Sport Management  News

You can’t reach your goals alone.

That was a common theme from Syracuse University alumnae during two Coming Back Together events on Sept. 13 at the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. Coming Back Together (CBT) is a triennial event for Black and Latino alumni to return to campus and celebrate their accomplishments, meet current students, and remain connected to Syracuse.

Falk College hosted two CBT alumnae panels: A discussion with three former doctoral students hosted by the Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS), and a panel discussion with three sport industry leaders called “Breaking Barriers and Empowering Women in Sport.”

The HDFS panel included Tracey Lewis-Elligan G ’01, Ph.D., Interim Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs and Associate Professor of Sociology at DePaul University; Shauna Harps ’99, G’05, Ph.D., Principle Research Associate at Westat in Rockville, Maryland; and Chandice Haste-Jackson ’96, G’13, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Student Services and HDFS Associate Teaching Professor in Falk College.

In chronicling their academic journeys and career trajectories, each of the three HDFS panelists highlighted the support they received from Syracuse faculty, including HDFS Pearl S. Falk Endowed Professor Jaipaul Roopnarine, HDFS Professor Ambika Krishnakumar, and Norma Bond Burgess, former chair of the Department of Child and Family Studies (now HDFS).

“The work of the faculty here resonated with me,” Lewis-Elligan said. “Of all my academic journeys, it was the people here who created relationships and invested in us.

“The work that Jaipaul and Ambika are involved in drive change and uplift society,” she added, “and that’s what we’re all here for.”

After receiving her undergraduate degree from Syracuse, Harps went to another school for her master’s degree but returned to Syracuse as a doctoral student.

“I felt very supported here, and when I didn’t get that support (in her master’s program), I came back to Syracuse and picked Ambika as my advisor because I knew she would push me and give me the support I needed,” Harps said. “Having that mentorship, I felt that my growth was important to my professors.”

The sport panel featured Syracuse women’s basketball head coach Felisha Legette-Jack ’89, NFL Players Association Director of Player Programs and Engagement Chineze “Chinny” Nwagbo ’05, and award-winning broadcaster Vera Jones ’88, G’91 (all former Syracuse basketball players) and was moderated by Tatiana Warren ’05, G’06, Ph.D., a member of the Falk College Advisory Board.

Among a variety of topics, the panelists discussed the growth and impact of women’s sports, the impact of mental health on performance, and personal development and empowerment. Watch the complete panel discussion on the Falk College Vimeo page.

While encouraged about the steady growth of women’s sports, the panelists said there’s more that needs to be done. They referenced the powerful ESPYs speech delivered by South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley, who championed pay equity for women.

“What we have to consider is this: If we’re the same, we’re behind,” Legette-Jack said. “Dawn Staley is the best women’s coach in the world, but until we pay her more than the men’s coach, we have a lot of work to do.”

“Sports help drive the culture, and we have a responsibility to be that much more vocal, that much more active, because why wouldn’t we want to help drag the culture along, right?” Jones said.

In sharing very personal experiences that impacted their mental health, the panelists also emphasized the importance of mental health for everyone, not just athletes or those working in the sport industry.

“Athletes are driven to push, and we never stop,” Jones says. “I did that, and I didn’t think (mental health issues) would ever happen to me.”

During a question-and-answer session with students at the end of the event, the panelists were asked how women in sports can advocate for themselves in what remains a male-dominated industry. They described the value of the support they’ve received over the years from women and men, and how important it is to make connections that can help get you in the door so you can prove your value.

“How do you make the person in front of you understand that I’m all in and we’re going to go forward together?” Legette-Jack said. “What does my work say? What kind of character do I bring every day?

“Judge me on those things,” she added, smiling, “and pay me on those things.”

A public health professor whose research focuses on social determinants of health has been selected as the 2024-26 Lender Center for Social Justice faculty fellow.

Miriam Mutambudzi will explore how Black adults who reside in historically redlined neighborhoods can experience a disadvantaged occupational life course and subsequent health consequences. Redlining was a discriminatory practice of designating certain neighborhoods, especially predominantly Black ones, as being poor credit risks.

