Syracuse Sport Management, Sport Analytics, Esports 2024-2025 Newsletter

Inside

Congratulations to the Class of 2025

Esports Communications and Management Update

Immersion Trips and Experiential Learning

Student Organizations

Sport Analytics Program Success

Alumni

From the Department Chair

As we look upon the 2025-2026 academic year, we do so at a very exciting time for Sport Management. This year we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sport Management program at Syracuse University, welcome the first large student cohort for Esports Communications and Management, and Sport Analytics will capitalize on its tremendous success and growth and become its own department.

These accomplishments would not be possible without our students, alumni, Advisory Board and Emerging Leaders Council members, program supporters, industry partners, and past and present faculty and staff. As we enter a time of change for the department, college, and the sport industry, we strive to develop preeminent academic programs in sport.

Our focus remains on providing real-world learning experiences and opportunities for our students, study abroad and study away offerings which enrich the student experience, innovative research designed to expand knowledge while providing thought leadership, and a curriculum which meets the needs of the industry and prepares our students to enter the workforce.

This newsletter highlights the many accomplishments of our Sport Management, Sport Analytics, and Esports Communications and Management students. We continue to be amazed by, and proud of, their achievements. From international and domestic Capstone experiences, award-winning research, innovative class projects with industry professionals, raising a record amount of money for local charities, winning academic competitions, networking on immersion trips, providing leadership to clubs, and much more, we hope you share in our excitement for their achievements and what’s to come.

We will continue to update you with department news and opportunities to get involved, connect, and share in our collective success. We encourage you to stay connected with us as we work together to fulfill our vision of being the leading Sport Management academic program.

Sincerely,

Patrick Walsh, Ph.D.

Professor, Department Chair Sport Management

Welcome and Greetings From the Dean

In the fall of 2005, the first class of 45 sport management students arrived at what was then called the College of Human Services and Health Professions. Now, 20 years later, we proudly welcome the nearly 400 new students who will enter the reimagined David B. Falk College of Sport–the nation’s first standalone college at a high-research activity university to focus solely on sport-related disciplines.

With programs in esports communications and management, exercise science, nutrition, sport analytics, and sport management, the Falk College of Sport will blend rigorous academics with immersive experiences as our students prepare to embrace and reshape the highly evolving sport industry.

We have entered this new era of Falk College thanks to the incredible work of our dedicated community of alumni, faculty, staff, students, donors, and partners. Thank you for your continued support and contributions over the last 20 years, and I can’t wait to see where you’re going to help take us over the next 20!

Jeremy S. Jordan, Ph.D.

Professor and Dean, Falk College of Sport

Students

Congratulations to the Class of 2025

The Department of Sport Management would like to congratulate 104 Sport Management undergraduates and 52 Sport Analytics undergraduates who received their degrees as part of the Syracuse University Class of 2025.

Our Department’s traditional celebration of graduates during Commencement Weekend was held for seniors and their families, as well as faculty and staff, on May 9 in Falk College.

We are very proud of our Sport Management and Sport Analytics graduates. The Class of 2025 will be remembered with distinction as 66 students graduated Cum Laude, 42 graduated Magna Cum Laude and 21 graduated Summa Cum Laude. Eleven students earned a Master’s Degree in Sport Analytics. Seven students earned a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Sport Analytics.

Department Marshals were Piper Evans (Sport Analytics) and Stevan Chuck (Sport Management).

Eighteen Sport Management students received an Academic Achievement Award for earning a GPA of 3.4 or higher for each of their consecutive semesters at Syracuse University: Nicholas Albanese, Jared August, Nathan Blashka, Ian Donella, Griffin Goldberg, Jack Hitter, Katherine Holler, Emma Isaacson, Matthew Kahan, Leo Lau, Livia McQuade, Kirstyn Schechter, Sawyer Shalit, Jacob Tilem, Alivia Uribe and Tynan Weathers.

Sport Analytics majors Isabel Alfonso, Nathan Backman, Piper Evans, Madelyn Forster, Hunter Geise, Adelaide Gilley, Caitlin Kohlmeier, Hunter Kuchenbaur, Chris Marfisi, Jarrett Markman, Anna Pierce, Ryan Severe, Jonah Soos and Evan Vassilovski were named Berlin Scholars.

Class of 2025 Awards:

• Excellence in Sport Management Award: Livia McQuade

• Sport Management Award for Academic Promise: Jacob Tilem

• Sport Management Academic Honors Award: Nathan Blashka

• Sport Management Professional Engagement Award: Jack Hitter

• Sport Management VIP Award: Brooke Siket

• Jason Morales Perseverance in Sports and Life Award: Elizabeth Carruthers

• Matt Brodsky Philanthropic Award: Erin Moore

• Kate Veley Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility Award: Tynan Weathers

• Patrick Ryan Innovation in Sport Award: Alivia Uribe

Photos in this section with captions included: A photo showing Sport Management award winners posed with awards in hand; Sport Management Marshal Stevan Chuck,Sport Analytics Marshal Piper Evans and Falk College Scholars AnnaPierce, Jarrett Markman, Jonah Soos and Benjamin Jennings; Sport Management seniors Aryssa Hopps, Livia McQuade,Erin Moore, Katie Holler and Brooke Siket at the 2025 Falk CollegeConvocation; Sport Analytics graduates Brett Cerenzio, Jonah Soos,Isabel Alfonso, Caden Lippie, Dylan Stafeil, Jayke Pastis and Aaron Rofeat Falk College Convocation.

Students receive assistance from scholarship funds

Annual scholarships assist students with the financial aspects of completing summer internships or senior Capstones

Jennifer Corn Carter Fund

The Jennifer Corn Carter Senior Capstone Award for Sport Management supports students in the department during their senior Capstone experiences. For the 2024-25 academic year, five students were honored with this award: William Gordon, who interned with Syracuse University Athletics; Jordyn Lee, who interned with Syracuse University Athletics; Marni Nirenberg, who interned with WSC Sports; Christopher Robinson, who interned with the Syracuse Crunch; and Aidan Zaicek, who interned with Orange United.

Jennifer Corn Carter is a graduate of Syracuse University, with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work. She was honored with the Falk College’s 2010 Alumna of the Year Award for her on-going support of our students and Syracuse University. Her vision and support created the Jennifer Corn Carter Resource and Career Center in Falk College.

Student Learning Fund

Fourteen Sport Management seniors were awarded scholarships from the Sport Management Student Learning Fund during the 2024-25 academic year. Each received $500 to $1000. The scholarships went to Jared August, Vianka Calderon, Maggie Fleck, Jared Hackmyer, Michael Hartmann, Emma Issacson, Jordan Krebs, Livia McQuade, Edu Pena Rollet, Luke Profaci, Mary Quinn, John Savage, Griffin Stark, and Jake Williams.

Undergraduate Summer Internship Fund

The Sport Management Summer Internship Fund is used each year to provide support to undergraduate students pursuing unpaid summer internships, enabling them to gain industry experience.

Thirteen students were awarded scholarships for their 2025 summer internships: Oliver Almeter, Mikayla Bengsch, Josh Berzow, Bryan Calle, Timothy Caulfield, Charlie Liu, Marcus Mann, Danielle Napierski, Zack Oatman, Hayden Orenstein, Chase Rosenblum, Ramon Sara and Owen St. Onge.

For more information about the funds, contact the Department of Sport Management at 315-443-9881.

Student photos included in this section: William Gordon, Jordyn Lee, Marni Nirenberg, Christopher Robinson, Aidan Zaicek.

ACC honors student-athletes

Fifteen Syracuse University Department of Sport Management student-athletes were named to the Atlantic CoastConference (ACC) Honor Roll for the 2024-25 academic year. The Honor Roll is comprised of student-athletes who participated in a varsity-level sport and registered a gradepoint average of 3.0 or better for the full academic year. The honorees for Sport Analytics and Sport Management majors are:

• Laila Alves, Softball

• Peyton Armstrong, Ice Hockey

• Stevan Chuck, Crew

• Anna Croyle, Soccer

• Taylor Davison, Softball

• Lauren Fox, Softball

• Jack Grossman, Soccer

• Heidi Knoll, Ice Hockey

• Emma Muchnick, Lacrosse

• McKenzie Olsen, Lacrosse

• John Richiusa, Lacrosse

• Marissa Saunders, Track

• Nea Tervonen, Ice Hockey

• Alivia Uribe, Soccer

• Georgia Woolley, Basketball

Support our students and faculty

The Sport Management Discretionary Fund provides students with professional development opportunities such as attending conferences, networking events, immersion experiences, and learning from guest speakers. It also supports faculty through professional development funding and conference travel to present their research.

Make your gift today!

Senior Capstone Experience

Among the most valuable attributes of the Department of Sport Management is its connection with the sport industry, which impacts students in numerous ways, including the Senior Capstone experience. As a part of their degree requirements, Sport Management students must complete a 12-credit Capstone providing an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in the sports industry before graduation.

Since the Capstone is the culmination of one’s academic experience, the planning process begins during a student’s freshman year. The process concludes with the full-semester experience with a specific sport entity or organization as local as Central New York to across the United States and around the world.

A Capstone requires students to work with a sport-related organization for a minimum of 540 hours over the course of one semester, gaining experience in areas such as sales, marketing, finance, analytics, event management, collegiate athletics, communications, law, community relations, and more.

Listed below are Sport Management students and the organizations where they completed their senior Capstone in 2024-2025. We are grateful to our growing list of Capstone partners, who continue to provide tremendous learning opportunities for our students.

Fall 2024

Spring 2025

Summer 2025

Capstone

Getting the ball rolling with Brooklyn FC

By Edu Pena Rollet, SPM ’25

During the Spring 2025 semester, I worked as a business development intern at Brooklyn Football Club in Brooklyn, New York, within the sales and business operations department. During my internship, I focused on lead generation, outreach to community organizations, and supporting matchday operations. I also contributed to early-stage revenue initiatives as the club prepared for its inaugural season.

