Sport Management  News

Ten members of the Class of 2024 have been named Falk College Scholars–the highest academic award conferred by the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics on graduating seniors. Falk Scholars represent undergraduate students who display academic excellence, exceptional campus and community engagement, independent research and creative work, innovation in their disciplinary field, and personal integrity.

We asked the Class of 2024 Falk Scholars to describe their most impactful experiences at Syracuse University. Here’s what they wrote:

Sean Boland, Sport Analytics

My most influential–and certainly most memorable–experience at Syracuse University has been working as an analyst for the men’s soccer team. In this role, I have been able to develop technical skills, create memories, and build relationships that will last long after graduation.

I started working with the soccer team as a sophomore, thanks to a connection through the Sport Analytics program, and have loved every minute of the journey it has taken me on these last three years. Standing on the sideline with the team during the decisive penalty kick shootout that won us the 2022 NCAA Championship, running onto the field after the final shot, and getting to hold the national championship trophy are memories that I will never forget. Getting the chance to experience moments like this while also developing relevant skills that will help me as a professional in the sport analytics industry has been everything that I could have asked for and much more.

Tyler Bolebruch, Sport Analytics

The most influential moments that I have had at Syracuse University and Falk College are all the events I was able to travel to, and be a part of, including the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) Analytics Conference, MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, and National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championship (NCSAC). Each one of these events was a great experience that allowed me to meet a lot of different people and learn from the many different talks and presentations.

Beyond that, for the SABR Conference and NCSAC, I was able to compete and present my work to industry professionals. This has helped me substantially in my search for a job. Instead of simply meeting some of these professionals, they have been able to see my work and what I can do. The exposure from the Sport Analytics program and Falk College has had a massive impact on my college experience and future career opportunities.

Alison Gilmore, Sport Analytics

My time at Syracuse University has been unforgettable and life-changing in so many ways. Involvement in clubs such as Sport Analytics Women Club, Baseball Statistics and Sabermetrics Club, OrangeSeeds, and OttoTHON allowed me to tap into my passions, develop personally and professionally, and surround myself with remarkable and diverse individuals. Further, my work as a Student Assistant and Peer Mentor at the Disability Cultural Center helped support my passion for advocacy while facilitating my growth in exponential ways, from speaking at the New York State capitol to co-presenting in a panel discussion at the University’s inaugural DEIA symposium.

Beyond that, as a Remembrance Scholar—forever the greatest honor of my life—attending the Pan Am Flight 103 35th Anniversary memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery alongside a few of my fellow Scholars was incredibly special. Within sport analytics, the opportunities I was afforded to attend conferences such as the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) Analytics Conference and the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference were fundamental for me professionally. I am endlessly grateful to those who have had a hand in my journey. I am forever Proud to be Orange!

Nicholas Kamimoto, Sport Analytics

Syracuse University and the Sport Analytics program has provided me with countless opportunities throughout my four years here. I have been able to build relationships and create memories that will last a lifetime. The most memorable experiences that I have had here at Syracuse have been the competitions and research that I have been a part of, such as representing Syracuse during the 2024 Business Analytics National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championship. Our team ended up winning the championship and that was such a great feeling seeing all our hard work pay off. I had an incredible time traveling with my friends to compete.

I have also had the opportunity to work alongside (Associate Professor) Dr. Justin Ehrlich this past year. We have worked on various research papers, most notably being a paper analyzing NBA true shot charts. I created a dashboard to display all the GAM (generalized additive model) shot charts. The paper made it all the way to a finalist at the 2024 MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. I am so grateful for my time at Syracuse and in the Sports Analytics program at Falk College. I thank all my professors and peers who have helped me along the way.

Sophia Lehrer, Human Development and Family Science

Discovering curiosity’s compass in Falk College and the Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) program revealed many shapes and silhouettes that now frame my seasons at Syracuse–challenging valleys traversed, majestic hills ascended, faces and hearts of those that stirred me on. Combining research, fieldwork, and mentorship instilled a passion for pediatric healthcare. Working with toddlers at the Bernice M. Wright Child Development Laboratory School, observing surgeries at St. Joseph’s NICU, and trips including Bloomberg’s London headquarters through Syracuse Abroad connected science, practice, and journalism as integrated pursuits.

Professors and students inspired my path from HDFS Outstanding Freshman to Falk Scholar and beyond. A USA Gymnastics State Vault Champion, I applied the physics of leaping as my teammates and I led Syracuse to the NAIGC Gymnastics National Finals! Syracuse sparked creative leaps as well, encouraging me to publish the cover article in “Healthy You” magazine while earning a minor at Newhouse. Academic, athletic, and life lessons remain as guideposts to pursue a doctorate in healthcare on a journey to become an engaged clinician, researcher, and educator. Thank you, Syracuse, for the path, passion, and people that made a difference and challenged me to do the same! A slice of gratitude among many–Go Orange!

Ainsley MacLachlan, Public Health

My time at Syracuse University has truly been the most memorable four years of my life, thanks to my friends, professors, and mentors. I am incredibly grateful to have received the guidance of (Chair and Professor) Dr. David Larsen, who has supported the start of my research career while teaching me the power of wastewater surveillance in public health.

With my colleagues in Dr. Larsen’s lab, I have had the incredible opportunities of both having my work published in PLOS Global Public Health and attending the New York Water Environment Association’s annual conference. It is because of my experiences during my studies at Syracuse University and Falk College that I feel truly prepared and confident to embark on my next chapter of life.

Creagan Mee, Public Health

Syracuse University has played a huge role in my personal and professional development. Working as an EMT (emergency medical technician) for Syracuse University Ambulance allowed me to explore my passion for medicine. This experience not only taught me essential skills in patient care but also significantly developed my self-confidence. Studying abroad in Florence, Italy, was also a transformative experience that broadened cultural understandings and pushed me outside my comfort zone.

Additionally, conducting research for my honors thesis on the relationship between preterm births and the social determinants of health enhanced my understanding of health issues, especially in maternal reproductive health. This experience equipped me with research skills and valuable knowledge that I will apply in my future career to deliver equitable and compassionate healthcare. I am forever grateful for the friendships, mentorship, and opportunities that Syracuse University has provided me, shaping me into the person I am today.