Mutambudzi is an assistant professor of public health at the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. She is also a faculty affiliate of three centers at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs: the Center for Aging and Policy Studies; the Aging Studies Institute; and the Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion.

In addition to Mutambudzi, an interdisciplinary team of student fellows will work on the project. Students from any discipline and background who are excited about community advocacy and social justice are encouraged to apply for the two-year fellowships. Applications are accepted through early October and fellows are chosen before the end of the fall semester. The faculty-student group will present their findings at a community symposium in 2026.

We recently sat down with Mutambudzi to learn more about her project.

Why is this topic important?

This research tackles the ongoing challenges faced by Black communities from the legacy of historical discriminatory housing practices and the subsequent impact of those practices on community members’ employment and health.

While the Fair Housing Act of 1968 was enacted as federal law, it failed to fully dismantle racial discrimination in housing resulting from the practice of redlining. Redlining is a discriminatory practice that began in 1930s America [where] banks and insurance companies refused or limited loans, mortgages and insurance to residents of specific geographic areas—primarily neighborhoods with predominantly Black residents. Residents of redlined areas had limited access to credit and other financial services and were hindered in their efforts to own homes, invest in property or improve their neighborhoods. The results were often urban decay and a perpetuation of poverty in those areas.

While redlining is a historical concept, its effects are very much present today. Its legacy continues to limit many life opportunities, and neighborhoods with predominantly Black residents where that occurred still face social and economic disadvantages.

How do limited employment prospects—or the lack of a good job—affect health issues?

Both employment and discriminatory policies are key factors contributing to racial disparities in health outcomes. Job insecurity, precarity, lower wages and periods of unemployment—which occur more frequently among Black workers—all contribute to income gaps and limit access to good health insurance and quality healthcare.

Young adults from disadvantaged neighborhoods enter the workforce at a significant disadvantage. Job prospects within their communities are scarce, limiting their ability to find work that pays well, offers stability and provides a path for advancement.

This lack of good-quality jobs in their immediate surroundings creates a vicious cycle and the absence of good-quality, stable employment nearby creates a double-edged sword. Not only are opportunities limited, but these young adults also miss out on crucial skill-building and networking chances that come with these jobs. Those factors further restrict their potential, hindering their ability to compete for better opportunities.

In addition, involuntary employment interruptions are more frequent for these young adults and further disrupt their career trajectories. This disparity perpetuates a system where economic mobility becomes nearly impossible for those starting from behind. The cascading constraints imposed by limited job opportunities in disadvantaged neighborhoods have a profound impact on residents’ access to health-promoting resources, creating a cycle that undermines well-being.

For example, limited financial resources often translate to poor housing conditions, which may be overcrowded, poorly maintained and may lack essential amenities. Nutritious and organic foods are generally more expensive and less readily available in “food deserts,” leading to a reliance on cheaper, processed unhealthy foods. The jobs in which Black workers are disproportionately employed may contribute to these health issues, as their work is more likely to be physically and psychologically demanding. All of these factors also combine to contribute to increased risks of health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, respiratory illness and hypertension.

What questions are shaping your research?

There’s much we don’t know about how historically racist policies such as redlining continued to affect the employment trajectories of Black Americans. People can work for 45 years or more in their lives, so it’s essential that we understand the factors that shape occupational trajectories and the subsequent impacts they have on a person’s health.

This project looks at three areas: developing an understanding of historically redlined neighborhoods as predictors of racial disparities in long-term employment trajectories: seeing how employment trajectories may be predictors of chronic health conditions and determining how education might moderate those relationships.

In what ways will the student fellows be involved?

They will contribute to data analysis and management and will conduct literature reviews to gather relevant reports on social and economic disparities and health outcomes. They’ll help synthesize findings to inform the study’s background and contextual understanding. Students will also have opportunities to engage with the local community since my goal is to work with grassroots organizations that are already addressing the adverse effects of redlining in Syracuse.

What do you hope to accomplish with this research?

My goal is to illustrate how the historical discriminatory redlining policy that systematically marginalized Black communities still adversely impacts work and health for those communities today, regardless of residents’ educational attainment.