Throughout this experience, I learned how to navigate key industry tools like Salesforce for CRM management and SeatGeek Unify for ticketing operations. These platforms helped me track sales pipelines, manage client relationships and coordinate ticketing strategies efficiently. I gained confidence in outbound outreach, learned how to structure sponsorship pitches, and deepened my understanding of what drives revenue in a professional sports setting.

What I liked best was being part of a brand new club where my work had a visible impact. I helped coordinate outreach to local schools and soccer programs and worked on multiple events, including the club’s historic home opener at Maimonides Park. Being part of the energy and excitement of matchday operations was incredibly rewarding.

This internship directly led to a full-time role as a Ticket Sales Account Executive with Brooklyn FC. The transition felt seamless thanks to the hands-on experience I gained during my Capstone, and I am continuing to grow within the club’s front office. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have played a part in building something from the ground up and excited to keep contributing to the club’s success.

The power of global collaboration

By Neely Amdur, SPM ’25

In Fall 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to complete my senior Capstone as a Sales and Marketing intern at the FC Bayern Munich regional office in New York City. I contributed both in-person and remotely, collaborating with the Brand and Content Marketing and Business Development teams to develop brand activations, content marketing strategies, and sponsorship research that supported growth across the Americas.

My primary role was to identify innovative opportunities and partnerships that aligned with the club’s values while driving business in the U.S. market. I researched hundreds of brands across various leagues, including the NWSL, MLS, NFL, NBA, La Liga, and Premier League, supporting sponsorship pitches, executive briefings, content performance analyses, and event recaps. No day was the same; however, research consistently guided my work, enabling informed decision-making and strategic execution.

One of the highlights of my experience was working on a global scale, collaborating with international teams, connecting with fans and colleagues worldwide, and contributing to content and partnerships that resonate across cultures. I particularly enjoyed organizing and attending watch party events, which brought the community together in exciting and meaningful ways.

I am immensely grateful for the mentorship, opportunities and hands-on experience I gained at FC Bayern Munich. I learned how to align a brand’s core values, market positioning, and audience insight to build partnerships that truly resonate with fans. International sports marketing has shown me the power of global collaboration. It’s a space I find both inspiring and fulfilling, and I’m excited to continue growing in this field as I explore full-time opportunities.

Capstone leads to full-time job with FIFA World Cup 26 Kansas City

By Livia McQuade, SPM ’25

In Spring 2025, I joined FIFA World Cup 26 Kansas City (KC2026) and the Kansas City Sports Commission (KCSC) as the KC2026 Intern. I was privileged to be involved in a multitude of projects between KC2026, KCSC, and WIN for KC, the advocacy arm of KCSC that promotes access to sports for women and girls.

I strengthened my skills in event management, marketing, communications, volunteer program development and partnerships as KC2026 prepared for One-Year-To-Go (OYTG) celebrations. We held strategy sessions for the celebrations’ look and feel, sponsor activations, and target audiences, and ultimately planned six distinctive events. Outside of OYTG preparations, KC2026 hosted a VIP event for prospective sponsors and community stakeholders, featuring panels with FIFA World Cup 26 executives. Here, I learned about vendor coordination as well as stage management.

On the KCSC and WIN for KC side, I supported the Big 12 as they executed the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships in downtown Kansas City. I managed the national anthem performers and their ASL counterparts. Additionally, I was privileged to be on site for the Women’s Sports Awards, which honors women and girls in Kansas City for their impact and triumph in sports. This year’s edition headlined former college basketball star and current WNBA player Caitlin Clark as the keynote speaker.

Upon completion of my Capstone, I was incredibly grateful to accept an offer to remain with KC2026 as an Events Assistant.

From Syracuse University Athletics to the Chicago Bears

By Stevan Chuck, SPM ’25

I was fortunate to complete my Spring 2025 senior Capstone with the Syracuse University Athletic Communications office, helping with winter and spring sports while continuing to compete for Syracuse University’s Rowing team. This unique opportunity allowed me to experience both sides of college athletics, as I worked with student-athletes while being one myself.

I assisted with graphics and content for various social media channels, authored numerous articles and feature stories, assisted with research projects, and helped with accurate live statistics and media content during games and live events. The mix of in-office and game-day tasks exposed me to a variety of practical and intangible skills that shaped me into a better sports professional.

My favorite part of the Capstone was crafting a series of short-form interviews of student-athletes for Syracuse University’s Men’s Rowing team’s Instagram account. Having the opportunity to blend my work with my passion for rowing and bond with my teammates was a unique privilege made possible by this Capstone. The interviews stand as a tangible reminder of the special bond between Falk College and Syracuse University’s athletic department.

I am forever grateful to the Athletic Communications staff and my Falk College professors for the Capstone opportunity of a lifetime. I am blessed to take the skills I learned during my Capstone into a role with the Chicago Bears as a Football Communications Seasonal Assistant.

A letter from the SPM Club president

By James Stickel, SPM ’26, SPM Club President

The 2024–25 academic year was memorable and impactful for the Syracuse University Sport Management Club. From our record-breaking Charity Sports Auction and networking trip to Boston, to our guest speaker events and weekly volunteering with Central New York charities, the SPM Club once again demonstrated what a passionate, committed group of students can achieve. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our student leaders, the enthusiasm of our members, and the unwavering support of Dr. Jeremy Losak and Professor Emeritus Michael Veley.

The Sport Management Club offers students opportunities for both personal and professional growth, while enabling them to make a meaningful impact on the Syracuse community. Our programming includes professional development workshops, industry networking, philanthropy, and social events that help strengthen our sense of community.

A highlight of this past year was a networking trip to Boston, where members had the opportunity to watch Syracuse Football take on Boston College and connect with alumni and professionals from the Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtics. Back on campus, we welcomed representatives from leading sport organizations, including the NBA, NFL, ESPN, Buffalo Bills, Florida Panthers, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame. We thank our alumni for staying connected and Falk College faculty for their support. Together, they make these valuable professional experiences possible.

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of our program is the chance to engage with various Central New York charities. A standout from this past academic year was volunteering weekly at the Syracuse Rescue Mission Alliance, the beneficiary of our charity auction. Our efforts included serving meals and sorting clothing to support individuals facing homelessness and food insecurity.

The Sport Management Club is always excited to welcome new members. The Club’s executive board (Kaden Halboth, Emily Gilbert, Allison Vilms, Robbie Rychlik and Jacob Swibel) would like to thank prior board members Jack Martin, Livia McQuade, Tynan Weathers, Adelaide Gilley and Kate Bradley for their service. This club is defined by the people within it and the lasting bonds we form—among ourselves and with the Syracuse community.

Connecting via the Sport Professionals of Color Club

The Department of Sport Management’s Sport Professionals of Color Club is an organization that strives to uplift and connect students of color who are interested in working in the sport industry.

The organization was formed during the 2014-15 academic year with the purpose of helping to guide young professionals in their pursuit of success and career establishment in the industry. The club strives to improve members’ professional skills, host speakers, foster networking growth, and create a sense of community among students of different backgrounds.

In Spring 2025, the Club held a speaker series that featured experts from different sectors of the sports industry. Syracuse University alumnus Daniel Anyaegbunam, a board member of the National Amateur Fall Baseball Federation and a member of Falk College’s Emerging Leaders Council, led an engaging discussion on sport law, general counseling, and ethics, offering a deeper understanding of legal challenges in sports. Syracuse alumna Elena Randolph ’24, who works for the New Orleans Pelicans as a Team Development Associate, shared her career journey and provided guidance on breaking into the industry, building connections, and excelling in team operations. Additionally, a professional from MKTG introduced members to MKTG’s training program, highlighting career paths in sports marketing and strategies for success.

The Club also hosted workshops during the 2024-25 academic year designed to help members grow, develop and enhance their skills. These sessions focused on professional development, networking strategies and resume building, ensuring that members are well-prepared for future opportunities.

Club leaders for 2024-25 were Jeremiah Patterson-Yancey, Jada Johnson, Nicole “Violet” Holmes, CJ Green, Meadow McNeil, Rahsheek Hill, Trinity Jennings-Pagan and Cindy Dupiton.

Photos with captions in this section include: Among the members of the Sport Professionals of Color Club featured in a photo are Jada Johnson, Tynan Weathers, Jeremiah Patterson, Nicole Holmes, Ramon Sara, CJ Green, Meadow McNeil and Trinity Jennings-Pagan.

SPM Club raises $59,500 at 20th Charity Auction

The Sport Management Club at Syracuse University raised $59,500 for the Rescue Mission of Syracuse as a result of its 20th Annual Charity Sports Auction.

During the Syracuse men’s basketball game on Dec. 10, 2024 supporters purchased items and placed bids on sports memorabilia, electronics, jewelry, gift baskets, experiences, books, and trips, among other items. In addition to the in-person event, an online auction was held where online supporters placed bids on hundreds of items.

The Rescue Mission strives to end hunger and provide hope to those in need.

Apex Entertainment served as the Title Sponsor for the 2024 auction.

Seniors Adelaide Gilley (Sport Analytics), Livia McQuade (Sport Management) and Tynan Weathers (Sport Management served as co-chairs for the event.

The SPM Club is a student-run organization in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics’ Department of Sport Management. Since its founding in 2005, the club has raised more than $760,000 for local charities. Previous beneficiaries of the club’s annual charity auction include Tillie’s Touch, Boys & Girls Clubs, Golisano Children’s Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY, the Central New York SPCA, the Upstate Cancer Center, Special Olympics New York, Food Bank of CNY, the Salvation Army, American Diabetes Association, Make A Wish CNY, Meals on Wheels, the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation, McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center, and Vera House.

“The students have outdone themselves with this year’s Charity Sports Auction, and I couldn’t be prouder,” said Dr. Jeremy Losak, Sport Analytics assistant professor, who also serves as the organization’s faculty advisor. “While the public sees the excitement of the live event on game day, the real work happens behind the scenes, with students spending months planning every detail. From marketing and sales to sponsorship activation, analytics, event management, and fundraising, this event gives students a hands-on opportunity to apply classroom knowledge while making a real impact on the greater Syracuse community. This is scholarship in action at its finest.”

