Sports Analytics

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

This course provides students with an understanding and overview of sports analytics and an opportunity to participate in an analytics practicum with an NFL analytics executive to learn how to integrate statistics, predictive and prescriptive analytics, history, sports operations, communications, and marketing through real-world assignments, including development of new analytics and professional draft selections. Predictive analysis is defined as the practice of extracting information from existing data sets to determine patterns and predict future outcomes and trends. Applied to sports, this methodology is used to structure and identify key elements into prescriptive analytics that contribute to optimal outcomes. Critical outcomes include learning how to identify, analyze, and develop metrics that are useful, understandable, and actionable, developing an appreciation and ability to use technology to sift meaningful information from often unstructured data, and considering ways that artificial intelligence, other emerging technology, and storytelling can better support organizational decision-making.