Ultimately, we want to raise awareness regarding the lasting effects of discriminatory practices as fundamental social determinants of health that require much attention, and inspire policymakers, community leaders and the public to drive meaningful action.

A Syracuse University News story by Diane Stirling originally published on Aug. 16, 2024.

Adelaide Gilley, a senior in Falk College’s Sport Analytics program, already has an extensive resume of on-campus experiences. She is Co-Head of Player Performance for the Syracuse University men’s basketball team, Vice President of Membership for the Sport Management Club, and Co-Chair of the club’s 20th Annual Charity Sports Auction, to name a few. Now, she can add Baseball Operations Intern for the Houston Astros to her growing list.

Gilley says a connection she made at a Women in Sports Data Symposium in Philadelphia that she attended through Falk College last September helped her get the internship with the Astros for the summer of 2024. As a Houston native, Gilley says it was a dream come true to work for her hometown team.

Camila Malda, a senior in Falk’s Department of Sport Management, is originally from Mexico City, Mexico. She spent her summer as a Corporate Partnerships Intern for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

Malda says a fellow Red Stars’ intern in ticket sales is also a Falk College student, reinforcing a lesson she has heard from her professors: “You’re going to end up working with or under someone from Syracuse University.”

We spoke with both Gilley and Malda while they were in the middle of their internships this summer. Watch these videos to learn more about their experiences working with professional sports organizations:

Video: Adelaide Gilley

Video: Camila Malda

Knowing first-hand the benefits of mentorship and allyship in breaking barriers for women in all fields of work, Warren will be spending this year’s Coming Back Together weekend giving back to current students during two signature events at Syracuse University’s Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.

Coming Back Together (CBT) is a triennial event for Black and Latino alumni to return to campus and celebrate their accomplishments, meet current students, and remain connected to Syracuse. For this year’s CBT from Sept. 12-15, Warren will participate in a networking event for current students and moderate a star-studded panel discussion called “Breaking Barriers and Empowering Women in Sport.”

“Having mentors and allies who believe in your potential can make a significant difference in one’s career trajectory,” says Warren, a member of the Falk College Advisory Board. “Additionally, creating inclusive environments where diverse voices are heard and valued is essential for driving systemic change. It’s not just about giving women a seat at the table, but also ensuring they have the support and opportunities to thrive.”

Warren, fellow Falk College Advisory Board members Dr. LaTisha Marshall and Andrea Massop Ramos, MCN, and Sport Management Advisory Council member Jasmine Jordan worked together to create the Falk networking and panel discussion events.

Warren earned her Bachelor of Science (’04) and Master of Science in Exercise Physiology (’06) degrees from Syracuse University, and her Ph.D. in public health with a focus on health aspects of physical activity from the University of South Carolina. Affectionately known as “Dr. Tati,” Warren is a distinguished health equity strategist and the founder of Just TATI, a multimedia initiative dedicated to disseminating accurate, evidence-based health information to diverse audiences. Warren consults with health professionals, community leaders, educators, and community members to implement and evaluate effective health programs.

Warren attended CBT for the first time in 2017 and says the weekend “was incredibly nostalgic” for her as she played in the inaugural CBT Celebrity Basketball Classic for former student-athletes.

“I’ve learned that Coming Back Together is a fantastic opportunity to bridge the gap across all generations, especially for Black and Latino communities, and invest in the future Syracuse leaders of tomorrow,” she says.

To that end, Warren, Massop Ramos, and other notable Syracuse University alums will participate in a speed networking event with students from 12-12:45 p.m. Sept. 13 in Room 335 at Falk College. Massop Ramos is a clinical nutritionist, private health chef, and entrepreneur who in 2018 founded Healthy FRIENDZ Nutrition to build independence and confidence in youth, students with disabilities, and the aging.

Warren says networking is a crucial gateway to establishing and advancing your career, and she has a wealth knowledge and experience to share after spending nearly two decades specializing in community engagement and improving health in underserved populations.

“My first job opportunity after completing my doctoral degree in healthcare was at a hospital, and it came about because I was a Syracuse University alumna,’’ Warren says. “I remember that interview being effortless; I simply discussed my experiences at Syracuse, highlighting how being a student-athlete and specifically a student-athlete of color laid the foundation for my commitment to community-based work from an equity perspective.”