Photos with captions in this section include: More than 50 students volunteered at the 2024 Falk College Department of Sport Management Charity Sports Auction on Dec. 10, 2024, at the JMA Wireless Dome. Syracuse University seniors Livia McQuade, Adelaide Gilley and Tynan Weathers served as co-chairs for the 2024 event. A check was presented to the Syracuse Rescue Mission on behalf of the Falk College Sport Management Club on February 8, 2025, at the JMA Wireless Dome. Shown above are Falk College Assistant Professor Jeremy Losak, senior Adelaide Gilley and Rescue Mission Chief Executive Officer Dan Sieburg.

Women in Sports and Events (WISE)

The Syracuse University chapter of the Women in Sports and Events (WISE) club aims to be a voice and resource for women who aspire to work in the professional field of sports and events.

Students in WISE are involved with numerous events and activities over the course of the academic year, including networking trips, fundraisers, interview workshops, professional development seminars, community service, and assisting with alumni events on campus. WISE members often volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House in Syracuse to cook and serve meals to families.

During the Spring 2025 semester, WISE members expanded their knowledge of the sport industry by attending panels, listening to guest speakers, and working together through various organizations and teams on campus. Speakers such as Leashia Lewis (Villanova Athletics), Scott Pioli (NFL), and members from the Chicago Stars (professional women’s soccer) front office joined both in person and via Zoom to share their personal and professional insight into the world of sport.

Additionally, Club members attended a Women in Sports Night panel hosted by the Syracuse Crunch, and welcomed Sport Management WISE alumni as guest speakers.

Alongside professional work, WISE spent the Spring semester trying Zumba classes at Syracuse University’s Barnes Center to work on team bonding.

The Fall 2024 semester for WISE was filled with professional growth and impactful community engagement. The Club hosted a variety of events, including campus involvement workshops and networking sessions. A highlight of the semester was WISE’s involvement with the New York Jets’ chapter of the NFL’s Crucial Catch program, led by Community Outreach Chair Jacqueline DiPaolo. This initiative featured a campus-wide fundraiser to support the cause. Beyond campus, members participated in a collaborative trip to Boston with the Sport Management Club.

Keep up with Syracuse University’s WISE Club on Social Media: Twitter: @WISE_Syracuse University; Instagram: WISE_Cuse; and Facebook: Women in Sports and Events at Syracuse University.

Falk College Peer Ambassadors

The following Sport Management and Sport Analytics students served as Falk College Peer Ambassadors in 2024-25: Vianka Calderon, Jack Hitter, Erin Moore, Marni Nirenburg, Jayke Pastis and Ryan Severe.

Falk Ambassadors assist the Admissions Office staff with recruitment activities during the year. Ambassadors provide assistance at Falk College open houses, give tours and provide the student perspective at special events throughout the year.

Visit Sport Management’s online resources

Be sure to check out http://falk.syracuse.edu for department information, program news, club meeting dates and activities, and other special events.

Also, be sure to follow Sport Management on X @SUSportMgmt, and “like” us on Facebook at Syracuse University Falk College Department of Sport Management.

Students visit 4 countries in 17 days on European Olympic Odyssey

Nine students from Syracuse University and the Department of Sport Management, led by associate professor Dr. Jamie Kim, traveled to Europe in May 2025 as part of a 17-day, four-country Olympic Odyssey trip.

The program began in London, where students experienced the impact of the 2012 Summer Games by visiting the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Wembley Stadium. Students also attended a Premier League match at the Olympic Stadium. From there, they traveled to Paris, birthplace of the modern Olympic movement and host of the 2024 Summer Games. Olympic sites such as the Eiffel tower, Versailles, and Concord Square as well as Roland Garros (while the French Tennis Open was happening) were visited. Also, the group toured INSEP, which is the training center for the French National team and houses the French Paralympics. Next, the group traveled to Lausanne, Switzerland, to inspect the present-day “Olympic Capital” and headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 1915. Students met with representatives from IOC Olympic Solidarity, IOC Olympic Studies Center, World Taekwondo, World Aquatics, Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. They also visited the Olympic Museum. The group then headed to Greece and toured the ancient facilities at Olympia. The trip concluded in Athens, site of the 1896 and 2004 Summer Games.

The group visited the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Louvre Museum, Alps, Lake Geneva, Castle Chillon, Parthenon, and the Acropolis Museum, among other sites.

Experiencing Olympic history in Lake Placid

In February 2025, students in the Department of Sport Management (as part of their SPM 356 Olympic Sport Management class) traveled to Lake Placid, accompanied by SPM associate professor Dr. Jamie Kim. It was the department’s 13th Winter Olympic Odyssey trip to Lake Placid.

The group toured Mt. Van Hoevenberg Sliding and Nordic facility; the Olympic Jumping Complex to watch the ski jumping portion of the Nordic junior world ski championship; the United States Olympic Training Center where Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls were training; the USA Luge and its training facility; the Olympic Center hockey arena, where the 1980 “miracle on ice” took place; and the Olympic museum. The group heard from Tamsin Wentzel of the Olympic Research Development Authority (ORDA) and Olympic silver medalist Gordy Sheer of USA Luge. Another highlight of the trip was taking Curling lessons at the Olympic Center and trying out Luge at the USA Luge’s start training facility.

Trip to Atlanta gives students ‘real-world’ opportunities and connections

The city of Atlanta is home to professional sports franchises in major leagues: the Braves (Major League Baseball), Hawks (NBA), Falcons (NFL), Dream (WNBA), and Atlanta United FC (Major League Soccer). Atlanta also features professional teams in lacrosse, rugby, and volleyball, along with a rich tradition of Division I collegiate sports with Georgia Tech and Georgia State.

In addition, Atlanta has hosted the biggest events in sports, including the Summer Olympics in 1996, four Super Bowls, and the NCAA Final Four men’s basketball championship, and it will be one of 11 U.S. host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Over the course of three jam-packed days in March 2025, 11 female students from Syracuse University’s Falk College visited Atlanta to meet with numerous sports organizations and female sport industry executives from several sectors of the industry. The group also attended a Braves game at Truist Park.

Jake and Suzanne Doft have sponsored the trip for the past four years in honor of their daughter, Class of 2022 Sport Management graduate Dara Doft.

The students on the trip included Jordan Boron ’25, Kate Bradley ’26, Emily Gilbert ’27, Maggie Grejda ’27, Aryssa Hopps ’25, Janet Ji ’26, Lexi Katz ’27, Anna McDonald ’26, Claire Patin ’26, Brooke Siket ’25, and Tess Wright ’27. The students, all members of the Women in Sports and Events (WISE) Club from the Department of Sport Management, were accompanied by Falk College Director of Development Skylar Sabbag, Sport Analytics Program Manager Jackie Dorchester and former Internship Placement Coordinator Beth Perez, who’s now working for Syracuse University as an Assistant Director of Development.

Photo with caption in this section includes: While on a networking trip to Atlanta, students met with executives from the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream.

We asked Siket ’25 and Bradley ’26 to share their favorite experiences from the Atlanta immersion trip, and here’s what they wrote:

Brooke Siket (Sport Management major, Marketing minor)

“As someone passionate about working in live sports and event management, this trip was everything I hoped for and more.

“Over three packed days, we met with representatives from the Atlanta Dream, Hawks, Falcons, United, Braves, Overtime Elite, United Talent Agency (UTA) and KLUTCH Sports Group, FanDuel, and the Atlanta Sports Council. Each organization gave us a behind-the-scenes look into their operations, shared advice about breaking into the industry, and emphasized the importance of relationship-building. Hearing from so many strong women in leadership roles made the experience even more empowering.

“The WISE community created an environment where I felt encouraged to ask questions, connect with professionals, and see firsthand what a career in this industry could look like. This trip reminded me why I chose Syracuse and Falk; it’s the real world opportunities and constant support that have helped me grow and feel prepared for a career in sports. This trip solidified my goals and expanded my network, and I’m so thankful to WISE, Syracuse University, the Doft family, and everyone we met in Atlanta for making it possible.”

Kate Bradley (Sport Management major, Emerging Sport Enterprises minor)

“I joined WISE during my first week on campus, and it immediately became a meaningful community for me. Surrounded by driven, like-minded women who share a passion for working in sports, I’ve found lasting friendships, valuable networking opportunities, and unforgettable professional experiences through this organization.

“One of the most impactful aspects of being in WISE has been participating in immersion trips across the country. These trips provide unique opportunities to engage directly with industry professionals and Syracuse alumni. Our recent trip to Atlanta was particularly special, as it allowed us to explore a sports market outside the Northeast.

“These immersion trips are more than just site visits; they’re hands-on learning experiences that give us a real sense of what working in different sectors of the sports industry is like. In an increasingly virtual world, having the chance to build face-to-face connections is invaluable. I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of WISE and for the opportunities it has provided to grow both personally and professionally. Thank you to everyone who met with us on this trip, and to everyone who made this adventure possible.”

Class projects keeping students busy

The Department of Sport Management prepares the next generation of sport industry leaders with an academically rigorous curriculum in addition to an emphasis on real-world projects conducted in and out of the classroom. The department has a deep focus on innovative life-skills training to help students manage the realities of professional sports.

Women in Motorsports

The SPM 324 Sport Sponsorship and Promotion class had an opportunity to work with Women in Motorsports North America Executive Director Cindy Sisson and 13 select female drivers to build them each a unique sales/marketing deck while using sport industry leading SponsorUnited software.

EA Sports

Students in the Fall 2024 SPM 444 Sport Marketing class worked with EA Sports to identify the next cover athletes for Madden 26 and College Football 26. In the spring, SPM 444 students worked with Syracuse Basketball on a projects for Midnight Madness and jersey patches.

UFL case competition

During the Spring 2025 semester, students in the SPM 225 Managing the Sport Organization class participated in a case competition to pitch ideas to the United Football League (UFL) executives. The organization provided a real-life prompt for the competition, which took place over a two-week period and with 12 teams competing in round one, and four teams in round two. The final four teams pitched their strategic plans to UFL executives. The prompt focused on strategic brand management and positioning.