Alex Oppel, Sport Analytics

My time at Syracuse University has been everything I could have hoped for. While COVID made my college transition more challenging, the experiences I have had and the relationships I have built have allowed me to grow into the person I am today.

Many of my favorite memories at Syracuse have come from my involvement with the Baseball Sabermetrics Club. I have had the opportunity to participate in several baseball analytics case competitions, which served as a platform to showcase and develop my analytical skills. The last two in-person competitions in Phoenix, Arizona, were especially fun. Being able to attend World Baseball Classic and spring training games with peers are experiences I will always remember.

Whenever I reflect on my four years at Syracuse, I will think about the people I am thankful to now call good friends. I have thoroughly enjoyed being surrounded by like-minded classmates who share my passion for sport, as well as interacting with the faculty and staff who make our program unrivaled.

Tess Palin, Nutrition Science

My most influential and memorable experiences in my undergraduate career have been in my time working with Syracuse University’s Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service. Starting as a sophomore, I volunteered at Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection to teach students at risk of not graduating how to cook and build balanced meals. After becoming an intern at the Shaw Center, I was able to run that specific program, as well as create and facilitate two different pilot programs that worked with different community partners and students.

I have also been able to help create community events in collaboration with “Take Back the Streets,” a grassroots initiative out of the west side of Syracuse to bring resources to different members of the community. These experiences have strengthened my desire to work with, and for, the various communities I am a part of, which has informed my future education and career goals.

Mariana Pérez Lugo, Nutrition Science

My time at Syracuse University has truly been a journey filled with impactful moments. Joining Dr. Latha Ramalingam’s research lab during my freshman year stands out as a highlight of my undergraduate journey, particularly as I took on the role of primary author for our published manuscript. Beyond academics, I found various ways to fulfill my passion for serving others, such as volunteering with the Shaw Center’s Food Busters Program, leading the Catholic Student Association as president, and even studying abroad in Madrid, immersing myself in diverse communities and cultures.

In addition to these endeavors, my role as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician at Syracuse University Ambulance was pivotal in shaping my journey. It solidified my passion for medicine, strengthening my commitment to a personalized approach to healthcare as I work towards my goal of becoming a physician.

Soccer – or football as it’s known outside the United States – is the world’s most popular sport.

Analytics is the sport industry’s most popular tool as it’s transforming every aspect of the game from player performance and team strategy to fan engagement and business models.

Over spring break, 20 sport analytics majors from Falk College enjoyed a once-in-lifetime opportunity to visit Italy and witness first-hand the impact of analytics on the highest level of soccer. The eight-day trip to Milan, Bologna, Florence, and Rome was part of Department of Sport Management Professor Rodney Paul’s sport analytics course that explores how data is revolutionizing soccer.

“The international experience, in general, is extremely important for our students, but it also gives them a perspective of how analytics are used in different sports at different levels internationally,” says Paul, director of the Sport Analytics program in Falk College. “The students were not merely observers, however, as they actively wrote and presented sport analytics research to the clubs we visited.”

The students met with analytics staff members and other team officials from elite soccer clubs across Italy, while also exploring the culture, history, and food of the ancient European country that’s surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. As one of the trip’s many highlights, the students attended an Italian Serie A league game between AC Milan and Empoli before more than 70,000 fans at Milan’s San Siro Stadium (AC Milan won 1-0).

The students were accompanied on the trip by Paul, Sport Analytics Program Coordinator Jackie Dorchester G’10, and co-faculty member Ed Lippie, who worked with AS Roma of the Italian Serie league from 2013-20 as a senior performance consultant and head performance coach.

“With our connections we had the privilege of behind-the-scenes access, demonstrating to the students the variety of positions their skill sets match and the opportunities that exist internationally,” Dorchester says. “The value is building on Syracuse University’s Academic Strategic Plan by allowing the students to participate in a study abroad or study away setting, with considerations to their academic goals and financial circumstances.”

Students Jake Graff and Zachary Silverstein say it was fascinating to learn how Italian soccer clubs utilize data compared to sports teams in the United States.

“Clubs with all levels of financial resources and historical success are embracing analytics and finding ways to utilize them in areas that are best for them,” says Graff ’24, a sport analytics major with an information management and technology minor. “Everyone collects and uses data differently, so being able to see numerous perspectives from a league like Serie A was eye-opening.”

Adam Goodman ’25, a sport analytics major with an economics minor, admits he’s not the biggest soccer fan but says it was valuable for his career goals to understand how soccer teams at the highest level approach their analytics.

“I think the main takeaway in terms of my career was the change in the way I think,” Goodman says. “The program allowed me to immerse myself in all aspects of soccer analytics which, going forward, will change the way I approach future research.”

Making the Connections

In her previous position as an academic advisor in the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University, Dorchester observed the value to students of traveling abroad and learning how different businesses operate. After she started working in the Sport Analytics program in the fall of 2022, Dorchester realized many sport analytics students were accelerating their studies and a semester abroad did not work within their timelines.

At Whitman, Dorchester says the school often used breaks between or during semesters for short-term immersion trips, and she thought the Sport Analytics program could construct a similar trip around Paul’s course because of the industry connections in Italy that had already been formed.

One of those connections is with the Saputo family, including Simone Saputo, who earned his sport management degree from Syracuse in 2021. Joey Saputo, Simone’s father, is chairman of Bologna FC 1909, a member of the Serie A league and one of the teams the students visited on their trip.

“One aspect of this trip that we are particularly proud of is the continued relationship with the members of the Saputo family who continue to provide opportunities that impact our students in the best way possible,” says Sport Analytics Program Manager Francesco Riverso. “We are eternally grateful for this partnership, which also includes a project-based experience that our sport analytics students are currently receiving while working with the Saputo’s other professional team, CF Montréal of Major League Soccer.”

Another key connection was with Lippie, who as co-faculty is a subject expert and has often taught classes within Paul’s course. In his roles with AS Roma, Lippie worked directly with first-team players and helped upgrade training methods and facilities to create an athlete-centric, high-performance culture.

In February 2023, Paul and Riverso contact Lippie about teaching and organizing a unique immersive experience for sport analytics students. The course would include a pre-trip curriculum that exposed the students to how analytics are currently being deployed in the top tiers of European soccer while also preparing them for how to get the most of out the spring break trip.