The panel discussion featuring Syracuse women’s basketball head coach Felisha Legette-Jack, NFL Players Association Director of Player Programs and Engagement Chinny Nwagbo, and award-winning broadcaster Vera Jones (all former Syracuse basketball players) will run from 1-1:50 p.m. Sept. 13 in Grant Auditorium at Falk College.

Jones will also be the emcee and announcer for this year’s CBT Celebrity Basketball Classic. “This game is for those who can walk the walk,” Jones says. “I can talk the talk and that’s what I plan to do!”

Warren says the panel topic–Breaking Barries and Empowering Women in Sport–is important to her because she has spent her professional career breaking barriers as often the only woman or person of color serving boards or advisory groups that helped shape the future of health programs for people of color or people from marginalized communities.

“Empowering women in sports is close to my heart; as a former track and field athlete and recipient of the Doris Soladay Award, I understand the unique challenges and triumphs women face in this field,” she says. “This discussion’s theme extends beyond the sports industry as it highlights the broader issues of gender and racial equity, representation, and empowerment in all sectors of society.”

In addition to the networking event and panel discussion, Falk is sponsoring a table at the Sept. 14 “Shades of Orange Sneaker Ball,” a fundraising and alumni awards gala at the JMA Wireless Dome to support the Our Time Has Come Scholarship. Here’s a complete list of CBT events, and visit the Syracuse University website to register through Aug. 31.

Here’s more information about the guests for the Falk College panel discussion:

Felisha Legette-Jack, ’89

Head Coach – Syracuse University Women’s Basketball

“Coach Jack,” a Syracuse University alumna with degrees in child and family studies and psychology, returned to lead the Orange basketball program in 2022. With over 30 years of coaching experience, she has guided three Division I programs to 13 winning seasons, nine postseason berths, and six 20-win seasons, amassing a 343-279 record. Legette-Jack is enshrined in several halls of fame, including the Greater Syracuse Hall of Fame, the Syracuse Urban Sports Hall of Fame and the Syracuse University Orange Plus Hall of Fame. In 2021, she became the first female in Syracuse University history to have her No. 33 jersey retired in the JMA Wireless Dome rafters.

Chineze (Chinny) Nwagbo, ’05

Director of Player Programs and Engagement – NFL Players Association

Chinny Nwagbo, a former Syracuse University women’s basketball standout, graduated in 2005 with a degree in biology. She played professional basketball for 11 years in various countries and represented Nigeria in the 2006 World Championship Games. Post-retirement, Nwagbo has built a successful career in the sports industry with roles at the U.S. Department of State, PeacePlayers International, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, and more. She now serves as Director of Player Programs and Engagement at the NFLPA, creating resources to help professional athletes succeed beyond their playing careers.

Vera Jones, ’88, G’91

President. Vera’s VoiceWorks, LLC
Adjunct Professor of Public Speaking. University of North Florida

Vera Jones, is a motivational speaker, communication coach, author, and award-winning broadcaster. She has over 30 years of experience as a women’s basketball analyst and reporter for ESPN, Fox Sports, and NBA-TV. Vera hosts the women’s basketball show “Certified Unscripted” and the motivational podcast “Perseverance Live.” She holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and a master’s degree in television, radio, and film from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Syracuse University is teaming up with the nationally recognized Women Leaders in Sports to launch a unique partnership that seeks to advance knowledge and enhance the professional acumen and management skills of sport administrators and executives. The new partnership between the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics and Women Leaders in Sports comes at a time when more women are participating in sports than ever before and as Syracuse University brings to life its commitment to elevating sport across all facets of the University, including through academic study, experiential learning, club sports and intercollegiate athletics.

“Falk College is creating exceptional experiential learning opportunities for future sports professionals,” says Falk College Dean Jeremy S. Jordan. “Women’s prominence in sports is growing exponentially as they lead traditional male and female teams, engage larger audiences, earn new sponsorships and gain greater media attention than ever before. This partnership integrates our students and faculty with the outstanding work of Women Leaders in Sports and guides us as we develop programming and curricula to meet the needs of this dynamic field.”