Wawa and Shake Shack

Students in the SPM 215 Principles of Sales class worked with Wawa (Fall) and Shake Shack (Spring) to pitch each prospect a sport sponsorship deal to include a semester-long needs analysis and final presentation to win the business.

Name, Image and Likeness

The SPM 330 Name, Image and Likeness class worked with a variety of collegiate athletes throughout the country to build marketing decks focusing on brand deals, camps, social media analysis and charitable executions. Students worked with more than 20 Syracuse student-athletes along with others at Power 4 schools. Students also received certificates of completion from the Mimic NIL simulator powered by Stukent along with a four-week case study competition certificate activated by CleanKonnect.

High schoolers visit campus

During the Spring 2025 semester, students in the SPM 225 Managing the Sport Organization class also collaborated with the non-profit organization ICAN to host a campus visit for middle and high school students from the Utica City School District. The April 18 event aimed to introduce higher education as a future path, while also showcasing the programs at Falk College. A panel of Syracuse University student-athletes shared insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with playing sports at the collegiate level. The event emphasized experiential learning through the lens of sport for development, highlighting the potential of sport to drive positive social change and empower youth in the local community.

Leinster Rugby

Students in SPM 444 (Sport Marketing) completed a semester-long project with one of the premier professional rugby organizations in Europe, Leinster Rugby. Students developed marketing plans to help Leinster expand its brand globally and specifically to the United States. The class had the unique opportunity to hear from Leinster executives based in Dublin, Ireland, and present their plans to the club at the end of the semester.

Sport Communications

Students in the SPM 325 Sport Communications classes created communications plans for several sport organizations, including Little League International, Hockey Humanitarian Award, WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, Olympic Regional Development Authority and the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association.

Photo with caption in this section includes: Students from the Utica City School District spent a day on campus as part of an event with a Falk College Sport Management class.

News and Events

Students learn how LA sports mecca operates

Los Angeles is becoming the sports capital of the world. Home to 11 major professional sports teams, having hosted the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Super Bowl LVI, and winning the bid to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles offers a mecca of opportunities for students eager to learn about the sport and entertainment industry.

Thirteen Falk College students spent their 2025 spring break immersing themselves in all that LA has to offer in terms of sport, entertainment, health and more.

The trip to Southern California allows students to interact with industry executives and practitioners from nearly every sector of the industry. The trip compares and contrasts business practices, marketing strategies, branding initiatives, social media outreach and the organizational culture of competing sports franchises and entities in the greater Los Angeles market.

The students visited the Los Angeles Clippers, Intuit Dome, NFL Network, Dignity Health Sports Park,

AEG Worldwide, Crypto.com | Securely Buy, Sell & Trade Bitcoin, Ethereum and 400+ Altcoins Arena, Kings, Chargers, Rams, Rose Bowl, BMO Stadium, FOX Sports, OneTeam, and LAFC, as well as with nutrition and strength training industry professionals.

The group also attended a Clippers NBA game, a Galaxy MLS game, a Kings NHL game and went to Topgolf.

Accompanying the students on the trip were Falk College Exercise Science internship placement coordinator RoQue Harmon and former Sport Management internship placement coordinator Beth Perez.

Portions of the experience were made possible by a gift from Jeff and Andrea Lomasky.

Endowed Professor Rick Burton retires

Rick Burton, who was named the David B. Falk Endowed Professor of Sport Management in 2009, retired at the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic year.

The former commissioner of Australia and New Zealand’s National Basketball League (NBL), Burton is the co-author of Rise of Major League Soccer (Lyons Press, 2025). His other books include 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student- Athletes, Forever Orange, Invisible No More (an historical novel about Syracuse legend Wilmeth Sidat-Singh) and Business the NHL Way.

Burton, the former chief marketing officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, is an honorary professor at the University of Queensland in Brisbane and a regular contributor to Sportico and Sports Business Journal. A long-time leader of Syracuse University’s Study Abroad classes to Australia and Ireland, Burton will co-teach a class with Hall of Fame basketball coach Jim Boeheim (From the Bench to the Boardroom) during the Fall 2025 semester.

Burton was Syracuse University’s Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and NCAA from 2014-2022 including serving on the ACC Network’s planning committee. Along with Syracuse University associate professor Dave Meluni, Burton is a co-host of the NIL Clubhouse podcast, which is heard on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Burton, who taught both graduate and undergraduate classes during his 16-year Syracuse University tenure, won faculty of the year teaching awards twice at Falk College. He was also a member of Syracuse University’s Honors Core Faculty for more than 10 years and named Syracuse University professor emeritus in 2025.

Falk College research team wins prestigious Sport Analytics research paper competition

In March 2025, a research team from Syracuse University’s Falk College won the 19th Annual MIT Sloan Research Paper Competition.

Department of Sport Management student Alivia Uribe ’25, Sport Analytics professor Shane Sanders, and Sport Analytics associate professor Justin Ehrlich teamed with University of Reading (U.K.) professor James J. Reade and University of Stirling (Scotland) senior lecturer Carl Singleton to write “Do Behavioral Considerations Cloud Penalty-Kick Location Optimization in Professional Soccer: Game Theory & Empirical Testing using Polynomial Regression and ML Gradient Boosting.”

Their research was named best in field at the prestigious MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston.

The Sloan Sports Analytics Conference showcases cutting-edge research that’s featured in top media outlets throughout the world and has changed the way sports are analyzed. This year’s competition featured six sports tracks: Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Football, Business of Sports, and Other Sports. Abstracts were selected based on the novelty, academic rigor, and impact of the research.

Ehrlich explained that the group submitted an abstract in the fall. Out of thousands of submissions, the most promising were invited to submit full papers. These manuscripts were then evaluated, and the authors of the top seven papers were invited to present orally at the conference in Boston earlier this month. A panel of industry experts judged these presentations, and the winner was announced during an awards ceremony at the conclusion of the conference.

Uribe, a forward on the Syracuse University women’s soccer team, is the first female to be on the Research Paper Competition winning team in MIT Sloan’s 19-year history, according to the event organizers.

“This is something I’m extremely proud of,” says Uribe, a sport analytics minor. “I could not be more grateful for the professors who have helped me create this opportunity. The knowledge and expertise I bring into it as a student-athlete is something very unique.”

Sanders and Ehrlich built on their previous analytics research to assist Uribe with her research, while Reade and Singleton provided soccer data. This was the second consecutive year that Sanders and Ehrlich had a research paper selected among the top seven at MIT Sloan.

Photo with caption in this section includes: Shane Sanders, James Reade, Alivia Uribe, and Justin Ehrlich (from left) wereco-authors of the research that won the 2025 MIT Sloan Sports AnalyticsConference Research Paper Competition.

Syracuse Sport Group has busy year

The Syracuse Sport Group is a student-led planning team with the goal of delivering sport focused programming to bridge the gap between the broader sport industry and the Syracuse community.

The group aims to empower students by providing a platform to gain real-world skills, build connections in the sport industry, and represent Syracuse University as a leader in the field. The Club focuses on student engagement and leadership, ensuring that members take ownership of their roles, organize impactful events, and collaborate with peers, athletes, and industry professionals.

The organization was founded in the Fall of 2023 by students Nathan Gross, Jeremy Scott and Andrew Sender under the Syracuse Sport Business Conference name. Over the following semesters, the team rebranded to the Syracuse Sport Group.

The student leaders work closely with their Falk College Advisors, as well as Falk College alum Ben Alon ’21, who works for the NBA.

Over the 2024-25 school year, the Club partnered with Falk College to put on three events that impacted over 350 Syracuse University students. These events brought more than 15 speakers across five panel sessions covering topics such as collegiate athletics, NIL, athlete branding, financial literacy for student-athletes, and career advice. The events provided attendees with networking opportunities.

In Fall 2024, the Club put on the Syracuse Sport Business Conference in Falk College. Panelists included Jonathan Duncan, the NCAA vice president of enforcement; Nick Carparelli, the executive director at Bowl Season; and John Wildhack, Syracuse University’s director of athletics.

The Syracuse Sport Group welcomes students from all backgrounds, creating a collaborative space with diverse perspectives.

Photo with caption in this section includes: Participating in the Fall 2024 Syracuse Sports Business Conference were student Jeremy Scott, Sport Management professor of practice Sue Edson, Syracuse University Director of Athletics John Wildhack, Bowl Season Executive Director Nick Carparelli, NCAA Vice President Jonathan Duncan, student Nate Gross and student Andrew Sender.

Falk teams with UNLV for 2nd annual Sport Conference

The second annual Sports, Entertainment, and Innovation Conference (SEICon)–named by Zoomph as one of the best sports business conferences of 2025–was held July 8-10 at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.

SEICon is a partnership between the UNLV Sports Innovation Institute and Syracuse University’s David B. Falk College of Sport, in collaboration with the Las Vegas-based guest experience agency Circle, and it serves as a platform for professionals to discuss strategies and innovations shaping the future of the sports and entertainment industries.

SEICon featured industry leaders from the public and private sectors as well as academia, including keynote presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities focused on emerging trends, digital transformation, the future of fan engagement, media rights, sponsorships, and entertainment technology.

Building on the success of its inaugural year, SEICon II focused on key emerging areas within the industry, including women in sports and entertainment, motorsports, and golf.

“We are excited about the growing collaborations between Falk College, the UNLV Sports Innovation Institute and Circle,” said Rodney Paul, Director of the Sport Analytics program and a professor in the Department of Sport Analytics at Falk College. “At SEICon, we are most proud to show off our greatest asset, our students, and provide them with an unparalleled experience in one of the most dynamic sports and entertainment markets in the world.”

SEICon II included nearly 30 panel conversations and keynote speaker events, including Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, veteran news and media executive Chris Licht, and New York Post Chief Executive Officer Sean Giancola, along with a representative from Gannett/USA Today, the presenting sponsor of SEICon II.

