

The departments’ Promotion and Tenure committees, along with the Falk College Promotion and Tenure Committee, recommended the promotions after reviewing the faculty members’ areas of teaching, scholarship, research, and service. Recommendations from the Falk committees and Falk College Dean Jeremy S. Jordan were submitted to the Syracuse University Office of Academic Affairs and the University’s Board of Trustees, which granted the promotions.

“The recent promotions at Falk College reflect the exceptional caliber of our faculty,” Jordan says. “These individuals have demonstrated outstanding achievements in teaching, scholarship, and service as rigorously evaluated by departmental and college-wide committees and external reviewers. Their advancement is a testament to their significant contributions and the high standards of excellence we uphold at Falk College and Syracuse University.”

Here’s a look at Falk College’s recently promoted faculty members:

Jane Burrell

Full Teaching Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

Jane Burrell, M.S., RD, CDN, joined Syracuse University as an Instructor of Nutrition in 2009 and became an Associate Teaching Professor in 2018. Burrell teaches a variety of courses exemplifying her value to the Nutrition and Science Dietetics program, and she had taken advantage of resources at Syracuse University and externally to constantly update her courses and pedagogical approaches.

Burrell received the 2023 Falk College Faculty of the Year Teaching Award, and her student teaching evaluations and peer evaluations are consistently excellent. She has contributed service to her profession, the community, Syracuse University, Falk College and her department in several ways, including as a consultant on nutrition education issues with McGraw Hill Publishing; private consultant with the Syracuse Crunch men’s professional hockey team and the Syracuse University women’s rowing and ice hockey teams; and as a member of the Faculty Senate’s Women’s Concerns Committee.

From Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Chair and Associate Professor Lynn Brann:

“Professor Burrell continually seeks new methods for delivering content and engaging with students. She brings her previous clinical practice work into the classroom to provide students with examples of real-life experiences. This is particularly relevant as she teaches courses within the accredited programs of nutrition and students can relate content to their future potential practice.

“Professor Burrell excels in teaching and has demonstrated effectiveness in teaching smaller graduate seminar courses as well as the large (380 person) introductory nutrition course. She provides leadership in teaching and learning within the nutrition programs and the department. Colleagues see her as a valued resource for sharing teaching methods and techniques for effectiveness. Additionally, Professor Burrell is highly available to students, and she provides a welcoming environment to students in her classes and beyond.”

Learn more about Jane Burrell.

Jennifer Genovese

Associate Teaching Professor, School of Social Work

Jennifer Genovese, A.C.S.W., Ph.D., joined Syracuse University as an adjunct instructor in both Child and Family Studies and Social Work in 2010 and became an Assistant Teaching Professor of Social Work in 2018. Genovese is a skilled and versatile instructor who teaches an impressive array of courses central to the Master of Social Work program.

Genovese’s students clearly enjoy her teaching style and commitment to her profession, and her ability to draw on her professional experience is a consistent theme in her students’ evaluations. She has contributed substantial service during her time at Falk College, including serving as the Master of Social Work Program Director and on several departmental committees; mentoring adjunct faculty; and advising the Social Workers United student group.

From School of Social Work Chair and Professor Carrie Smith:

“Jennifer Genovese is a well-respected and highly sought after mental health practitioner in Central New York. She is also an inspiring teacher. We are very pleased with her recent promotion to Associate Teaching Professor and excited about her continued contributions and leadership in our M.S.W. (Master of Social Work) program.”

Learn more about Jennifer Genovese.

Ryan Heath

Associate Professor with Tenure, School of Social Work

Ryan Heath, L.C.S.W., Ph.D., joined the Syracuse University faculty in 2018 and quickly established a productive and coherent research and grant agenda. Heath has been successful in securing external funding to support his research program. As of Spring 2024, he had been a part of over $15 million in external grants, with $685,000 being awarded to him directly.

This early success in securing external funding demonstrates strong potential future accomplishments related to funding. He is also an active early career scholar as evidenced by his 11 peer-reviewed articles, six of which he serves as lead author. Heath publishes in a wide range of journals, demonstrating the interdisciplinary focus of his scholarship.

From School of Social Work Chair and Professor Carrie Smith:

“The School of Social Work is very pleased that Ryan Heath was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure. Ryan’s research seeks to understand how organized activities during out-of-school time (OST) and community schools promote the healthy development of students from under-resourced backgrounds, students of color, and other historically marginalized youth. His community-engaged research holds great promise for building initiatives that will expand and improve community schools across Central and Western New York. We are proud to have him as our colleague.”

Learn more about Ryan Heath.