Jordan also noted that the recently concluded Summer Olympics generated tremendous excitement and support for women in a variety of sports. It was the fourth Summer Olympic Games where female U.S. athletes won more medals than their male counterparts. The Orange Spirit was evident in Paris, from former student-athletes who competed in various sports, to faculty and students participating in academic opportunities, to those working behind the scenes—many facilitating media coverage of women-dominated and other events.

The novel partnership was inspired after Syracuse University’s Women in Leadership (WiL) Initiative hosted Women Leaders in Sports’s Chief Executive Officer Patti Phillips on campus last March for a series of meetings and presentations. The collaborative effort will create mentoring, learning, fellowship, internship and membership opportunities for Falk students, provide access to professional memberships to Falk faculty and support faculty attendance at significant events, such as the Women Leaders in Sports National Convention. The joint agreement names Phillips as special advisor to Jordan and enlists her services as an “executive in residence” at Falk. The partnership also calls for an exchange of relevant University research and co-creates a Women Leaders in Sports Fellowship.

Women Leaders in Sports is a 45-year-old organization dedicated to enhancing women’s influence and transforming leadership in sports. Phillips notes that this new partnership makes great strategic sense given the synergies between her organization and the Falk College.

“We accelerate the potential of women to positively impact sports with year-round, world-class leadership development, career training and networking,” says Phillips. “Our nearly 6,000 members share Falk College’s core commitment to mastering all facets of sports, whether business management and human performance or use of technology and marketing. Our members will gain insights that can make them even more effective administrators and executives.”

According to Women Leaders in Sports, nearly half of the women who attend one of the organization’s leadership experiences advance in their careers within a year. The organization hosted 16 national events in 2023. Beyond training and networking, the group also hosts an exclusive online career platform, celebrates member accomplishments with awards and media recognition, and engages, educates and challenges industry leaders to make more diverse and equitable hiring decisions.

Today’s announcement comes just four months after Syracuse University announced it would transform the Falk College into a first-of-its-kind College of Sport. The reimagined David B. Falk College of Sport will be the first standalone college on an R1 campus to focus exclusively on sports-related disciplines, making the University among the leading academic institutions for preparing students to lead and drive innovation in sport-related fields and industries. The transformation follows two decades of recognized excellence in sport management, sport analytics, exercise science and nutrition, and such innovative interdisciplinary majors as esports. The Falk College’s excellence, combined with the high growth of sport in the U.S. and around the world, has created unprecedented demand for talented practitioners and professionals.

About the Reimagined David B. Falk College of Sport

The reimagined Falk College of Sport will house academic programs in sport management, sport analytics, exercise science, nutrition and, jointly with the Newhouse School of Public Communications, 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 and innovation that 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.

About Women Leaders in Sports

Founded in 1979, Women Leaders in Sports is the only nationally recognized professional membership organization whose mission is to develop, connect, advance and champion women leaders working in sports. Women Leaders provides career and leadership training, access to a powerful network and the resources to advance women at every stage of their careers. Learn more about the organization on its website and follow Women Leaders on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok @WomenLeaders.

Syracuse University’s Women in Leadership (WiL)

Establishing Syracuse University as a pacesetter in cultivating women leaders, the Women in Leadership Initiative supports professional development for women on campus through education, awareness and mentorship. Created in 2018, the WiL seeks to catalyze the personal and collective advancement of women on campus. WiL hosts a robust professional development program, with opportunities customized to the needs of faculty and staff. Participants benefit from the real experiences and candid advice offered by panels and solo guest speakers.

A Syracuse University News story originally published on Aug. 20, 2024

Matthew Armstrong

Matthew Armstrong, Ph.D., joins the Department of Exercise Science as an assistant professor of exercise science. This August, Armstrong founded the Applied Cardiovascular Physiology Lab at Syracuse University. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Armstrong was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Health and Human Physiology from 2021-24 at the University of Iowa, where he conducted research focused on large artery structure and function. Before moving to the United States, he completed a Ph.D. in Australia at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania.

Learn more about Matthew Armstrong.