Several Falk College of Sport faculty members lead panels, including David B. Falk Endowed Professor of Sport Management Rick Burton, Assistant Teaching Professor of Sport Management Alexia Lopes, Sport Analytics Department Chair and Professor Rodney Paul, and Professor of Sports Law John Wolohan. Falk College students also attended the event, where they presented research, took part in panel discussions, and networked for internships and future job connections.

“We are incredibly proud and excited to host SEICon II at the prestigious Bellagio,” said Jay Vickers, Chief Operating Officer of the UNLV Sports Innovation Institute. “Returning to Las Vegas and partnering with such an esteemed venue, alongside the invaluable support of our partners, underscores SEICon’s growing influence and our commitment to providing an unparalleled experience for our guests.”

Photos with captions in this section included: The second annual Sports, Entertainment, and Innovation Conference was held July 8-10 at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. Sport Analytics Class of 2025 graduate Hunter Geise presented research at the conference.

Falk College hosts first NIL Summit

In March 2025, students in Falk College’s Department of Sport Management worked together to plan and host an NIL Summit at Syracuse University. The event aimed to create a platform for students to connect with industry professionals and explore career opportunities in sports business.

The students formed a Club called the Syracuse Sport Group, led by Nate Gross, Jeremy Scott and Andrew Sender. They worked with Falk College Dean Jeremy Jordan, Sport Management Associate Teaching Professor Dave Meluni and Sport Management Professor of Practice Sue Edson to plan a workshop-based event directed toward helping student-athletes educate themselves about the rules and opportunities of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL).

“I think a lot of student-athletes just don’t know where to start,” Gross said. “The goal for this event was that they realize how achievable it is for them to capitalize on their name, image and likeness.”

Held in Falk College’s Grant Auditorium, the NIL Summit featured 10 speakers, three panel sessions, opening remarks from Syracuse Director of Athletics John Wildhack and a presentation from Rachel Maeng Brown, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of GEN Agency and GEN NIL.

Brown, who has experience helping student athletes understand content creation, was honored as one of Crain’s New York’s “20 in their Twenties” in entrepreneurship and sports in 2021. She has used her agency’s innovative program, Athletes Turned Creators, to reshape content generation for college athletes.

Brown engaged the athletes in the room by presenting case studies, such as a collaboration between Whataburger and @missbedhead, which featured a content creator’s work with the famous burger chain and how it got her unique benefits. She added lessons on scripting, feedback, filming and approvals with insights into legal and financial aspects relevant to student-athletes.

Following Brown’s presentation, the student-athletes split up. Football players entered the “Activation Zone” while other students attended a presentation from Morgan Stanley’s Global Sports & Entertainment division.

In the “Activation Zone,” players worked with Brown on their content creation, learning about brands such as W by Jake Paul and JLab Audio. Brown stressed content creation is a promising way to promote themselves, despite potentially feeling embarrassed.

“We want (student-athletes) to understand how easy it is. They can use their own cell phone. They can hype each other up,” Brown said. “Overall, we just want them to get the education so we can democratize the (NIL) space.”

“This is creativity, and I think a lot of times, athletes are afraid they’re going to be taken advantage of,” Meluni added. “I don’t want any of our student-athletes to be fearful.”

While football players created brand videos, other athletes learned about financial literacy and seizing opportunities in sports and budgeting. The group learned about unnecessary spending habits via various demonstrations.

Some athletes and other students attended a third panel session in Grant Auditorium, a seminar with representatives from Apex Entertainment, NILENT, Influxer, The Network Advisory and Sydney Moore, a Syracuse University volleyball player with her own podcast. The companies spoke about their business experiences and how they can help Syracuse athletes secure brand deals and represent companies.

“Knowledge is power. That’s a value that I hold really dear. I think as the industry changes, student-athletes should know what’s happening,” Moore said. “Decisions are being made about our lives and things that directly impact our future.”

Photos with captions in this section included: Rachel Maeng Brown coordinates a workshop during the Syracuse Sport Group’s NIL Summit. Brown, who is the Chief Executive Officer of GEN Agency and GEN NIL, served as the event’s keynote speaker. Students from Falk College hosted an NIL Summit in Spring 2025 at Syracuse University.

Women Leaders in Sports helping to create promising future for Falk students

One of the many benefits of the new partnership between the nationally recognized Women Leaders in Sports and the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics is the mentorship that Women Leaders in Sports executives are providing to Falk students.

That benefit was on full display in Spring 2025 in Falk College, when Women Leaders in Sports Chief Executive Officer Patti Phillips and Chief Strategy and Operating Officer Christina Turner met with Falk students for a networking and professional development session and hosted a lunch meeting with students from Falk and the Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Allison Vilms ’27, who is President of Syracuse University’s Women in Sports and Events Club (WISE), and Vice President of Programming for the Sport Management Club, is a Sport Management major with a double minor in business and Spanish.

“During lunch, my fellow attendees and I began to share stories of our hardships and success stories in the industry,” said Vilms. “Ms. Phillips listened first, then broke down scenarios and different ways to attack each situation to ensure that we would keep our seats at the table. The Women Leaders in Sports team ended the lunch with the advice to keep leading, because we, as students, are the future of the sport industry. I left the lunch feeling a sense of empowerment.”

Announced in August 2024, the partnership creates mentoring, learning, fellowship, internship, and membership opportunities for Falk students, provides access to professional memberships to Falk faculty, and supports faculty attendance at significant events such as the Women Leaders in Sports National Convention.

“Meeting with the executives was a wonderful experience, and learning more about their professional journeys and how they got to where they are now was eye-opening,” said Emily Gilbert ’27, a Sport Management major and Political Science minor. “It was inspiring to hear how Ms. Phillips started as a coach with mostly male mentors and that pushed her to want to create an environment where women had other women to lean on.”

Photo with caption in this section included: During a visit to Falk College during the Spring 2025 semester, Women Leaders in Sports Chief Executive Officer Patti Phillips met with Syracuse University students from Falk College and the Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Esports

A power-up year: Esports major launches, expands global footprint

In a year defined by innovation, opportunity, and global impact, Syracuse University’s Esports Communications and Management program has cemented itself as a forward-thinking academic experience. The launch of the new Esports major in 2024–25 was more than a curriculum expansion—it was a signal that Syracuse is serious about building a pipeline between higher education and one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.

In Fall 2025, Syracuse will welcome its largest Esports cohort yet, with nearly 40 matriculated students entering the new major. Built to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industry, the program offers a multidisciplinary approach to Esports that spans media, event management, business, and technology. One of the most exciting new offerings this year is the Esports Event Management course, giving students hands-on training in planning, logistics, fan engagement, and live production.

Over the course of the 2024-25 academic year, Esports students explored topics ranging from sustainable revenue models for collegiate Esports to strategic partnerships between traditional and digital sports brands. Presentation and pitch skills were a key part of the curriculum, setting students up for future success in boardrooms and on broadcast stages.

In Fall 2024, a group of six students traveled to Berlin for a collaboration with Riot Games during the League of Legends World Championship. The group gained behind-the-scenes access, shadowed professionals, and connected with Gen.G while on-site.

In January 2025, two students completed a three-week practicum in Seoul, South Korea, with Gen.G, capturing digital content and telling the story of the experience in real-time. A summer 2025 practicum at Gen.G headquarters in Seoul offered Syracuse students the chance to work directly with professionals in areas such as marketing, operations, and content creation—all while immersed in the global capital of Esports.

In January 2025, Syracuse University held a grand opening of its new state-of-the-art Esports and Gaming center in the Schine Center on campus. The facility is meant for gamers of all levels and interests. There are 24 high-end personal computers and assorted console gaming on systems like Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox, along with virtual and augmented reality offerings, two racing simulators, classic arcade games and tabletop gaming. The center also houses the University’s competitive esports varsity teams and feature an elevated stage with 10 computers where teams square off in competition. Each computer has a camera for live streaming, and there are two video boards running in front of and behind the stage, perfect for displaying match stats, graphics and video replays to the crowd of spectators seated in front of the stage.

Awards were also aplenty over the past year as the program earned Program of the Year at the EsportsU Awards, while Dr. Joey Gawrysiak, Executive Director of Esports, was named a finalist for both Educator of the Year and Director of the Year by the Scholastic Esports Awards. Syracuse was also a finalist for Program of the Year at the same awards—further validating the strength and vision behind the academic initiative.

Dr. Gawrysiak and colleagues shared their work across more than a dozen national and international conferences, including SEICon 2024, DreamHack Atlanta, NACE National Convention, InfoComm, NAECAD, and the Esports Research Network Conference.

Adding to its international credibility, Syracuse signed a landmark partnership with Gen.G, finalized during a signing ceremony at Gen.G’s headquarters in Seoul, South Korea.

Among the many standout student stories, Braeden Cheverie-Leonard ’26, a Sport Management major and President of the Esports Club, has been named a 2026 Falk College Marshal. Cheverie-Leonard has been a finalist for multiple Student Leader of the Year awards and is a pivotal figure in shaping student culture around Esports at Syracuse.

Also, Esports major Isabelle Kaplan ’28, who participated in the Berlin immersion trip, discovered a passion for media and became the lead social media manager for the program, documenting milestone moments like the grand opening of the new Schine Esports space. Grayson Pechter ’28 quickly emerged as the program’s go-to expert on virtual and augmented reality, contributing critical insights and elevating classroom discussions. Both students regularly meet with prospective students and families, serving as passionate ambassadors for the major and the campus Esports experience.

The Syracuse University Esports staff includes Nikita Bair, Esports Program Manager; Megan Danaher, Assistant Director of Esports; Sean Kelly, Director of Production and Outreach; and Travis Yang, Director of Esports Competition. Newhouse Professor Olivia Stomski has been appointed to lead the academic side of eSports for the next two years.

Photos with captions in this section included: Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud, along with students Braeden Cheverie-Leonard ’26, Gabriel Goodwin ’28 and Brianna Nechifor ’26, took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony for Syracuse University’s new state-of-the art Esports and Gaming center on campus. Syracuse University Esports students and staff received hands-on training and experience at the “Boost on the Beach” tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C., in March 2025. Students helped with tournament organization, broadcast production, casting and hosting.