“My role was to provide the necessary context in the material I taught while sourcing guest lecturers who could speak to how data is being used in three critical areas: roster composition, physical performance enhancement, and match analysis,” says Lippie, whose son, Caden, is a sport analytics major in Falk.

Lippie also tapped his network of former Italian soccer colleagues from AS Roma – some of whom have since moved on to AC Milan – to line up a series of programmatic opportunities in both Milan and Rome.

“In my experience, the best education is achieved by a learn-by-doing approach combined with real-world experiences,” Lippie says. “This course was able to provide both and is another example of how the Sports Analytics program delivers on a unique sports data analytics value proposition that’s preparing the next generation of great sports industry leaders. Each student embraced the experience and exceeded my expectations for what they could learn and how they could apply it.”

When in Rome

When planning the trip, Dorchester made sure to incorporate visits to historical landmarks and other cultural excursions. To schedule those, she contracted with an educational travel company, WorldStrides, and collaborated with an advisor from Syracuse University Abroad.

The students gave the extracurricular visits a “pollice all’insù” – thumbs up in Italian.

“I didn’t realize the sheer amount of beautiful, historic buildings and sights that were just scattered around places like Florence and Rome. It seemed like everywhere I turned, there was a sight worth taking a picture of,” Graff says. “Being able to see sights and experience the culture everywhere we went, as well as experiencing a sport and a field I’m deeply passionate about, made it an incredible experience.”

A surprising highlight for the students and their chaperones was an Italian cooking class, where they made pasta from scratch and then enjoyed the fruits of their labor while dining near the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

“The most enjoyable part of our trip to Italy was sightseeing in each city and the amazing food,” says Silverstein ’26, a sport analytics major with an economics minor. “Every piece of food that I had while in Italy tasted great, and even trying new foods that I never thought I would enjoy was simply fantastic. Also, the sights and historical places we visited were breathtaking – the Vatican, Roman Colosseum, Michelangelo’s Statue of David, and so much more.”

Dorchester and Paul say the Sport Analytics program, with the support of the Department of Sport Management and Falk College, is committed to offering the course again in Spring 2025 with the eventual goal of expanding the opportunity to sport management students and traveling to other countries to observe and learn about sport and its global impact.

“I would tell any student who has an inkling of applying to this program to do it. Simply put, this was one of the best experiences of my life and I’m very happy I took this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to venture to Italy,” Silverstein says. “If you like soccer or not, any person who thinks they might want to go on this trip should apply because you’ll have a great time and appreciate Italy and soccer more.”

Goodman says students who make this trip in the future should know that the team officials are just as interest in learning about the students’ experiences as the students are interested in learning about the teams. These shared experiences and connections will help students as they pursue their professional careers, and perhaps some of them will end up working for soccer teams in Italy.

“I was surprised at how prepared I am coming from this program,” Goodman says. “This program provided a unique opportunity to tour teams and see first-hand the work done by analytics departments, and being able to compare that to what we work on at Syracuse in and out of class was very eye-opening.”

Rodney Paul, the director of the Sport Analytics program at Syracuse University, says two of the key cornerstones of the program are research and competition.

“Our students diligently work on research and internal competitions during their classroom activities, various sport analytics clubs, and individual research projects,” says Paul, a professor in the Department of Sport Management in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. “We pride ourselves on being willing to compete with anyone at any time and to show off our work in competitive settings.”

This semester, sport analytics students and faculty have had a lot to show off.

From player and team analytics competitions in basketball, football, and baseball to the National Sport Analytics Championship to the presentation of research at prestigious conferences, the Sport Analytics program showcased students and faculty at competitions throughout the country.

In mid-April, Falk College benefactor and noted sports agent David Falk hosted a reception for many of the sport analytics students who participated in the competitions this year. Falk, who has long been recognized as one of the sport industry’s leading figures and most talented innovators, compared the students’ achievements to a Major League Baseball player’s most coveted feat: Winning the triple crown (leading the league in batting average, home runs and RBI).

“At Syracuse, you guys have won the analytics triple crown: baseball, football, and basketball,” Falk said. “To me, that’s beyond incredible. This program, in my opinion – and our chancellor (Kent Syverud) knows how I feel – is the crème de la crème of what Syracuse University can offer.”

Sport analytics major Danny Baris, who won two undergraduate paper competitions, says the curriculum is designed to prepare students to excel at these events.

“The main advantage that I think the sport analytics program gives us is that our curriculum mainly focuses on usable skills rather than theory,” Baris says. “This makes what we learn in the classroom very applicable in these competitions. The program also places a heavy emphasis on presentation skills, and one thing that has set us apart in many of these competitions is presentation quality.”

Paul agrees that the key to the program’s success – and the key to graduates finding desired jobs in the sports industry – is this emphasis on marketable skills.

“High level mathematics and statistics, intense coding and statistical modeling, a wide overview of key economic and business theories and models, a focus on effective communication, and a foreign language requirement span across a wide range of jobs and careers in many industries in today’s society and into the future,” Paul says. “We just happen to study and apply these topics to the fascinating world of sports.”

Here’s a look at the Sport Analytics program’s success this spring:

Back-to-Back

In late February, a team of four sport analytics students captured Syracuse University’s second consecutive title in the AXS National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championship in Dallas, Texas.

The four students finished in the top 13 in the individual standings: Nicholas Kamimoto (fifth), Collin Kneiss (seventh), Tyler Bolebruch (11th), and Marissa Schneider (13th). Those finishes enabled Syracuse to capture the team title ahead of the University of Iowa, University of Oklahoma, and host Baylor University.

“Our team felt good about our chances of winning the team title after the competition,” Kamimoto says. “We knew that we put out great work and we also thought that we were the only school to have every student advance past the first round.”

The students won the 2024 business analytics category. In 2023, Syracuse won the game analytics category that was not part of the competition this year.

“The overall performance of our team was great,” Kamimoto says. “Although we were bummed that none of us ended up winning first individually, having everyone in the top 13 is pretty incredible.”

