SPM Newsletter 2018
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View an accessible text-based version Sport Management Newsletter | Summer 2018 Sport Analytics program receives $1 million gift Commitment to developing a new generation of professionals inspires donation from Syracuse University alumnus Andrew T. Berlin When Syracuse University’s Falk College launched a new degree in sport analytics in 2016, it was responding to the sport industry’s need for trained professionals able to process and analyze ever-increasing amounts of infor- mation to guide data-driven decision making. A $1 million gift by Syracuse University Trustee and alumnus, Andrew T. Berlin ’83, partner owner of the world champion Chicago Cubs and its minor league affiliate, the South Bend Cubs, will make a number of student- focused initiatives in this fast-growing pro- gram possible. “Syracuse University has played a very significant role by providing the foundation for my business success, and this gift is my way of making a commitment to help ensure that students will have the resources to make sport analytics the best program in the country,” Berlin said. “I believe this cutting-edge pro- gram—the first of its kind in the country—will shape the direction of the sports industry for years to come.” The Berlin gift will provide scholarship and Berlin and his family are shown at a Chicago Cubs spring training game. financial assistance to select undergraduate sport analytics students as well as support for symposiums, and student-focused sports to make sound business decisions,” said Falk faculty research, participation in academic analytical competitions. Berlin Scholars will College Dean Diane Lyden Murphy. “We are be selected based on academic proficiency, grateful for the Berlin family’s generous sup- research skills, and experiential engagement. port that will further escalate Syracuse Uni- Look inside for … Outstanding upper-level students interning versity’s reputation as a nationally recognized Congratulations to the Class of 2018 with professional teams or sport analytics leader in sport management education.” companies will be eligible for participation as Plans for a lecture series and creation of an Director’s Honor Roll Berlin Senior Research Associates to mentor on-campus program for high school students Senior Capstone profiles younger classmates and conduct seminars interested in sport analytics are also under SPM Club Charity Sports Auction on analytics techniques. Associates will also development. The annual symposium featuring support sport analytics faculty research that leading innovators in sport analytics will be Women in Sports and Events’ news may include co-authoring journal articles and hosted across the country, with the inaugural Award-winning Sabermetrics Club presenting research findings at domestic and event taking place in Chicago to feature a Experiential Learning international sport analytic and economic panel of local industry executives and Syra- academic symposiums. cuse University sport analytics professors. Graduate students’ golf classic “As the proliferation of sophisticated Over time, the symposium will incorporate Advisory Board bios analytics in the sport industry continues to graduates of the sport analytics program, Alumni employment list transform data-driven decision making, our including Berlin Scholars and Berlin Senior graduates will provide strong technical and Research Associates. Alumni profiles analytical skills sport organizations are seeking continued on page 2 SPMNews 1 Summer 2018 continued from page 1 “The gift from Mr. Berlin will further said, “The Syracuse University Sport Analytics expand the exciting opportunities available program will offer interdisciplinary skills that for the incredible students in our program,” will prepare students to become the next gen- said Dr. Rodney Paul, professor of sport eration of analytical thinkers, both from a busi- management and sport analytics program ness and player development perspective.” director. “Mr. Berlin serves as a role model for Berlin is chairman and CEO of Berlin our students, not just from his successes and Packaging, the leading global supplier of glass, leadership in the business and sports world, plastic, and metal containers and closures. He but also in terms of his generosity and care he graduated with a political science degree exhibits as it relates to young people and the from the College of Arts and Sciences and future.” the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public The future Berlin Sport Analytics Acad- Affairs. He earned a law degree at Loyola emy at Syracuse University will include guest University of Chicago, attended the Executive speakers, projects, lectures and activities for Berlin is the chairman and CEO of Berlin Program at the Graduate School of Business high school students. Participants will benefit Packaging, the leading global supplier of glass, at Stanford University, and studied military from gaining first-hand knowledge presented plastic, and metal containers and closures. history at Boston University. A member of by sport analytics faculty and students while on the player evaluation side, business side, the Maxwell School Advisory Board and enhancing their analytical problem-solving and or both. the Chicago Regional Council, he has sup- presentational skills. “Mr. Berlin’s gift is a huge jumpstart to ported the Institute for National Security and “The generosity of the Berlin family gift Syracuse University’s sport analytics program,” Counterterrorism—a joint endeavor of the allows us to follow our blueprint of recruiting said Charles Garrett ’19, a dual major in sport Maxwell School and the College of Law— Ivy League-caliber students from across the analytics and broadcast and digital journalism. by creating the Andrew Berlin Family National globe,” said Michael Veley, the Rhonda S. Falk “It will provide tremendous opportunities for Security Research Fund in honor of Profes- Endowed Professor and chair and director students to attend conferences and present sor Emeritus David Bennett. of the Department of Sport Management. research, keep facilities state of the art, and “This gift is a giant step forward for the “Providing opportunities for our students to adapt with a rapidly growing field to assure we program,” said Justin Perline ’19, a dual major showcase their analytical and academic skills are readily prepared for the industry.” in sport analytics and newspaper and online will allow us to build our brand while providing The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports journalism. “Having the resources to send students with unlimited opportunities outside that the job market for various data analyst students across the country and the world of the classroom.” disciplines is growing at 27 percent annually, in pursuit of their passions is incredible. And Falk College’s bachelor of science in sport far exceeding the national job growth average most important, we now have the opportunity analytics provides students with a deep under- of 11 percent. The sport industry is the fifth to bring Syracuse University’s sport analytics standing of math, statistics, research meth- largest economic sector in the U.S. economy, program into the national and international odology, sport economics, database manage- generating slightly less than $500 billion in spotlight.” ment, finance, and computer programming. 2014-15. Falk College’s offering in sport analytics is Upon graduation, students will be prepared “Analytics are integral toward changing the newest addition in its academic portfolio to think conceptually and analytically while on-field baseball strategy and scouting talent,” of programs in the Department of Sport applying these principles to real issues in sport said Jason McLeod, senior vice president Management that includes sport management organizations. The degree incorporates a of player development and scouting for the (BS), sport venue and event management mandatory foreign language requirement to Chicago Cubs. McLeod, who is a three-time (MS) and intercollegiate athletic advising and prepare students for the global sport industry World Champion in that role with the 2016 support (CAS). in a variety of possible analytics career paths Cubs and 2004 and 2007 Boston Red Sox, Andrew T. Berlin talks with US troops at Four Winds Field at Coveleski Baseball Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Berlin, shown at a South Bend Cubs press conference, The facility is home to the South Bend Cubs, a minor league baseball team which plays in the Class-A Midwest graduated with a political science degree from SU and League. Berlin is a partner owner of the Cubs. earned a law degree at Loyola University of Chicago. SPMNews 2 Summer 2018 DIRECTOR’S GREETING Auction raised $56,800 for Meals on Wheels of Syracuse and our Sport Venue and Event Management graduate students’ charity golf tournament, dinner and auction raised $20,000 for Vera House, which provides services for domestic and sexual abuse victims in Central New York. What other Sport Management program in the country can make such claims? My sincerest congratulations to the many student leaders that volunteered their time and talents to support these wonderful causes. Later this year we will create a Sport Management Alumni Advisory Council, and details will be forthcoming. I invite you to become engaged by visiting campus, attending our alumni functions, guest lecturing in a class, supervising a Capstone or internship, hiring our graduates or assisting however you can— As I reflect on the past year and gaze into challenges