Sport Analytics

Keeping Syracuse degree program on the map

Sport analytics is a fast-growing segment of the sport industry, where many young, aspiring sport professionals are choosing to make a career. They’re data-driven—and they’re catching the eye of sports teams all over the world. In fall 2016, Syracuse University’s sport analytics program welcomed its first official freshmen class as the first undergraduate degree of its kind in the nation. The intensive program with coursework in economics, mathematics and computer programming has attracted students from around the world.

Since its launch, sport analytics at Syracuse has celebrated many successes. The program has established student-industry collaborations with EDGE10, XFL, Spotted, UFL, and Syracuse University Athletics, among others. Students have secured professional job placements prior to graduation as well as internships with top sport industry organizations and major league teams. Students and faculty have published and presented research internationally and competed in prestigious industry and academic competitions, including SABR Diamond Dollars, MIT Sloan Sports Analytics, ACC Meeting of the Minds, Carnegie Mellon, and the Academy of Economics and Finance National Conference, among others. The program graduated four students in 2019, 13 in 2020, 24 in 2021, 37 in 2022, 49 in 2023, 43 in 2024 and 52 in 2025.

Here are some Sport Analytics program highlights from 2024-2025:

• Sport Analytics majors Benjamin Lanza Jennings, Jarrett Markman, Anna Meara Pierce and Jonah Aaron Soos were named Falk College Scholars. Sport Analytics majors Isabel Alfonso, Nathan Backman, Piper Evans, Madelyn Forster, Hunter Geise, Adelaide Gilley, Caitlin Kohlmeier, Hunter Kuchenbaur, Chris Marfisi, Jarrett Markman, Anna Pierce, Ryan Severe, Jonah Soos and Evan Vassilovski were named Berlin Scholars.

• Sport Analytics students Jessica Fackler, Maddy Forster, Adelaide Gilley, Anna Pierce and Danielle Napierski attended the 2024 Women in Sports Data conference hosted by the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Students heard from a panel of speakers on topics such as the biomechanics revolution, the success of women’s basketball and the role of data in advancing sport. There were also several breakout sessions for students to attend, discussing women in the field of sports data, and potential career paths. Fackler also participated in the event’s hackathon. Students connected with industry professionals from Major League Baseball as well as the NFL, WNBA and SABR.

• The Sport Analytics program at Syracuse University and the Kumamoto Volters professional basketball team in Japan entered into a historic partnership that will allow Syracuse sport analytics students to utilize data analysis to impact the team’s performance. As part of this agreement, the sport analytics students and faculty from Syracuse University will work in different capacities with students and faculty from Kumamoto University, which is located on the Japanese island of Kyushu. It’s the first partnership of this kind between an American college or university and a Japanese professional sports team. Kumamoto Basketball Co. President and Chief Executive Officer Satoshi Yunoue said partnering with Syracuse’s prestigious Sport Analytics program will improve the team’s performance as it seeks to move from the Japanese B.League’s B2 league to the B1 league. In serving as the Volters’ de facto analytics department, undergraduate and graduate students will remotely collect and analyze a variety of data, including player performance statistics, live game video, information from wearables that track performance data, and business and operations data.

• Sport Analytics student Brett Cerenzio traveled to Durham, N.C., in November 2024 for the SportsMEDIA Technology Data Challenge. Students were asked to evaluate player ability across multiple levels of the Minor League Baseball System. Cerenzio looked into determining the optimal route to take to the baseball given different parameters such as player distance to the ball when the play is to be made and the hang time of the batted ball. The presentations were judged by executives from SportsMEDIA Technology, the Durham Bulls and MongoDB as well as a professor from North Carolina State University.

• Students Hunter Geise and Collin Kneiss, along with Sport Analytics Associate Professor Dr. Justin Ehrlich, presented research at the 2025 Ohio State Sport Analytics Conference. Their presentation was titled “Partner Effects and Performance: Exploring Pairing Dynamics in Professional Golf.”

• The Sport Analytics Learning Community for first-year students had an engaging and dynamic year in 2024–25, forming strong connections with peers and faculty while exploring real-world applications of sports analytics. Highlights included an NFL watch party with faculty, a Tableau and data visualization workshop, a visit to Highmark Stadium to meet with the Buffalo Bills analytics staff—including SAL alumni—and a student-faculty basketball game to close out the year.

• Sport Analytics majors Jack Taliano and Marcus Mann had research accepted for presentation at the Academy of Economics and Finance (AEF) Conference in Pensacola, Florida. Taliano competed in the Undergraduate Research Paper Competition at the event, with research focusing on the impact of NFL games on regional emergency department patient volume. Mann’s research, titled “Data-Driven Insights on Tommy John surgery,” showed the growth of financial losses incurred by Tommy John surgery in terms of salary lost calculated based on percentage of missed games to the value of the contract within said amount of time.

• Sport Analytics students participated in the 2025 Cornell Sports Research Conference, which highlighted innovative interdisciplinary research, addressing areas such as analytics, architecture, artificial intelligence, biomechanics, collective bargaining, economics, interaction inference, law, psychology, sociology and turf science in sports and related fields.

• The United Football League and the Sport Analytics program at Syracuse University have entered an agreement that will allow Syracuse sport analytics students to complete statistical analysis and provide insights and visualizations to the UFL. The agreement marks the first time an American college or university has worked with the spring football league. The UFL is the premier spring football league formed from the merger of the XFL and USFL in 2024. As part of the agreement, the UFL will provide Syracuse students with experience in professional football and access to its employees, while Syracuse will provide the data analysis skills of students from the leading sport analytics program in the country. Under the agreement with the UFL, the Sport Analytics program is coordinating student participation. The UFL is assigning projects related to league operations and initiatives, and the parties are holding regular meetings to discuss projects, share findings through visualizations (charts, graphs, dashboards), and strategize on next steps.

• Here’s a sampling of where Syracuse University Sport Analytics students interned in Summer 2025: Make Vegas Pay, Buffalo Bills, Pro Football Focus (PFF), NFL, SponsorUnited, NYCBL, Roc Nation, EDGE10 Group, Wasserman, Tri-City ValleyCats, United States Tennis Association, D.C. United, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League, Orange County SC, Trackman, SIDEARM Sports, SBRnet, Raw Sports Management, St. Louis City SC, Eden Analytics, USA Track and Field, DKC Analytics, Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, Detroit Tigers, and more.

• As of May 2025, 45 students at Syracuse University are minoring in sport analytics.

• Falk College will welcome 60 sport analytics first-year students to campus in Fall 2025.

Photos with captions in this section includes: Sport Analytics students Jessica Fackler, Maddy Forster, Adelaide Gilley, Anna Pierce and Danielle Napierski attended the 2024 Women in Sports Data conference hosted by the Philadelphia Phillies. The Sport Analytics Learning Community visited Highmark Stadium to meet with the Buffalo Bills analytics staff. Sport Analytics majors Jack Taliano (left) and Marcus Mann had research accepted for presentation at the Academy of Economics and Finance (AEF) Conference in Pensacola, Florida. Falk College of Sport students Nolan Bruton, Toby Halpern, Zach Seidel, Austin Ambler and Danny Baris worked for the United Football League this season.

Sport Analytics Clubs abound for all interests

In the classroom, Falk College Sport Analytics students take a deep dive into analyzing data in sport, while incorporating studies in arts and sciences with professional electives and liberal arts requirements. Outside of the classroom, students are encouraged to join organizations that fit their interests, educational goals and career aspirations. All student organizations meet weekly during the academic year.

Baseball Sabermetrics and Statistics Club

Sabermetrics is the study of advanced baseball statistics. This club conducts in-depth discussions about everything related to baseball, with members taking part in a fantasy baseball league and guest speakers brought in on a variety of topics throughout the year. Guest speakers include Syracuse University Sport Analytics alumni, Major League Baseball executives, baseball publication writers and SABR researchers, among others. Club meetings consist of discussing Major League Baseball current events, participating in a mock offseason where members act as the General Manger of a Major League Baseball franchise, and fun activities such as baseball jeopardy and watch parties.

In Spring 2025, the club focused on applying practical skills through interactive challenges and learning from industry professionals. They kicked off the semester with a Mock Offseason simulation, where students acted as general managers for MLB teams. Participants then presented their offseason strategies and were evaluated on execution and creativity. Throughout the semester, members engaged in workshops and presentations led by professionals in the sport analytics field. Additionally, students presented independent research at the Ohio State Sport Analytics Conference, the Connecticut Sport Analytics Symposium, and the Cornell Sports Research Conference.

Also, in Spring 2025, for the 11th straight year, Club members participated in the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR) Analytics’ Spring Diamond Dollars Case Competition in Phoenix (AZ). Undergraduate teams were separated into competition rooms, where they presented to judges.

Over the 2024 Fall semester, students engaged with Syracuse alumni during workshops that highlighted skills learned at Syracuse. Students also had the chance to build their portfolios through Mini-Mock Case Competitions, exploring player analysis, player contracts, and team performance. Outside of the club, students attended a Syracuse Mets game to network and connect with peers across all levels.

Officers for 2024-25 were Jonah Soos, Jessica Fackler, Jacob Kalamvokis, Caitlin Kohlmeier, Zachary Silverstein, Danny Baris, James Young and Hayden Orenstein.

Basketball Analytics Club

The Syracuse University Basketball Analytics Club works throughout the academic year on research, case competitions and engaging with guest speakers. Club members strive to uncover statistical trends in basketball through research as well as maintaining a fun environment to discuss and debate all things basketball.

In Spring 2025, the club launched its first internal case competition, challenging members to use play-by-play data to evaluate lineup efficiency and recommend optimized rotations. The semester also featured guest speakers working with NBA organizations, giving students insight into the day-to-day use of analytics in basketball operations. Members explored new data sources and tools, broadening their exposure to current analytics platforms. The Spring concluded with the club’s first mock NBA offseason, a hands-on simulation where members acted as General Managers navigating the trade market, free agency, and the draft.