William Collins

William “Bill” Collins joins the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies as an assistant teaching professor. He will teach classes in Food Science and Culinary Arts. Prior to this appointment, Collins worked at Syracuse University for 17 years as a Culinary Specialist. Before joining Syracuse University, Collins spent 30 years as an Executive Chef and Food and Beverage Director operating restaurants in Manhattan and across Central New York. He was employed at Montrachet, TriBeCa Grill, Nobu, Reebok Sports Club, MacKenzie-Childs, the Aurora Inn, and his signature restaurant, bc, located in Armory Square in downtown Syracuse.

Learn more about Williams Collins.

Jason DeFreitas

Jason DeFreitas, Ph.D., joins the Department of Exercise Science as chair and professor of exercise science. Prior to joining Syracuse University, DeFreitas was an associate professor and program coordinator of the Health and Human Performance program at Oklahoma State University. He spent 11 years at Oklahoma State, where he primarily taught classes in neuroanatomy and neuromuscular physiology. DeFreitas’ research focuses on how the brain controls movement, and how that control system changes with aging and/or training. His lab utilizes brain stimulation techniques, functional brain imaging, nerve conduction studies, and more. He has a strong applied focus with goals of reducing fall risk in older adults through physical activity interventions and improved diagnostic testing.

Learn more about Jason DeFreitas.

Sue Cornelius Edson

Sue Cornelius Edson joins the Department of Sport Management as a professor of practice. Edson currently serves as chief communications officer for Syracuse Athletics and is responsible for all public relations and media relations functions for the department. A 34-year veteran of Syracuse Athletics, Edson was promoted to her current role in the spring of 2015. Prior to her promotion, she served as associate director of athletics for communications (2006-14), assistant director of athletics for communications (2004-06), and director of athletic communications (1997-2004). Edson previously taught a class in sports public relations as an adjunct professor in Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications from 1994 to 2013.

Learn more about Sue Cornelius Edson.

Brandon Hollie

Brandon Hollie, Ph.D., joins the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy as an online assistant teaching professor. He will primarily teach classes related to theories of Marriage and Family Therapy. Currently, Hollie is the Owner/CEO of Hollie Therapy and Counseling and a researcher at Mathematica Policy Research. Prior to Mathematica, he was a postdoctoral research scholar with the Family Institute at Northwestern University.

Learn more about Brandon Hollie.

Alexia Lopes

Alexia Lopes, Ph.D., joins the Department of Sport Management as an assistant teaching professor. She will teach classes in International Sports Relations and Introduction to Sport Management. Her teaching focus will be on the international business of sport. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Lopes was an assistant professor from 2022-24 at St. Norbert College, where in two years she started two sport management programs (i.e., a minor and a major) in the Schneider School of Business and Economics. Beyond developing the sport management curriculum and teaching business courses, she was actively engaged in the Green Bay community.

Learn more about Alexia Lopes.

Britney Pitts

Britney Pitts, Ph.D., joins the School of Social Work as an assistant teaching professor in the online master of social work program (M.S.W.). Her teaching centers on anti-racism and social justice to support individual, family, and community well-being. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Pitts taught human behavior courses, advanced clinical practice courses, and generalist field instruction at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). She supervised M.S.W. and bachelor of social work (B.S.W.) interns and received the 2023 Liaison of the Year Award at VCU. Pitts also taught research courses at Iona University.

Learn more about Britney Pitts.

Kerianne Rubenstein

Kerianne Rubenstein, Ph.D., joins the Department of Sport Management as an assistant professor. She will teach classes in sport Analytics, primarily sport economics. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Rubenstein was an assistant professor from 2021-24 at North Dakota State University, where she taught economics and was a fellow with the Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth, and the Center for the Study of Public Choice and Private Enterprise.

Learn more about Kerianne Rubenstein.

Riley Whiting

Riley Whiting, Ph.D., joins the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy as an assistant teaching professor. He will teach graduate courses for the Marriage and Family Therapy program. Whiting recently completed his doctorate at the Ohio State University, where he nurtured his passion for teaching, clinical work, and research. He enjoys working with individuals, couples, and families in a private practice, and finds satisfaction in seeking to inspire students both in the classroom and through research.

Learn more about Riley Whiting.