Dream Team

Sport Analytics majors Baris, Caitlin Kohlmeier, Alex Oppel, Aaron Rofe, and Jonah Soos teamed to win the 2024 Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) Diamond Dollars Case Competition from March 8-10 in Phoenix, Arizona. Syracuse sent four teams to the competition, where they faced teams from Rice University, College of William & Mary, and NYU-Tisch Institute for Global Sport, among others.

After winning their respective room and being selected for the best overall presentation, the team presented its research (“Analyzing the Value of Foul Balls in Major League Baseball”) to the entire conference.

When asked about his secret to success, Baris said, “My main recipe for success has been surrounding myself with really excellent teammates. My teammates and I have worked well together to apply the skills we have learned in creative ways, while also making sure that we’re correctly attending to all the details.”

Earlier in the semester, the same five students won the Cincinnati Reds’ Hackathon that was judged by members of the Reds’ Baseball Analytics Department. The students were tasked with identifying characteristics of pitchers that lead to their success in specific roles and then applying those findings to highlight specific Major League Baseball pitchers who might be better off in a different role.

A Slam Dunk

Sport Analytics professors Shane Sanders and Justin Ehrlich presented their recently published research at the prestigious MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference March 1-2 in Boston, Massachusetts. The study shows that when taking free throws and shot selection into account, the value of 3-point shots in the NBA is now less than 2-pointers.

USA Today turned the research into a front-page story in its sports section, while The Late Night with Stephen Colbert turned it into this hilarious segment.

Sport analytics professors Jeremy Losak and Jason Maddox, along with Soos, presented their research, “Changes in Minor League Umpire Tendencies with the Challenge and Automatic Ball-Strikes System,” at the SABR conference in Phoenix.

And in Tempe, Arizona, in early March, Baris and Soos along with Paul presented their research, “Promotions and Giveaways in Minor League Baseball: An Analysis Across Leagues and Demographic Areas,” at the NINE Spring Training Conference (student Hunter Kuchenbaur was also involved in this research but was unable to attend the conference because he was traveling with Syracuse University on an immersion class trip to Europe). At the same conference in Tempe, sport analytics major Marcus Mann present his research on “Data-Driven Insights on Tommy John Surgery.”

Making Their Case

On Feb. 9, students Soos, Garrett Naylor, Benjamin Jennings, Fred Gullo, and Ethan Radecki won the Second Annual Syracuse Basketball Analytics Club Case Competition fueled by Sports Info Solutions.

The students were tasked with analyzing play sequences to evaluate basketball shot creation and scoring. They also examined the importance of actions, pace, and team systems.

At the reception with Falk in mid-April, Soos told Falk that the opportunity to participate in these events is why he chose to attend Syracuse University.

“There was nowhere else like this, and that’s what made this decision (to attend Syracuse) so easy,” Soos said.

Later in February, the team of Soos, Baris, Austin Ambler, RJ Frahm, and Zach Seidel won the 2024 Falk Football Analytics Blitz, which was hosted by Falk College and include teams from colleges across the country.

Taking On the ACC

In early April, sport analytics major Dan Griffiths participated in the ACC Meeting of the Minds Conference, an annual event that celebrates undergraduate research at the 15 Atlantic Coast Conference schools. Griffiths’ research, “Detecting Fatigue with Computer Vision,” was also selected to be presented at the UConn Sport Analytics Symposium in mid-April.

“Participating in these competitions allows us to apply the skills we use in the classroom, and it gives us an opportunity to create tangible examples of work products which support the skills that we might note to employers,” says Baris, who also won the Undergraduate Student Paper Competition at the Academy of Economics and Finance Conference on Feb. 9 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Although this academic year is winding down, the Sport Analytics program will soon start planning for next year and seeking more competitive opportunities for students.

“The program has taught us so much and given us many skills that allow us to compete at the highest level with everyone across the country,” Kamimoto says. “We are prepared so well in order to achieve these incredible things.”

Two decades after the launch of its sport management program, Syracuse University today announced that as a result of its significant growth and academic excellence, the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics will become the David B. Falk College of Sport. The first-of-its-kind college will focus exclusively on sport-related disciplines, making the University among the leading academic institutions for preparing students to drive innovation among and lead in sport-related fields and industries.

“Falk College has experienced extraordinary growth, particularly in its renowned sport management program, over the last 20 years, thanks in large part to its innovative faculty and the relentless energy and leadership of former Dean Diane Lyden Murphy,” says Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter. “With the growth of sport participation domestically and globally, there is unprecedented demand for talented practitioners and leaders. The Falk College of Sport will produce hundreds of students every year who are educated across multiple disciplines and well-prepared to lead in the burgeoning sports field.”

Reimagining Falk College

Since launching its sport management program in 2005 and later adding programs in sport analytics and esports communications and management, Falk College has achieved prominent status as a national leader in sport education. This transformation will make Falk College the first standalone college on an R1 campus that specifically focuses on sport through a holistic academic lens.

Dean Jeremy Jordan, who was appointed last July, says this transformation will expand and enrich sport scholarship at Syracuse.

“Syracuse University has long been a leader in the development of sport-related programs,” says Jordan. “From creating the first-ever sports analytics program to the recent launch of an esports major, the University and Falk College have demonstrated the value of and important role sport plays in the day-to-day lives of people, and not just elite athletes. This reimagination of Falk College is a bold step in solidifying Syracuse University as the preeminent institution for sport-related academic study in the country.”

The reimagined Falk College of Sport will house academic programs in sport management, sport analytics, exercise science, nutrition and, jointly with the Newhouse School, esports. It will focus on four areas of academic excellence: Sport Business, Human Performance, Sport Technology and Innovation, and Community Sport and Wellness. The college will also launch a new research institute focused on sport, which will leverage an interdisciplinary, cross-campus approach to drive innovation in sport and health outcomes and integrate expertise in business, digital media, and technology, among other areas of academic focus. It may include creating new or expanding partnerships among the University’s schools, colleges and academic units, such as the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, the Whitman School of Management, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, the College of Law and others.

Today’s announcement follows a months-long exercise during which a Sport Management Task Force, consisting of faculty, staff and academic leaders, was charged with identifying ways to enhance and extend Falk’s excellence in sport-related programs. The task force, co-chaired by Jeff Rubin, senior vice president for digital transformation and chief digital officer, and Jamie Winders, associate provost for faculty affairs, submitted a report to Provost Ritter earlier this academic year. Recommendations outlined tangible action the University can take to connect, align and integrate teaching and research related to sport across the academic enterprise.