During Fall 2024, the club welcomed guest speaker Bobby Marks, ESPN Senior NBA Front Office Insider, for a discussion on the new collective bargaining agreement. The semester included a mock expansion draft and follow-up case studies, giving students the chance to apply their learning to real-world NBA scenarios.

The club sends select members to Phoenix, AZ, each fall to compete in Arizona State University’s Mock NBA Trade Deadline Competition, and to New Orleans in the spring for the Tulane Professional Basketball Negotiation Competition.

Club officers for 2024-25 were RJ Frahm, Garrett Naylor, Nick Rovelli, Hunter Geise, Ben Jennings, Jonah Soos and Nolan Pittman.

Football Analytics Club

The Football Analytics Club meets weekly discussing all things related to football, conducting research, competing in trivia contests, and welcoming guest speakers.

During the Spring 2025 semester, club members collaborated on an NFL Draft project. They created scouting reports for draft prospects and team-specific reports and worked together to build a consensus Big Board. During the Fall 2024 semester, club members learned visualization techniques using football data in the programming language R. The club welcomed guest teachers, including Sport Analytics Professor Brad Congelio, FantasyPros Data Scientist Sam Hoppen, Data Scientist Jacob Baldwin and the NFL’s Ollie Auerbach. Additionally, Football Analytics Club members participated in a mock case competition, where club members were tasked with researching the best combination of NFL wide receivers.

Club officers for 2024-25 were Austin Ambler, Zach Seidel, Nick Wolfe, and Jayke Pastis.

Hockey Analytics Club

The Hockey Analytics Club is a student-run organization that meets weekly during the academic year to discuss trends and events in the world of hockey. The Club also conducts analytical research and has worked with the Syracuse University women’s ice hockey team, the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, and the Tennity Adult League.

Guest speakers have included Buffalo Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams, as well as NHL agent Allan Walsh, Dante Giugliano (Hockey Trader at FanDuel) and Sam Ventura (Buffalo Sabres).

During the 2024-2025 academic year, the Club went to Montreal for the “4 Nations Face-Off” Tournament as well as attended regional games of the NCAA Hockey Tournament and went to Ottawa for a Senators playoff game. They also held a cookout and Frozen Frenzy watch party.

The Club conducts research, such as “NHL Roster Salary Composition’s Effect on Team Success.” Club members stage various activities such as a mock offseason, club fantasy hockey league, in-season predictions discussions, and an analytics-based scavenger hunt.

Club officers for 2024-25 were Caleb Rice, Ian MacMiller, Robert Yardley, Carter Pietrowski, Linc Zdancewicz and Tim Campbell.

Soccer Analytics Club

The Syracuse University Soccer Analytics Club, which was founded in 2018, conducts analysis and research on the various soccer leagues around the world. The club provides a platform for students with a passion for soccer to discuss the sport and work together, conducting research using a variety of statistical methods and analytical tools.

In the Spring of 2025, the club members delved deep into the professional world of soccer analytics by attending conferences, hearing from guest speakers, and completing case competitions using industry-standard event data. The club hosted a Professor of Economics from the University of Reading, who provided insight on what it’s like to work as a data analyst in English soccer. Club members also analyzed the Major League Soccer Cup Final using some of the same data that MLS clubs use. This allowed the students to gain a greater appreciation for what life as a soccer data analyst looks like. Ultimately, through these experiences and more, members of the soccer analytics club are more prepared for the professional soccer world after Syracuse.

Club officers for 2024-25 were Sebastian Bush, Max Theriault, Braden Hines, Theo Schmidt, Carter Pointon and Cesar Barrera.

Sport Analytics Women (SAW) Club

Formed in Fall 2020, Falk College’s Sport Analytics Women (SAW) Club strives to create a group of like-minded women to build relationships, assemble a support system and study sport analytics during their time at Syracuse University and into their post-graduate careers. The club’s mission is to collaborate and serve as a positive advocate for women in sport analytics by connecting with each other as well as with professionals in the industry. The goal of creating relevant opportunities for club members is achieved through tutorials on programs such as R, SQL, Python and Tableau, group research projects, professional development and hosting guest speakers.

In Spring 2025, the Club hosted guest speakers, planned networking trips and workshops, and went on outings to local sporting events, such as Syracuse Women’s Hockey, the Syracuse Crunch, and the Syracuse Mets.

In Fall 2024, SAW began a research project looking at the impact of Playoff Probability on attendance, collecting data and learning basic R coding skills. Also, a few of the Club members attended Koding with KAGR, an analytics conference in Foxborough, Mass., and the Women in Sports Data Symposium in Philadelphia, PA.

The Club also continued its partnership with Sports Info Solutions, as members are paired based on their interests with individuals in the company, creating a mentor/mentee relationship.

Club officers for 2024-25 were Isabel Alfonso, Anna Pierce, Madelyn Forster, Danielle Napierski and Claire Patin.

Sportsbook Analytics Club

The Falk College Sportsbook Analytics Club was founded in 2019 in response to one of the fastest growing industries in the nation. The club and its members continue to explore, learn, and discuss the ever-changing landscape of sport prediction markets, such as legalized sports betting and daily fantasy sports. The club has annually expanded both in membership and in programming. In addition to discussion about the industry’s news and latest trends, the club has introduced workshops and competitions. They also host guest speakers from around the sport industry throughout the academic year.

In Spring 2025, the Club hosted the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Make Vegas Pay, Simon Weiss, who is also a Syracuse University graduate. Several Syracuse University students worked as interns for Make Vegas Pay in Spring 2025.

Club officers for 2024-2025 were Charlie Maddux, Luke Hildebrand, Dylan Stafeil, Robbie Giegerich and Jacob Kalamvokis.

Tennis Analytics Club

The Tennis Analytics Club was formed in Fall 2022 to bring together students who share a common interest in the sport.

During the 2024-25 academic year, Club members took part in tutorials utilizing R and Python, as well as explaining different mathematical/modeling concepts like First-Step Analysis, K-means Clustering, Random Forests, and eXtreme Gradient Boosting. They discussed various statistical and machine learning concepts like the probability of independent events, the Bayes rule, decision trees, gradient boosting and clustering, and applied them to tennis. Club members used RStudio for technical skills in data manipulation, aggregation, visualization, and analysis in a variety of ways, using data from various online sources like the ATP and WTA websites, GitHub, and others.

The Club’s Shiny App lets users see player statistic output in wins and losses to measure what kind of factors may indicate more success. Club members meet weekly to discuss relevant tournaments as well as news in the tennis sector of professional sports. They also researched websites such as FanDuel and DraftKings.

Officers for 2024-25 were Jarrett Markman, Jordan Hemley, Chris Marfisi and Jameson Bodenburg.

Sport Analytics students win multiple national competitions

I think the Rolls-Royce of Falk College, undoubtedly, is the analytics program,” Falk College benefactor David Falk said to a room of senior Sport Analytics students and their families during the 2025 Commencement Weekend. “We’ve won virtually every sport analytics competition for the last few years.”

That was certainly true during the Spring 2025 semester, when Falk College students from the Sport Analytics program were victorious at multiple analytics and research competitions and presented findings at several highly regarded conferences around the country.

Below is a recap of the semester’s highlights:

SABR Analytics Conference

Sport Analytics students Owen St. Onge, Payton Smith, Andrew Diamond, Jonah Soos, and Jacob Kalamvokis won their room in the Diamond Dollars Case Competition, during which teams compete by preparing an analysis and presentation of a baseball operations decision similar to what a team’s general manager and staff would do in Major League Baseball.

Two students, Nathan Backman and Brett Cerenzio, took part in the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) Analytics Conference research competition, with Backman winning best student presentation for his research entitled “Baseball Cinematography: Using Open Source CV Algorithms to Track and Quantify Pitcher Mechanics.”

Syracuse University Football Blitz

Sport Analy tics students won every room of the Syracuse University Football Blitz competition, including one room of entirely first-year students. Sport Analytics students were also named winners of the overall competition.

The Football Analytics Blitz tasks students with a current football analytics prompt. They are given a week to put together a presentation for football analytics professionals. The competition brought together students from 25 universities and judges from eight NFL teams.

The winning Syracuse University students were:

Room 1: Charlie Maddux, Jonah Soos, Nathan Backman, Austin Ambler, and Zach Seidel.

Room 2: Nick Wolfe, Jameson Bodenburg, Jacob Kalamvokis, and Jessica Fackler.

Room 3: Noah Bair, Jimmy Roberto, Carter Pointon, Alex Percey, and Braden Hines.

Connecticut Sports Analytics Symposium

Sport Analytics students Danielle Napierski, Dan Griffiths and Brett Cerenzio were named runners-up in the Major League Baseball Data Challenge at the Connecticut Sports Analytics Symposium (CSAS). Sport Management major Alivia Uribe and professor Shane Sanders also presented their research at the conference.

American Soccer Insights Summit

Sport Analytics students Sebastian Bush and Theo Schmidt presented their work, “Dual Dependency: Analyzing the Winger and Wingback Relationship,” at the American Soccer Insights Summit. Sport Analytics students Christopher Marfisi, Evan Vassilovski, Walker Oettl and Ryan Severe were named finalists for their work on the given prompt and traveled to Washington, D.C., to present their findings.

National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championships

Falk College student Jonah Soos won the undergraduate division individual championship, while the undergraduate team of Soos, Hunter Geise, Piper Evans, and Maddy Forster finished second in the team competition. Two Syracuse University graduate students, Andrew Odnoralov and Owen Brown, also competed–a first for representatives from Falk’s graduate programs.

At this event, students gave five-minute presentations based on analysis of provided data related to brands, teams, and athletes. Judges chose a winner based on statistical analysis, data visualization, actionable insights, communication, and integrity.

Cincinnati Reds Hackathon

Teams were tasked with modeling a projection system that predicted total plate appearances and batters faced for Major League Baseball players in the 2024 season based on their past data. Sport Analytics students Dan Griffiths, Ben Resnic, Hunter Cordes, Jared Weber, and Josh Davis won the Hackathon, with two other Falk teams being named finalists.