Bryce Hruska

Associated Professor with Tenure, Department of Public Health

Bryce Hruska, Ph.D., joined Syracuse University in 2015 as a Post-Doctoral Fellow, advanced to a Research Assistant Professor in 2017, and was appointed as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in 2018. During this time, he has established an effective and innovative curriculum/teaching/advising profile at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He typically teaches courses focused on research methods and data analysis and has reliably received high ratings on course evaluations.

Hruska has established a productive and coherent research and grant agenda. He has published 38 peer-reviewed articles in quality journals with 18 as lead author, establishing his ability to lead research activities. Hruska has an impressive record of external funding as evidenced by recent success in securing federal NIH (National Institutes of Health) funding.

From Department of Public Health Chair and Professor David Larsen:

“I’m very pleased to see Dr. Bryce Hruska earn promotion to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure,” Larsen says. “His research in traumatic stress holds great promise for better understanding and responding to the complex mental health burdens our society faces. I look forward to continuing to work with him, and am proud to have him as a colleague in the Public Health department.”

Learn more about Bryce Hruska.

Mary Kiernan

Full Teaching Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

Mary Kiernan, M.B.A., worked in events at the then-Carrier Dome starting 2000 and was elevated to Catering Manager before being hired as a Chef Instructor in the Nutrition and Hospitality Management program in 2007. She was appointed as an Associate Teaching Professor of Food Studies in 2018. The breadth of courses that Kiernan teaches across the Food Studies and Nutrition programs exemplifies her versatility and value to the department.

Kiernan goes beyond educating her students in culinary and food systems and mentors them for careers and life in general. Her many service contributions include serving as the Undergraduate and Minor Director for Food Studies, Co-Chair of the Syracuse University Community Review Board, and Faculty Senator, and being active in her profession with several local and state organizations.

From Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Chair and Associate Professor Lynn Brann:

“Professor Kiernan is reflective of what has worked in the classroom and uses this knowledge to improve the experience for students. Many of Professor Kiernan’s courses involve cooking/food labs. These hands-on experiences are where she shines in the classroom. Students’ knowledge, skills, and confidence grow over the course of a semester and often this is a result of much trial and error.

“In the Farm to Fork class, she guides students to use fresh local produce to create delicious and nourishing meals. In a different course, she leads nutrition students through the process of developing, procuring, and preparing three-course meals that are enjoyed by the campus and community. Professor Kiernan models professional skills and behaviors to students and supports them inside and outside of the classroom to find their passions.”

Learn more about Mary Kiernan.

Rachel Razza

Associate Dean of Human Dynamics and Full Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Science

Rachel Razza, Ph.D., joined Syracuse University in 2007 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2015. She is an accomplished scholar who has made significant contributions to the field of human development through peer reviewed journal articles, book chapters, academic presentations, and invited lectures. The research program she has established has been supported by external funding totaling nearly $700,000, with additional grant submissions currently under review.

Razza has made significant service contributions to the Department of Human Development and Family Science as chair, graduate program director, and member of several departmental and college committees. Her service contributions extend beyond Falk College as she has been a member of numerous University-level committees and an active leader in multiple professional organizations.

From Falk College Dean Jeremy S. Jordan:

“Dr. Rachel Razza’s promotion to Associate Dean reflects her exceptional contributions to our college. Her extensive research experience, leadership roles, and service commitments have prepared her well for this new position. As Associate Dean, Dr. Razza will undoubtedly leverage her expertise to further enhance our academic programs and research initiatives, continuing to make a significant impact on our college and the broader field of human dynamics.”

Learn more about Rachel Razza.

Sara Vasilenko

Associate Professor with Tenure, Department of Human Development and Family Science

Sara Vasilenko, M.S., Ph.D., joined the Syracuse University faculty in 2018 and since that time has developed six courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In 2022, she was nominated by her graduate students to receive the University-wide Excellence in Graduate Education Award, and she was honored with the Falk College 2020 Faculty of the Year in Research Award.

Vasilenko’s research has been funded by numerous internal and external grants from prestigious sources, including the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and National Institute on Drug Abuse. For an early career academic, Vasilenko has an impressive publication record with 67 peer-reviewed publications and nearly 2,500 citations of her work. Since arriving at Syracuse University, she has published 12 first-authored journal articles and five book chapters.

From Department of Human Development and Family Science Chair and Associate Professor Matthew Mulvaney:

“Dr. Vasilenko is both an excellent researcher and transformative mentor in our graduate program. The impact of her work is being felt throughout the field of adolescent health. Her innovative and complex research projects employ cutting-edge methodologies to answer some of the most pressing questions central to adolescent well-being.