“The task force concluded that there is a timely opportunity for Falk to build on its strengths and capitalize on relevant marketplace trends,” says Rubin. “As someone who has worked in this space for nearly three decades, there is no better time for Syracuse University to take this bold step than now. Organizations across the country and around the globe are looking for career-ready talent. Falk College is poised to meet that need.”

The work happening in Falk College aligns with the University’s commitment to applying an entrepreneurial and innovative philosophy to elevating sport across the campus. In addition to enhancing sport-related academic opportunities, the University has also taken steps in recent years to widen the availability of esports–academically and recreationally—and has grown current and created new club sport programs.

Shaping the Future of Human Dynamics

As part of the Falk transformation, Syracuse University will invest in a strategic reimagination of human dynamics academic programs with the goal of positioning them for future success and impact. To support this work, Provost Ritter will convene a Human Dynamics Task Force, consisting of academic leaders, department chairs and program directors, faculty, alumni and community partners. The task force will be charged with reviewing the college’s human dynamics programs and identifying future pathways for their growth and success. These academic programs include human development and family science, marriage and family therapy, public health and social work. Students enrolled in these programs and beginning at Syracuse University in Fall 2024 will not be impacted by the University’s reimagination of its human dynamics portfolio.

Provost Ritter says given the increasingly complex public health landscape and the growing global need for health and human services and credentialed professionals, the time is right to reimagine these longstanding academic programs to meet emerging demands in their fields.

“The Human Dynamics Task Force will determine prospects for expansion, innovation and alignment with the University’s overall Academic Strategic Plan, ‘Leading with Distinction,’” says Ritter. “These programs have a deep history at Syracuse University and have had a profound impact on the City of Syracuse, Central New York and communities around the globe. The faculty who teach and research in these disciplines will have the opportunity to review, reimagine and shape the future of the programs with the full support of the University.”

Provost Ritter has asked Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Lois Agnew and newly-appointed Associate Dean for Human Dynamics Programs Rachel Razza, associate professor and previously chair and graduate director in the Department of Human Development and Family Science, to lead and guide the reimagination of the human dynamics programs. The task force will be supported by an external consultant to help it execute on its charge. Additionally, given the significant synergy between the programs and the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County, Syracuse Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens and Deputy County Executive for Human Services Ann Rooney have also agreed to serve on the task force.

“I am grateful to Lois, Rachel, Deputy Mayor Owens and Deputy County Executive Rooney for their willingness to collaborate on this important work, and I look forward to partnering with the other members of the task force,” says Provost Ritter. “These areas of academic excellence are not only central to our University’s mission but also critical to the communities, particularly those who are currently underserved, that our students will eventually serve as the next generation of social workers, therapists, public health professionals and human services providers.”

The Human Dynamics Task Force will receive its charge from Provost Ritter by the end of the spring semester. It will begin its work in earnest over the summer and submit its findings to the provost by the end of October.

An SU News story originally published on April 15, 2024.

Falk College’s Sudha Raj, Ken Marfilius and Katie McDonald will be honored at the April 19 One University Awards in Hendricks Chapel.

The One University Awards Ceremony, an annual event to honor members of the Syracuse University community who are making a difference through academics, scholarship, creative work and dedicated service, will be held Friday, April 19, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.

“Every year, we come together to celebrate the outstanding contributions and tremendous success of our students, faculty, staff and broader community,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “The accomplishments of this year’s recipients reinforce what it means to be Orange. This ceremony also shines a bright spotlight on the work being done around campus, much of which happens behind the scenes. I thank the many members of our community who organized this event and look forward to recognizing this year’s winners.”

Two major awards—the Chancellor’s Medal and the Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence—will be bestowed. The ceremony will also include the presentation of the Student-Athlete Award, Judith Seinfeld Scholarship, Meredith Professorship for Teaching Excellence, Teaching Recognition Award, Diversity and Inclusion Award, William Pearson Tolley Medal for Distinguished Leadership in Lifelong Learning and Chancellor’s Forever Orange Award.

Emeriti faculty who retired in 2023 and employees who celebrated years of service milestones in 2023 will also be recognized. This year’s University Scholars, Senior Class and School and College Marshals, and Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars will also be honored.

All members of the University community are invited and encouraged to attend. A reception will follow in the lobby of the Heroy Geology Laboratory.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided at the ceremony. For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, contact Gabe Coleman at gbcolma@syr.edu.

Award Recipients

The Chancellor’s Medal is the University’s highest honor and is awarded to individuals in honor of their trailblazing and extraordinary contributions to the University, to an academic body of knowledge or to society. This year’s recipient is Shiu-Kai Chin, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence and professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The Chancellor’s Citation for Excellencerecognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions in four overarching categories:

• The award for Excellence in Student Research recognizes students who have engaged in collaborative research that has the potential to make a deep and lasting impact on greater society. This year’s recipients are Jingjing Ji, a doctoral candidate in chemical engineering in the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (graduate), and Ashtha Singh, an international relations major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and citizenship and civic engagement major in the Maxwell School (undergraduate).
• The award for Outstanding Contributions to the Student Experience and University Initiatives acknowledges faculty and staff who, through their work, enhance the undergraduate experience for students or make invaluable contributions to supporting and advancing the University’s mission and goals. The recipients are Charisse L’Pree Corsbie-Massay, associate professor of communications in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications (faculty); Maureen Casey, chief operating officer for the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (professional staff); Amy Schmidt, program coordinator of citizenship and civic engagement in the Maxwell School (professional staff) and Jolanta Niwelt, events coordinator at Lubin House (support staff).
• The Faculty Excellence and Scholarly Distinction award is intended for faculty members who are collaborators in work of intellectual richness that has the potential for future impact. The work of these nominees offers possibilities for collaboration within the University and outside in partnership with others. This year’s honorees are Wayne Franits, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Art and Music Histories in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Katherine McDonald, associate dean of research and professor of Public Health in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.
• Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence, Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors those who have made extraordinary contributions toward advancing all four pillars of excellence over the arc of their careers while at Syracuse University and beyond. This year’s recipient is Shobha Bhatia, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence and professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The other awards to be presented are:

• The Student-Athlete Award recognizes the top female and top male student athletes and are presented to the senior student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade point average over the course of their academic and athletic careers. This year’s recipients are Izabela Krakic, an international relations major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and College of Arts and Sciences and member of the women’s rowing team, and Julius Rauch, an entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises major in the Whitman School of Management and a member of the men’s soccer team.
• Seinfeld Scholarship: Each year Syracuse University honors the talents of outstanding faculty or students through an award made possible by Judith Greenberg Seinfeld ’56, a distinguished alumna and member of the University Board of Trustees. Awards are made to those who have been determined by their peers to have made outstanding contributions to the beauty of the world, to have added to human values and to ending human abuse anywhere in the world, and to have demonstrated passion for excellence, creativity and originality in academic or artistic fields. This year, the designation is bestowed upon a faculty member, Rebecca Ortiz, associate professor of advertising in the Newhouse School.
• The Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professorships for Teaching Excellence were created in 1995 to recognize and reward outstanding teaching among faculty. The 2024-27 Meredith Professors are Joon Park, professor in the School of Information Studies, and Cora True-Frost, Bond, Schoeneck and King Distinguished Professor in the College of Law.
• In 2001, the Meredith Professorship Program was expanded to recognize teaching excellence by non-tenured faculty and adjunct and part-time instructors. Awards are given in two categories: Early Performance and Continuing Excellence. This year’s honorees in the Early Performance category are Kelly Leahy, assistant professor of television, radio and film in the Newhouse School; Farzana Rahman, associate teaching professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science; Milton Santiago, assistant professor of visual communications in the Newhouse School; Darwin Tsen, assistant teaching professor of Chinese and Chinese language in the College of Arts and Sciences; and Nina Wilson, assistant professor in the School of Architecture. The two honorees in the Continuing Excellence category are Kenneth Marfilius, assistant dean of online and distance education and associate teaching professor of social work in the Falk College, and Sudha Raj, teaching professor and graduate director of nutrition and food studies in the Falk College.
• The Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes an individual who is integral in helping us achieve academic excellence at a university that is welcoming to all through our investments in a diverse, inclusive, accessible and equitable community. This year’s recipient is Suzette Meléndez, teaching professor in the College of Law and faculty fellow for the Office of Strategic Initiatives and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
• The William Pearson Tolley Medal for Distinguished Leadership in Lifelong Learning is based in the School of Education and honors national or international leadership in support of lifelong learning. This year’s recipient is Rhodia Thomas ’77, executive director of MidPenn Legal Services, adjunct professor of law at Dickinson University and an alumna of the School of Education.
• The Chancellor’s Forever Orange Award recognizes individual students, faculty or staff who—by virtue of extraordinary hard work, good values and commitment to excellence—have come to embody the best of Syracuse University. This year’s recipients are Colleen O’Connor Bench, associate vice president of parent engagement and student experience, and Ian McIntyre, head coach of the men’s soccer team.

Tatiana Warren (left) and Andrea Massop Ramos are the two newest members of the Falk College Advisory Board.

Falk College is pleased to welcome two new board members to the Falk College Advisory Board: Andrea Massop Ramos, MCN, and Tatiana Warren, Ph.D.

The Falk College Advisory Board champions the mission of the college and University to students, alumni, colleagues, and prospective supporters. Board members provide industry perspective and guidance, so Falk students are prepared to enter changing professional fields. They exemplify the values of social responsibility in their citizenship and embody the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“Falk College is in an exciting season of growth,” says Falk College Dean Jeremy Jordan. “Our primary focus is on elevating the student experience—supporting career readiness through the expansion of purposeful experiential learning opportunities for students. Our Advisory Board plays a crucial role in this effort by bringing insights from a variety of professional disciplines and helping forge corporate and community partnerships. I am confident that Andrea Massop Ramos and Dr. Tati Warren will add valuable contributions in these and other influential ways.”

Andrea Massop Ramos, MCN, is an award-winning clinical nutritionist. After a 20-year career with the airlines, she became the operations manager for Metro North Railroad, where she founded Healthy4U, a Corporate Health and Well Being Group. As an adjunct professor of Clinical Nutrition at New York Institute of Technology, Ramos teaches a required nutrition course for all health professionals. She founded Healthy FRIENDZ Nutrition, LLC, which uses a hands-on culinary platform to teach nutrition education to children and families in a fun, interactive setting. She is also a nutrition consultant for CBS Survivor Productions. Ramos earned her master of science degree in clinical nutrition from New York Institute of Technology.

“Andrea is a clinical nutritionist, private health chef, and entrepreneur,” says Falk College Assistant Dean of Advancement Megan Myers. “We are confident that she will help Falk College expand our connections to the wider community, providing our students with hands-on learning experiences, internships, and job opportunities.”

Tatiana Warren, Ph.D., is a distinguished health equity strategist who established Just TATI, a multimedia initiative to inform and disseminate accurate and evidence-based health topics to diverse audiences. She consults health professionals, community-based organization leaders, educators, and community members in the implementation and evaluation of their health programs. As founder of Just TATI, she works on social justice projects with highly capable and driven organizations that don’t have access to the funding or resources they need to deliver impactful and sustainable community outcomes. She does this by providing access to secure funding and focusing on empowering and elevating local communities.

Warren currently serves as lead Social Scientist Evaluator with Veritas Management Group on projects with The Food and Drug Administration Office of Minority Health and Health Equity and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. She also co-leads the Community Engagement and Dissemination Core Advisory Board for the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solution.

“As a health equity expert, consultant, and social scientist, Dr. Warren brings a wealth of knowledge and skills related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility,” says Myers. “As a former Syracuse University track and field student-athlete, she brings a unique perspective to diversity issues among athletes.”

Falk College academic degree programs focus on holistic health and wellbeing, human performance, and sport business enterprise. The college’s signature emphasis on experiential learning supports student success through intentional internship requirements, faculty-mentored research projects, immersion travel, and global study abroad. At every stage of their education, Falk College students engage in meaningful work to advance their disciplines and careers.

Meet all members of the Falk College Advisory Board on the Falk College website.

