University of New Haven Graduate Students Demonstrate Excellence at National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championship

Students from the University of New Haven’s M.S. Sport Management program recently competed in the National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championship (NCSAC), one of the premier competitions focused on data-driven decision-making in sport. The event challenged students to analyze complex datasets and present strategic recommendations to industry professionals, simulating the fast-paced, analytical demands of today’s sport business environment.

This type of applied, high-impact experience reflects the broader strength of the University’s graduate program in sport management. The program continues to be recognized globally by SportBusiness for producing graduates who are not only technically proficient but who are also capable of translating analytics into actionable business strategy. A distinguishing characteristic of the program is its integration of analytics, strategy, and communication skills, as evidenced by the program’s high rankings in career advancement and return on investment.

Dr. Ceyda Mumcu, Chair of the Department of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management and Program Coordinator, emphasized that participation in NCSAC underscores the program's intentional development of both the technical and professional dimensions of student growth.

“I view this experience as an extension of our commitment to preparing students for an increasingly data-driven sport industry,” she said. “Through opportunities such as this, students are challenged to work with real datasets, make strategic decisions under time constraints, and present to industry professionals, while being supported by faculty mentorship and a collaborative learning environment. These layered experiences are central to how we prepare graduates to contribute meaningfully from day one in their careers.”

As the lead faculty member preparing our students for this competition, I couldn’t be more proud of what they accomplished. Our team placed 4th overall at the National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championship (NCSAC), and, individually, two of our four graduate students finished in the top 10, one in the top 15, and all four ranked within the top 30.

I have had the privilege of leading weekly training sessions for the participants. Across 13 sessions, we worked through core statistical concepts, analytic approaches, and applied methods, while also practicing with competition-style datasets. Over time, I really saw the students grow, not just in their technical skills, but in how they think, communicate, and handle problems under pressure. I truly believe this competition experience has prepared them to step into the workplace with more confidence and a stronger skill set.

In the weeks leading up to the competition, what stood out even more was their mindset. They were constantly asking how they could improve and better prepare. I could tell they truly cared about the competition and wanted to win for the University of New Haven.

Caio and Juan were asking for additional datasets to practice and extra readings to go over. Agustina was asking about R shortcuts and commands to review. Yash was balancing job interviews while preparing for the competition. They were clearly sacrificing their free time to study and prepare.

We even held additional sessions the week before the competition, and their focus, commitment, and eagerness to keep improving never dropped. If anything, it pushed me to show up even more prepared and do everything I could to support them.

Competing against strong programs such as Duke, UT Austin, Iowa, and Oklahoma State, our students held their own and delivered when it mattered most. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch their growth, and I am very proud of all four Chargers for the effort, resilience, and professionalism they showed on a national stage.

I want to congratulate Caio, Juan, Agustina, and Yash. It was incredibly rewarding to showcase the strength of our program and just how competitive we can be, especially given that this was their first time competing at such a high level. I’d also like to thank Ceyda for trusting me with this responsibility and for her continued support along the way.

Competing in the National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championship in Nashville was both a challenging and rewarding experience. Being in the arena alongside students from more than 50 universities immediately created a highly competitive environment. It was clear that everyone in the room shared the same goal: turning complex data into meaningful insights, while under pressure.

One of the biggest challenges during the competition was deciding where to begin. The dataset contained a large amount of information. With limited time, we had to quickly determine which patterns were truly meaningful and how to translate them into clear insights. At the same time, we needed to think strategically about how to communicate those findings effectively during our presentation to the judges.

What made the experience especially valuable was seeing how analytics work in a real decision-making context. The competition reinforced that working with data is not only about running models or calculations, but about asking the right questions and presenting insights in a way that supports strategic decisions.

Overall, participating in NCSAC allowed us to apply the analytical tools we develop in the classroom to a real-world sports-business challenge. Experiences such as this highlight the value of experiential learning and help prepare us for future careers in the sports industry.

"Experiences such as this remind me of the importance of stepping outside the classroom and saying yes to opportunities that truly foster growth." Juan Manuel Salgado ’27 M.S.

Participating in the National Collegiate Sports Analytics Competition (NCSAC) was a great opportunity to apply the analytics tools and sport-industry knowledge we have been learning in our Sport Management and Analytics classes to a real sports-business challenge. The competition asked us to analyze Minor League Baseball fan data and identify which market segments could help drive future digital growth, particularly in streaming viewership, revenue maximization, and social media engagement.

During the competition, we worked with a large dataset and explored different ways to translate the data into meaningful insights. One of the biggest challenges was deciding which segments were the most important and how to turn those findings into clear and practical recommendations. The experience highlighted how important it is not only to analyze data, but also to be able to communicate insights in a way that is simple and strategic for decision-makers.

In the end, the competition was also a rewarding experience from a results standpoint. I finished seventh place individually, and our team placed fourth overall. Besides that, the experience helped me strengthen my analytical thinking and further confirmed my interest in working at the intersection of sports analytics and business strategy.

I am very grateful to Dr. Mumcu for giving us the opportunity to participate in the competition. Representing the University of New Haven in a national competition such as this was truly an honor and an experience I will always value.

Participating in the National Sports Analytics Competition was one of the most meaningful experiences of my graduate journey. Competing against top programs across the country challenged me to think critically, work under pressure, and translate data into clear, actionable insights.

In a limited timeframe, our team analyzed a real-world problem and developed a data-driven solution, reinforcing how important it is to combine analytics with strong communication. The experience felt very close to the realities of the sports industry, where decisions must be both strategic and efficient. At the end, I was able to secure a top 10 finish, which I am really proud of.

I am especially grateful to Dr. Mumcu and Dr. Huang for their guidance and preparation leading up to the competition. Their support helped us refine our analytical approach and gave us the confidence to present our ideas effectively.

Beyond the competition, connecting with peers and professionals further strengthened my passion for sports analytics and operations. Experiences such as this remind me of the importance of stepping outside the classroom and saying yes to opportunities that truly foster growth and shape your development.

This competition has been a meaningful step in my journey, reinforcing my passion for working in the sports industry alongside driven and like-minded professionals.

One of the most valuable aspects of my graduate experience in sport management has been the opportunity to apply what I’ve learned in settings that closely reflect the realities of the sports industry. Competing in a national sports analytics competition provided exactly that experience.

During the competition, I worked on a sports business case focused on Minor League Baseball. Beyond analyzing the data, I focused on identifying practical strategies that could enhance fan engagement and improve overall business performance.

What made the experience especially impactful was the time pressure. With only a few minutes to present my findings to a panel of industry professionals, I had to prioritize key insights and communicate them clearly and confidently.

I was proud to place among the Top 15 in the graduate division, and it was equally rewarding to see the University of New Haven finish 4th overall as a team. More importantly, this experience reinforced my belief that meaningful growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone and embrace opportunities that challenge you.

The National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championship provides students with an opportunity to translate classroom knowledge into a real-world sport-business setting. Working with complex datasets, developing strategic insights, and presenting to industry professionals requires a combination of analytical rigor and communication effectiveness.

These types of experiences reinforce the University of New Haven’s commitment to bridging theory and practice, ensuring that graduates are prepared not only to analyze data, but to lead with it in professional sport environments.