“Her work is consistently published in the highest-ranked journals and widely cited. Dr. Vasilenko also serves as an exemplar of a scholar-mentor, training the next generation of scholars in her lab that will make further advancements to the field. She offers her time and expertise generously in order to train scholars to the very highest level and so has been recognized with the university-wide Excellence in Graduate Education Award. Her students in her classes and lab have the opportunity to make their own unique impact on the field through their own high-level scholarship.”

Learn more about Sara Vasilenko.

Patrick Walsh

Department Chair and Full Professor, Department of Sport Management

Patrick Walsh, Ph.D., joined Syracuse University in 2014 as Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport Management and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2017. His program of research focused on sport marketing and brand management has resulted in 39 peer-reviewed journal articles, establishing him as a leading scholar in the field.

Walsh has engaged in noteworthy department, college, university, and professional service activities. At the departmental level, he is coordinator for the Emerging Sport Enterprises Minor and the Sport Revenue Management and Operations Minor. At the college level, he has served on the Falk College Faculty Council, Promotion and Tenure Committee, and Grievance Committee.

From Falk College Dean Jeremy S. Jordan:

“Dr. Patrick Walsh’s appointment as department chair marks an exciting new chapter for our Sport Management program. His expertise in sport marketing and brand management, combined with his experience in program coordination and college service, positions him perfectly to lead the department. As chair, Dr. Walsh will undoubtedly enhance our curriculum, strengthen our research profile, and prepare our students for successful careers in the rapidly evolving sports industry.”

Learn more about Patrick Walsh.

The Sport Analytics program at Syracuse University and the Kumamoto Volters professional basketball team in Japan have announced a historic partnership for the 2024-25 season that will allow Syracuse sport analytics students to utilize data analysis to impact the team’s performance.

It’s the first partnership of this kind between an American college or university and a Japanese professional sports team. As part of this agreement, the sport analytics students and faculty from Syracuse University will work in different capacities with students and faculty from Kumamoto University, which is located on the Japanese island of Kyushu.

Kumamoto Basketball Co., Ltd., President and Chief Executive Officer Satoshi Yunoue said partnering with Syracuse’s prestigious Sport Analytics program will improve the team’s performance as it seeks to move from the Japanese B.League’s B2 league to the B1 league. The Volters open their season on Oct. 7.

“In recent years, the importance of data has been gaining attention, and we are confident that together with Kumamoto University, (Syracuse) will support us in the analytics portion and contribute to improving our winning percentage as we accumulate know-how in data analysis,” Yunoue said in a statement on the team’s website that was translated into English.

“We are excited to be able to work with Syracuse University, which is leading the way in data analysis in the field of basketball in the United States,” Yunoue added.

In serving as the Volters’ de facto analytics department, seven undergraduate and graduate students from the Department of Sport Management in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at Syracuse University will remotely collect and analyze a variety of data, including player performance statistics, live game video, information from wearables that track performance data, and business and operations data.

“We are honored and excited about the partnership between Kumamoto University and Syracuse University Sport Analytics,” says Sport Analytics Undergraduate Director and Professor Rodney Paul. “We look forward to providing statistical insights, building visualizations and models, and doing everything we can to help with the success of the Volters as we build what we hope to be a lasting collaboration with our wonderful partners at both Kumamoto University and the Volters.”

Previously, the Volters utilized staff members to analyze data on a limited basis. In addition to analyzing the Volters’ data, the Syracuse students will help analyze data from opposing teams, and the collaboration with Syracuse and Kumamoto University will help the Volters build their own data analysis team.

“We would like to use the Volters as a hub to connect university students in Kumamoto and America,” Yunoue said. “We are grateful for this connection, and we will become a team and work together as colleagues working toward this goal.”

Paul says this partnership speaks to the uniqueness of the Sports Analytics program because the Syracuse students will apply the skills they’re learning in the classroom to a variety of areas for the Volters that will benefit from data analysis.

“This is the next step in the evolution of our program where are students are working in a practical laboratory with a professional team in another country and all that goes with it,” Paul says. “These are the ways they can show off their skills, and with the different time zones they can wake up in the morning and see the score of the game and the results of what they did.”

About Syracuse University’s Sport Analytics Program:

The Sport Analytics program in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at Syracuse University is a first-of-its kind program focusing on key skills to prepare students for a career using analytics in sports. The curriculum approaches sport analytics from both the player/team performance and business side of sports. Students gain skills related to high-level mathematics, coding and database work, business courses, visualization, statistical modeling, and machine learning. In its brief history, Syracuse Sport Analytics majors have placed with teams across all major leagues in sports, betting and daily fantasy companies, and tech and business companies using a wide range of analytical skills.