Falk College students with Chinny Nwagbo ’05 (in center of back row) while touring the NFL Players’ Association, where Nwagbo is Director of Player Programs and Engagement. Students learned about athlete representation, sports marketing, and player wellness programs, including nutrition, professional development, mental health, and legal services.

The Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at Syracuse University is a unique college with a diversity of programs from Exercise Science to Social Work to Sport Analytics.

The common denominator is Falk’s focus on experiential learning, and this past fall 27 students representing on-campus and online programs from all departments participated in one of the college’s most immersive experiences: the “Falk in D.C. Career Exploration Trip” hosted by the Office of Career Services.

It was the third Falk in D.C. trip, but the first that included separate tracks for health/human services and sport-related careers, with all attending Falk students joining together for select site visits and panels that represented both health and sport professionals. The students engaged with alumni and employer representatives from 28 Washington, D.C., and Baltimore area organizations through site visits and panels, and even more at the alumni networking reception.

“The combined nature of the trip allowed many students to expand their professional interests and discover the overlap between health and sport professions,” says David Sly, associate director of career services. “Over the course of the trip, all attending students demonstrated new or improved ability and confidence in career skills including networking, industry knowledge, communication, and awareness of professional values.”

Health students met with representatives from the FDA, USDA, CDC, Bread for the City, Urban Institute, and MedStar, among many others. Sport students met with representatives from several organizations, including Under Armour, Big League Advantage, Washington Commanders, Monumental Sports and Entertainment, DC United, and Leveling the Playing Field.

All students participated in visits with the NFL Players’ Association, Washington Nationals, Building Bridges Across the River, Living Classrooms Foundation, and PeacePlayers, International.

“The Falk in D.C. Career Immersion Trip gave me the opportunity to learn about the vast array of options that will be there for me post-graduation in the public health field,” says public health major Brinda Parikh ’26. “Being able to hear firsthand from industry professionals about their experiences throughout their careers was very eye-opening, and this trip helped me grow my network of Syracuse University alums that could help me in my own career in the future.”

Syracuse University alumni participated in the Falk in D.C. Government Service Panel hosted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. From left to right, Andrew Kelleher ‘09 (clinical reviewer at the FDA’s Office of New Drugs); Cheri Hoffman ’95 (Deputy Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families); Madeleine Williams ’21 (USDA FNS program analyst); Kemba Ford ’02 (Director, Division of Communication, FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health); Melissa Zajdel ’15 (American Association for the Advancement of Science Science and Technology Policy Fellow, NIH); and Kesia Purcell ’11 (U.S. Public Health Service Officer).

When the students returned from D.C., Career Services asked for their reflections of the trip, how it fit into their decision to attend Syracuse University, and their career goals. Here, we’re sharing responses from five students from across the college: master of social work student Nicole Corrente, public health major Tommy DaSilva ’26, health and exercise science major Alexia Harris ’26, sport management major Brianna Nechifor ’26, and sport analytics major Liam Roberts ’27.

Why did you choose Syracuse University and Falk College?

Alexia Harris: I chose health and exercise science because I have always loved studying the way the body works and moves. I chose Syracuse University because its program is amazing and has already set me up for success in my first semester here.

Tommy DaSilva: I chose both of my majors (public health and policy studies) because I wanted to be able to improve the lives of others through government action or nonprofit community work.

Brianna Nechifor: I chose to become a sport management major because I was encouraged to enter the industry by my tennis coaches and friends who saw my burning passion for sports. I chose Syracuse University because of the community and opportunities that are available to me, including the Sales and Marketing Club, Sport Management Club, and WISE (Women in Sports and Events).

Nicole Corrente: I’m a graduate student of social work who’s originally from Syracuse, so choosing Syracuse University was a natural fit.

Liam Roberts: Outside of school my biggest passion has always been sports and in school I always enjoyed math and working with numbers. As a result, the sports analytics major was perfectly catered to what I am interested in and what I want to do in life. The opportunities this major provides, including ones like this D.C. trip, were not available anywhere else and it’s ultimately why I chose to attend Syracuse.

What are your top three highlights so far from your Syracuse University experience and what are your career goals?

Brianna Nechifor: My top three highlights have to be the introduction of the new esports major, a field that I am very passionate about; the Falk in D.C. Exploration Trip; and the Sport Management Charity Sport Auction (shoutout to the Sales Committee!). My ultimate career goal is to work in esports, possibly in event management.

Nicole Corrente: My top three highlights have been my graduate coursework and research; the Falk in D.C. trip; and all the amazing connections I’ve made along the way. In the future, I plan to have a career in anti-trafficking efforts as a therapist for survivors of trafficking.

Alexia Harris: My top three highlights so far are setting up my internship with strength and conditioning in the athletics complex for next semester; being able to go on the Falk in D.C. trip; and all the different campus opportunities available. My ultimate career goal is either to go into athletic training or sports nutrition.

Liam Roberts: My Syracuse experience has only just begun, so my highlights are likely still to come. But so far, my No. 1 highlight would definitely be this trip, while other great experiences are connecting with Professor (Shane) Sanders and participating in the basketball and baseball analytics clubs.

Tommy DaSilva: Highlights of Syracuse so far have been my service-learning work with International Services and the YWCA; the work done by my organization SAPHE (Student Association of Public Health Education); and the professional connections I have been able to make. I don’t have a specific ultimate career goal as I’m open to any opportunities that come my way, as long as they can be used to help someone in some way.

More than 100 students and Syracuse University alumni gathered at the the Mission Navy Yard restaurant for food, photos, and networking fun.

What is your most memorable takeaway from the Falk in D.C. trip?

Liam Roberts: I engaged with and explored exciting opportunities within the sports industry that I would have otherwise never been able to experience, and in a manner that was fun and interesting. This experience was one that I could not see myself getting anywhere else and I’m glad I had the opportunity to join.

Alexia Harris: This trip provided me with exposure to a lot of different employment opportunities and fields that I had never thought about before, as well as connecting me to a wide variety of people.

Tommy DaSilva: This trip gave me insight into potential careers that I would have never thought possible without these face-to-face conversations.

Brianna Nechifor: I was able to interact with a variety of perspectives in the sports industry, even those you may not think you have a connection with them. Everything is in one way connected, and this trip can help shift your opinions on different sectors of the industry. It’s honestly something you shouldn’t be afraid to apply for!