Photos with captions in this section include: Falk College benefactor David Falk with Sport Analytics students and their families during the 2025 Commencement Weekend. Falk College undergraduate students Owen St. Onge, Payton Smith, Andrew Diamond, Jonah Soos, and Jacob Kalamvokis won their room in the 2025 SABR Diamond Dollars Case Competition. Nathan Backman won best student presentation at the 2025 SABR Analytics Conference. Sport Analytics students Dan Griffiths, Danielle Napierski, Brett Cerenzio, and Alivia Uribe participated in the Connecticut Sports Analytics Symposium. Sport Analytics senior Jonah Soos won the undergraduate division individual championship at the National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championships. The Syracuse University contingent at the AXS National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championship in Nashville included Sport Analytics Program Director Rodney Paul with students Hunter Geise, Owen Brown, Piper Evans, Madelyn Forster, Andrew Odnoralov and Jonah Soos.

Falk College Sport Analytics trip to Italy

Building on the noted success of last year’s Falk College Sport Analytics trip to Italy and its related course, Sport Analytics professor Rodney Paul, program manager Francesco Riverso and program coordinator Jackie Dorchester decided to offer the trip again over Spring Break 2025.

The “Italian Football: Impact and Outcomes” course is now cross listed with Sport Management and available to majors and minors in the Sport Management and Sport Analytics programs. The broadened scope took a deeper dive into the cultural and historical implications of Football (Soccer) on the country and how Serie A is growing worldwide. This wider lens allowed the incorporation of more Sport Management areas such as marketing, fan engagement and sponsorships. While analytics and its usage were still a component, more students could participate, enriching classroom discussions and viewpoints.

A notable addition was guest speaker Andy Mitchell, managing director of Lega Serie A USA (the American division of Italy’s preeminent soccer league). Mitchell recounted his career path and journey to working in the highest soccer and sports marketing levels. His talk focused on all areas of efforts for the North American branch, from newsletters to corporate partnerships to social media and community-driven campaigns, all with the single goal of raising awareness of Serie A to an American audience.

This year’s main project focused on Bologna FC 1909. Based on the students’ areas of interest, they were divided into teams with Sport Management centered on digital marketing, social media and fan engagement, and Sport Analytics focused on roster composition and player assessment. Each area had two teams, and the best teams were asked to present to Bologna’s front office, including chairman Joey Saputo. It is a rare and special opportunity for students to showcase their research and skills while obtaining real-world experience and feedback.

Senior Advertising major and Sport Management minor John William Fiore said, “One of my favorite parts of the trip was meeting with Bologna FC 1909, including members of their front office, data innovators, designers, and business leaders, and then finishing off our visit with a stadium tour. I now have another international team to root for.” (Bolonga won the Coppa Italia Cup in May 2025 against AC Milan after a 51-year drought.)

Through the various connections Riverso and Dorchester have formed via constructing the course and trip, students spent their first day in Italy at Lake Como, watching Como 1907 take on Venezia. The picturesque city did not disappoint in its views, with the stadium on the water. Returning to Milan that evening, most of the group ventured to the Inter-Milan-Monza game at the historical San Siro stadium. And as if two games were not enough, there was also the opportunity to see S.S. Lazio take on Viktoria Plzen for the UEFA Europa League at Stadio Olimpico in Roma.

While experiencing the action of a game was a goal, students also made valuable industry connections, including touring Viola Park, home of ACF Fiorentina, and meeting with representatives from Soccerment, an Italy-based artificial intelligence platform seeking to accelerate the adoption of data analytics into soccer.

Freshman Sport Analytics major Braden Hines valued that meeting specifically. “Here in the US, we see many awesome things that analysts are doing in American sports like baseball and football, but soccer doesn’t get as much attention so as a fan of the sport it was a great opportunity to see how people could take varying statistics and use them to build models to analyze players.”

Photos with captions in this section include: Syracuse University Sport Analytics students visited Bologna FC’s stadium to meet with executives as well as showcase their research and skills while obtaining real-world experience and feedback. As part of their trip to Italy, students enjoyed visits to cultural landmarks such as the Duomo in Milan.

Advisory Boards

Falk College of Sport Advisory Board

The reimagination of Falk College of Sport has ignited transformation across all areas of the College, including our volunteer boards and councils. Formerly, these groups focused on aligning themselves to the Department of Sport Management. Now, these groups have evolved and steadfastly broadened the scope of their efforts to include all of Falk College’s programs, including esports communications and management, exercise science, nutrition, sport analytics, and sport management.

The Falk College of Sport Advisory Board (formerly the Sport Management Advisory Council) is comprised of a “Who’s Who in Sports.” This esteemed group of sport industry professionals and practitioners provides an inner circle of advisors and supporters for the College. The council provides input and guidance for short- and long-term goals, student internships, employment opportunities, curriculum development and classroom instruction. It champions the program to prospective supporters, students, business colleagues, and the community.

Emerging Leaders Council

The Syracuse University Emerging Leaders Council (ELC) exists as a core group of the College’s most committed and influential young alumni that are focused on providing guidance in various ways to current Falk College of Sport students. This guidance includes staying in tune with the trends of the sport industry; assisting with Capstone, practicum, and internship placements; and being strong advocates for the academic program in their community.

The mission of the Emerging Leaders Council is to advise students, in conjunction with faculty and staff, the Assistant Dean for Advancement, and the Dean of Falk College in endeavors to further the strategic objectives of the college. The council is to assist with preparation of the next generation of Falk College alumni, to equip them with the tools necessary to be successful professionals.

Learn more about the members of the Advisory Board and Emerging Leaders Council.

Photos with captions in this section included: Falk College benefactor David Falk serves as Chair Emeritus of the Falk College of Sport Advisory Board. Syracuse University alum Brandon Steiner, who is the Founder of the Steiner Agency and Collectible Xchange, is Chair of the Falk College of Sport Advisory Board.

Faculty and Staff

The 2024-25 academic year was productive and busy for the Department of Sport Management’s faculty and staff. Faculty members presented their research on campus domestically and internationally both in person and virtually. Our faculty and staff continue to bring new and important perspectives impacting today’s most critical issues in sport. Listed below is a small sampling of select accomplishments.

Dr. Lindsey Darvin, Assistant Professor

Dr. Darvin joined the department in 2022 to teach classes in research methods and race, gender and diversity in sport. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Darvin was an assistant professor from 2018-2022 at the State University of NewYork College at Cortland, where she taught sport ethics, athlete development, and administration of sport. She was also an adjunct professor at Syracuse University for four years prior to joining the faculty full time.

Sue Edson, Professor of Practice

Edson finished her first year on the faculty in 2024-25after spending 34 years in college athletics, most recently as Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director and Chief Communications Officer for Syracuse University Domain Details Page addition to her extensive career accomplishments, Edson has also served as an adjunct professor in Newhouse for more than 15 years.

Dr. Justin Ehrlich, Associate Professor

Dr. Ehrlich completed his sixth year at Syracuse University, where he teaches sport analytics courses and mentors students on research projects. His research focuses on data visualization, performance analytics, and biomechanics, and has been published in Computational Economics, Journal of Sport Management, Public Choice, and the International Journal of Sport Finance. In 2025, he coauthored a paper that won the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Research Paper Competition and presented original research at Math Sport International in Luxembourg.

Dr. Joey Gawrysiak, Professor of Practice/Executive Director of Esports

Gawrysiak joined Falk College and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in Fall 2023 as the executive director of esports and as a professor of practice. He oversees esports operations and programming across campus with a focus on budgeting, recruitment, and strategy related to all aspects of esports at Syracuse. Prior to joining SyracuseUniversity, Gawrysiak was a professor and director of esports at Shenandoah University from 2011-2023, and served as a teaching assistant at the University of Georgia from 2010-2012 teaching sport management courses.

Dr. Mary Graham, Professor

Dr. Graham is entering her fourth year as Syracuse University’s Faculty Athletics Representative to the NCAA and the ACC. She serves on the editorial board of the scholarly journal Human Resource Management, and is on the executive board of the Research Methods Division of the Academy of Management. Dr. Graham developed the course on Race, Gender, and Diversity in Sport Organizations, and conducts research on a variety of management topics.

Dr. Jeeyoon (Jamie) Kim, Associate Professor

Dr. Kim completed her ninth year in the department. Her manuscripts were published in journals including Sport Marketing Quarterly, International Journal of Sport Marketing and Sponsorship, and Managing Sport and Leisure. In Summer2024, she attended the Paris Olympics and presented her research at the International Sport Business Symposium in Paris. She led the biennial Olympic Odyssey trip to Europe in Summer 2025.

Dr. Alexia Lopes, Assistant Teaching Professor

Dr. Lopes joined the faculty in August 2024 after spending the previous two years as an Assistant Professor at Saint Norbert (WI) College, where she taught a variety of sport and management related classes. She completed her Ph.D. in Sport Management from the University of South Carolina with additional graduate certificates in Applied Statistics and Women and Gender Studies. Her research analyzes the experiences of under represented groups in sport, with a focus on women on the management side of motorsports.

Dr. Jeremy Losak, Associate Professor

Dr. Losak, who was promoted to Associate Professor in 2025, completed his sixth year at Syracuse University, teaching Sport Analytics classes and advising the Sport Management Club in addition to other Sport Analytics student organizations. He presented research internationally in the Netherlands, and domestically in New York City, Rochester, Washington D.C., Las Vegas, and San Francisco. His research covers sport betting markets, college athletics, and the business of baseball.

Dr. Jason Maddox, Assistant Professor

Dr. Maddox joined the Sport Analytics faculty in 2022. He teaches sport data analysis and R for Sport Analytics. Prior to joining Syracuse, Maddox spent the previous nine years at Baylor, earning both his B.S. and M.S. in Statistics, and his Ph.D. Maddox served as a manager/graduate assistant with the Baylor Men’s Basketball team from 2015-2021.

Kevin McNeill, Assistant Teaching Professor

McNeill, who has over 20 years of experience working in intercollegiate athletics in the areas of marketing and communications, teaches courses in sport technology and sport marketing. Before joining the department in 2019, he spent 12 years at Le Moyne College as associate athletics director for marketing.