Sports Analysis 2014-15

Instructors: Mr. Seth Roy, Mr. Chad King Email: [email protected], [email protected]

“Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are pliable.” -- Mark Twain

Course Description: In Sports Analysis, students will learn about advanced metrics used every day by professional sports teams and sportswriters, and will have the chance to work with Newark High School coaches to develop and analyze Wildcat team statistics. Students will go beyond the box score to evaluate and discuss athletes, teams and their performances. Students will compare performances historically and use statistical observations to predict future performance. It is a hybrid in-class and online course that will use edmodo and other electronic means for communication and turning in assignments.

Communication: Please contact me through email at [email protected] — understanding that communications are public record, please keep communication related to the class.

Class Expectations: 1: Students will work with their electronic devices, and will primarily work with edmodo, Google Drive and Excel 2: Students will study in major professional and collegiate sports 3: Students will learn how to calculate a variety of metrics, from batting average to Runs Created and more 4: Students will complete online assignments including quizzes, tests and responses 5: Students will be prepared to discuss current trends in sports 6: Students will have fun

Class Materials: Computer (or other electronic device) for research, interaction and completing assignments; edmodo account for classroom discussion and collaboration; have a notebook and pen/pencil available at all times

Resources: These are not meant as a comprehensive guide to online sports resources, but only as an introduction and a place to start. A Guide to Sabermetric Research Various articles and book excerpts from ESPN, MIT Sloan Sports Conference and more NBA.com Advanced stats TrueHoop Newark Advocate Sports

Assignments: The year will be broken down into various units geared around sports, each consisting of occasional quizzes online or in class, the creation of Excel spreadsheets, online responses through edmodo and presentations.

Unit examples include: and baseball statistics: We will spend the first six weeks, or so, looking into sabermetrics and advanced baseball statistics. In March, students will give a presentation comparing current players to past players and predicting future production.

NBA Advanced Statistics: The advanced statistic movement in the NBA is a lot newer, but it is gaining momentum. Cameras now track player movement in every NBA arena, and the data is available to fans, free, through NBA.com. The unit will include a Fantasy Basketball season.

Independent Study: We will look into advanced statistics in other areas, as well as look at how Newark High School programs track and use statistics to develop strategy. Students will identify a topic related to a trackable statistic in sports, and will do a presentation at the end of the year.

Grading Policy: Category Brief Description Percentage Participation Includes classroom discussion, online responses, 30% homework assignments and reading. Assessments Quizzes: There will be quizzes throughout the semester. 20% These will generally be online through edmodo, though there will be some in-class quizzes and/or tests. Projects Projects and presentations: Baseball comparisons; NBA 50% Fantasy League; Independent Study; etc. (Goal of 2 per quarter)

Grades: A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; and F = 59 or below

Late Work: As this is a hybrid online and in-class-time class, late work can be accepted occasionally. Talk with me about the work. Quizzes will be given at specific times online and will not be able to be made up.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is portraying another person’s work as your own. This includes copying homework, copying from websites without acknowledgement and more. Assignments that are plagiarized will be counted as 0’s.