During the academy, participants experience college life firsthand–-residing in dormitories on campus, eating at dining halls, using university labs and facilities, and practicing with industry software such as Tableau and Excel.

“It’s helpful; moving in, especially. Knowing what I’ll need will make it easier a year from now when I’m moving into whatever dorm,” says Max Kaplan, a rising senior from Marietta, Georgia, who hopes that dorm is at Syracuse University next fall. Kaplan learned about the academy during a tour in March and plans to apply for early decision to Falk College.

This summer’s schedule included trips to the Syracuse Crunch, Syracuse Mets, Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown; speaking with industry professionals; and touring facilities. Back on campus, one of the activities had students complete NFL combine-style exercises while wearing Catapult Sports Technology vests that track performance data such as heartrate, blood oxygenation, and energy expenditure. Students later analyzed that data and used it to hold a fun mock draft.

“They’re getting a real taste of what it means to do sport analytics here at Syracuse University. A lot of what we’re doing is hands-on experience working with data in the same sort of way that they would as students here and as professionals,” says Assistant Professor Jeremy Losak, who organizes and oversees the Berlin Academy program.

This summer’s program included an esports day as Falk College prepares to launch its esports degree program in tandem with the Newhouse School of Public Communications this fall. During the exercise, video games and analytics came together, demonstrating there is more to esports than just playing video games.

“While one person in the pair is playing, the other person is doing scouting reports. We are looking to do our best to simulate what in-game analytics would look like, the fast pace of it and marking off certain events that are happening, and looking at frequencies and strategies,” says Nick Riccardi, adjunct professor at Falk College.

The academy brings students with an interest in the sport industry together, building long lasting connections and relationships.

Dani Dallas, an academy participant from San Francisco, was apprehensive after learning she was one of only three girls in her session, but those fears quickly went away.

“I’ve never felt singled out or different or like I don’t have as much knowledge about sports,” Dallas says. “Everyone has been super nice and welcoming. Even the guys in my class have just wanted to be genuine friends.”

Kaplan echoed a similar feeling about the group.

“Making friends is quite easy here because we’re all kind of in the same situation, so that’s been very nice and helpful” Kaplan says.

You can learn more about the Berlin Sport Analytics Academy and apply here. Visit the Falk College website to learn more about the Sport Analytics program.

The Berlin Sport Analytics Academy is made possible through the generous support of Andrew Berlin ’83 and Falk College’s partners at the Syracuse University Office of Pre-College Programs.

Syracuse University’s David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, in collaboration with the University of Nevada Las Vegas Sports Innovation Institute and the Las Vegas-based guest experience agency Circle, spent more than a year planning the event, which was held July 15-17 at the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

The event featured exhibitor pods, innovation labs, daily keynotes, seminars/sessions, alumni gatherings, networking events, roundtables, and daily wrap parties with music entertainment.

“SEICon was a great success,” said Syracuse University Sport Analytics Professor Rodney Paul, who helped organize the event. “The panelists were terrific, the Innovation Hub showed off incredible technology, and the keynotes were incredibly informative. We are extremely proud of our partnership with UNLV and Circle and greatly look forward to future joint endeavors.”

Attendees met with industry executives while exploring the latest innovations in sports and entertainment, esports and gaming, sports sociology and diversity, broadcast brands and media, research and development, and more.

Syracuse University Sport Analytics students Danny Baris ’26, Jessica Fackler ’26, Daniel Griffiths ’26, Marcus Mann ’26, Piper Moskow ’26, and Jonah Soos ’25 presented their research at SEICon’s Innovation Hub.

Among the Syracuse University alumni serving as panelists were Jesse Abrams ’13, Julie Nemeroff Friedman ’08, Jasmine Jordan ’14, Lori Robinson ’09, Chris Sotiropulos ’10, and Alyssa Wood ’15. Also, SEICon’s Innovation Hub featured alums Casey Miller ’08, Nick Twomey ’17, and Simon Weiss ’17.

Circle Chief Executive Officer and Sport Management Advisory Council member Shawn Garrity ’86 serves as SEICon Director. The next SEICon event is scheduled for Nov. 19 in New York City.