Birmingham, Alabama – September 2, 2025 - Samford University's Brock School of Business has achieved a groundbreaking milestone, becoming the first university in the United States to receive endorsement from the Association of Sports Performance Analysts (ASPA) for its Sports Analytics - Team and Player Performance Track program.
The international recognition from ASPA, the professional body for sports performance analysts and data scientists worldwide, validates Samford's innovative approach to sports analytics education and establishes the university as a global leader in the field.
"This endorsement represents a significant achievement not just for Samford, but for sports analytics education in America," said Dr. Darin White, Executive Director of Samford's Sports Industry Program and Center for Sports Analytics. "Being recognized by the international community for our innovative approach validates our commitment to excellence and positions our graduates as leaders in this rapidly growing field."
Leading Innovation Since 2017
Samford University was the first institution in the United States to launch a Center for Sports Analytics in 2017, pioneering sports analytics education at the undergraduate level. The university's Sports Industry Program, housed within the AACSB-accredited Brock School of Business, has achieved a 100% internship and job placement rate for its graduates.
The program's recent graduate placements demonstrate its effectiveness, with students securing positions in sports analytics with premier organizations including the Minnesota Vikings, PGA, Atlanta Braves, Charlotte F.C., and Tennessee Titans.
What Sets Samford Apart
ASPA's review panel was particularly impressed by several distinctive elements of Samford's program:
- Innovative "Moneyball Team" Structure: Students work in collaborative teams that mirror real-world sports analytics departments, providing an authentic experience in data-driven decision making.
- Oxford Tutorial-Style Mentorship: Personalized mentorship model ensures individualized attention and development for each student.
- Exceptional Industry Integration: Continuous applied experience through partnerships with professional sports organizations, providing students with real-world analytics projects.
- Rigorous Economics-Based Training: Advanced statistical methods combined with economic principles prepare graduates for the complex analytical challenges in modern sports.
International Recognition
ASPA endorsement places Samford among a select group of prestigious universities globally that have received this recognition. Other institutions that have earned ASPA endorsement include several respected European universities:
- University of Chichester (United Kingdom) - the first undergraduate degree program in the UK to receive an endorsement from ASPA, with two ASPA-endorsed programs
- Bournemouth University (United Kingdom)
- Loughborough University (United Kingdom) - offers MSc in Applied Sport Performance Analysis with ASPA-recognized placements
Samford's achievement as the first American university to receive this endorsement establishes the institution as a leader in bringing European-standard sports analytics education to the United States, placing it among elite global institutions recognized for excellence in sports performance analysis education.
Louis Langdown, ASPA Executive Officer, praised Samford's program as representing "best practice in sports analytics education" and commended the university "for its leadership in advancing sports performance analysis education."
Comprehensive Sports Analytics Education
Samford's Center for Sports Analytics offers two distinct career tracks:
- Sports Business Strategy and Analytics: Focusing on fan engagement, ticketing, sponsorship activation, and revenue optimization
- Team Strategy and Player Performance: Emphasizing player evaluation, game strategy, recruiting analysis, and performance optimization
Both tracks combine rigorous academic coursework with hands-on experience through the university's Preferred Internship Program, which provides exclusive internship opportunities with professional sports organizations.
About Samford University's Sports Industry Program
Located in Birmingham, Alabama, Samford University's Brock School of Business is the only AACSB-accredited business school in the South offering a comprehensive sports business curriculum. The Sports Industry Program features innovative degree options, including a five-year Fast Track BSBA/MBA program with an 12-month sports residency component.
The program integrates Christian values with rigorous academics, preparing principled leaders whom top sports organizations highly seek after. With enrollment capped at 15 students per class, the program maintains an intimate learning environment with extensive networking opportunities and professional development activities.
About ASPA
The Association of Sports Performance Analysts (ASPA) is the international professional body for sports performance analysts and data scientists. As a non-profit organization, ASPA drives excellence in performance analysis and data sciences in sport through the promotion of evidence-based practice and serves as an inclusive community dedicated to developing professional and ethical standards in applied sports performance analysis.
Looking Forward
This historic endorsement positions Samford University to continue its leadership role in sports analytics education while attracting top-tier students and faculty to advance the field further. The recognition also enhances the career prospects of program graduates, providing them with internationally recognized credentials as they enter the competitive sports analytics job market.
For more information about Samford University's Sports Industry Program and Center for Sports Analytics, visit www.samford.edu/business/sports-business or www.samford.edu/sports-analytics.
Samford University is a leading private Christian university founded in 1841. Consistently ranked among the top universities in the South, Samford enrolls 5,683 students from 48 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools.