Nicole Corrente: This was an amazing experience! This trip provided me with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to meet representatives from the CDC, HHS, ACFS, and several nonprofit agencies. Learning about these organizations taught me a lot about the importance of a strong work ethic and an open mind. I look forward to staying connected to the Syracuse University alumni that I met and staying engaged with the work they’re doing in D.C.

Students interested in the “Falk in D.C.” trip in the Fall 2024 semester can watch a video summary of the trip and find Fall 2024 updates on the Falk Careers home page.

Four students from Syracuse University’s Sport Analytics program will travel to Dallas, Texas, Feb. 21-22 to compete in the AXS National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championship and defend Syracuse’s national title.

Seniors Collin Kneiss, Nicholas Kamimoto, Tyler Bolebruch, and Marissa Schneider will represent Syracuse at the event, which is hosted by the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks at their home arena, the American Airlines Center. The students will compete in the business analytics category; in 2023, Syracuse University won the game analytics category that is not a part of the competition this year.

“They are a true inspiration as they have taken on this challenge, been willing to put themselves in the arena, and continually worked to improve their skills and themselves,” says Rodney Paul, director of the Sport Analytics program and a professor in the Department of Sport Management at the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. “They are role models and leaders to our young students and are incredible representatives of Falk College and Syracuse University.”

The championship in Dallas is the second half of the national competition that includes more than 150 college students from around the country. In the first half, which was held virtually, students were given a prompt and had to prepare and present their analytics work to judges.

“The students in our program are our greatest asset,” says Paul, the team’s coach. “We are so proud of Collin, Nicholas, Tyler, and Marissa and how well they performed and look forward to them demonstrating their abilities on a national stage.”

The trip to Dallas is funded through a gift from Syracuse University Trustee and alum Andrew Berlin ’83, who continues to support sport analytics student-focused initiatives.

Before they traveled to Dallas, we asked Kneiss, Kamimoto, Bolebruch, and Schneider questions about representing Falk College and Syracuse University at this national event, their first-round success, and what they expect in the finals. Here’s what they said:

What’s it like to represent Falk College and Syracuse University at this prestigious national event?

Kneiss (sport analytics and economics dual major with a minor in sport management): Being able to represent Syracuse and Falk College has been an amazing feeling. Syracuse has been a great place to be and has helped me in so many ways, so I’m glad to be able to now represent the University.

Kamimoto (sport analytics and economics dual major and sport management minor): It’s an honor to represent Falk, Syracuse, and the Sport Analytics program at the championships. Syracuse has been my home for the past four years, and it feels incredible to finish my time here by competing at the championships. I have learned numerous skills from my professors at Syracuse that I’ll be able to apply during this event.

Bolebruch(sport analytics and economics dual major with minors in finance and mathematics): I’m grateful to represent Falk and Syracuse at the national level. I look forward to the four of us having a chance to bring home another trophy for Falk and Syracuse University.

Schneider (sport analytics and economics dual major and sport management minor): I feel incredibly proud that I get to represent Falk, Syracuse, and the Sport Analytics program at the championships. This competition is an experience that I feel very honored to have as not everyone gets to participate in it.

In the first round, can you briefly describe what you did and your reaction when you saw the final standings?

Kneiss: For the first round, we were given data and asked to create a presentation within three days that we eventually presented to two analytics judges over Zoom. When everything was done and I woke up to (congratulatory) emails from many of my professors and advisors, I felt proud of my work and excited that my name was on it.

Kamimoto: In the first round, I created a ticket price-model based on the number of days before an event. I examined how the prices and quantity of tickets purchased changed at all levels of the stadium, depending on whether the tickets were purchased seven days or less before the event or seven days or more before the event. Upon seeing the final standings, I was proud of my achievement and of the entire team as we all finished in excellent positions.

Bolebruch: In the first round, I created models to show how the demand for tickets shifts as the game gets closer. I felt confident about this analysis, and I expected the four of us to do very well, but to see all four of us in the top 20 with all the students that participated was better than I could have hoped.

Schneider: I was extremely proud of myself and, of course, my peers who also placed in the top standings. I have never done something like this before, so I felt proud of my work and I hope to have the same success, if not better, at the championships in Dallas.

How are you feeling about your chances in Dallas, and do you know what assignment you’ll receive at the competition?

Kneiss: I was extremely nervous coming into this competition, but after seeing my qualifying results, I have become confident with my abilities and my chances in Dallas. We know the data will involve recycling and trash data, so I’ve tried to start brainstorming the possibilities of what I can do and hopefully get ahead early.

Kamimoto: I’m feeling good about my chances in Dallas, and I’ll need to continue to put my best work out there. We know that we’ll be working with an energy and sustainability dataset, and I am excited to get there and get started.

Bolebruch: I feel confident. With our seeding, we have a good chance of finishing as the No. 1 school; now, it’s time to show up and perform. We recently received a study guide and practice dataset for the competition, and it will likely focus on sustainability and energy at different sport venues. So, it will be interesting to see what everyone will come up with for that.

Schneider: I feel confident in my chances, and I also feel confident in the chances of my peers. We have all received a study guide for the championships that says we’ll receive data related to water and waste. The championship is the same format as the virtual rounds as each participant is expected to present a five-minute presentation based on the given prompt that everyone will receive. Each participant is given a few hours to create the presentation that will provide insights for venues to improve sustainability performance.

Students Awarded SOURCE Grants

Sport analytics students Danny Baris, Hunter Kuchenbaur, and Jonah Soos were awarded a Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE) grant for $3,150 for their research on “Promotions in Minor League Baseball: An Analysis Across Leagues.” Sport analytics student Marcus Mann was awarded a SOURCE grant for $2,385 for his research on “Data Driven Insights on Tommy John Surgery.”

Baris, Soos, and Mann will present their research at the NINE Spring Training Conference in Tempe, Arizona, in early March and will use their SOURCE grants to fund their trips. Baris, Soos, and Mann will present their research at the NINE Spring Training Conference in Tempe, Arizona, in early March and will use their SOURCE grants to fund their trips. Kuchenbaur is unable to attend as he is traveling with Syracuse University on an immersion class trip overseas.

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High Honors