Sports Analytics Club: The Benefit of HBCUs Developing Data Science Programs

SACP Founder Robert Clayton and SACP National Program Manager Christien Oliver have been selected to moderate two data science panels during the 2019 HBCU Week Conference, sponsored by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

Participants will explore how HBCUs can position themselves as global leaders in efforts to improve society through teaching and research based on the powerful, emerging field of data science. The amount of available data in the world is more than doubling every two years and there is a shortage of qualified data scientists to analyze and interpret the data and to help make data-informed decisions for the betterment of society. Schools of Data Science, which may offer both graduate and undergraduate degrees and certificates, help to meet soaring demand for qualified data science professionals in a field that plays a key role in the global information-based economy.

1. Mr. Clayton’s panel, “The Benefit of HBCUs Developing Data Science Programs,” will take place 8:45am - 9:45am, and will feature:

• Dr. Edward Dieterle, Executive Director of the Center for External Research and Strategic Research Alliances at the Educational Testing Service 

• Jon Love, Head of Public Sector Partner Development for the Microsoft Corporation

• Dr. Claudia Scholz, Associate Director for Research Development of the Data Science Institute at the University of Virginia

• Dr. Tasha Inniss, Associate Provost for Research at Spelman College

HBCU Conference Registration Link

2. Mr. Oliver’s panel, “Sports Analytics Curricula at HBCUs: the Building of a STEM Talent and Career Development Pipeline,” will take place 12:30pm - 1:30pm and will feature: 

• Ed Tapscott, former interim President and General Manager of the NBA New York Knickerbockers 
• Dr. Timothy Chartier, Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Davidson College
• Dr. Monir Sharker, Professor of Computer Science at Morgan State University
• Dr. Jafus Kenyatta Cavil, Professor of Sports Management at Texas Southern University
• Damon Jones, Senior Vice President & General Counsel for the MLB Washington Nationals Baseball Club