Game-Changing Analytics in Sports

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10125/112429

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    A Pilot Comparison of Open-Source and Proprietary Player Tracking Systems for Collegiate Athletics
    (2026-01-06) Davis, Sean; Kahn, Julian; Sweeney, Kristi
    This pilot study compared open-source and proprietary player tracking systems for collegiate athletics applications. A single collegiate athlete performed one pure acceleration trial and one standardized ‘10-0-5’ change-of-direction trial (which involves an acceleration, rapid deceleration, and directional change, ending with another acceleration in the opposite direction) with identical video footage processed by both a custom open-source pipeline (YOLO+MediaPipe+OpenCV) and a commercial proprietary system. Both systems generated comprehensive biomechanical reports with key metrics like step length, frequency, and max speed. The open-source system provides detailed kinematics, transparency, lower costs, and unlimited customization. It offers automated reports on metrics like ground contact time and leg stiffness with minimal technical skill. The pilot shows both open-source and proprietary options are feasible in colleges. Open-source systems are good for resourceful institutions seeking cheap customization, while proprietary systems are better for routine monitoring. Findings support larger studies to determine the best system for college athletics.
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    Thrown or Thriving: Modeling Buckoff Risk in Professional Bull Riding
    (2026-01-06) Collins, Ivy; Collins, Clay
    This study develops two regression frameworks to model buckoff risk and rider performance in professional bull riding. Using a Cox proportional hazards model, we estimate how bull and rider characteristics affect the time until buckoff. On the condition that the ride is a full 8-second ride, we apply linear regression to model rider scoring. Results show that bull difficulty and buckoff history are strong predictors of ride failure and scoring potential, while rider experience offers modest protection. Although direct injury data are unavailable, buckoffs serve as a practical proxy for risk, supporting applications in injury prevention, matchup planning, and training design.
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    Will They Be More Honest With an (External) Proctor? Evaluating UFC Match Performance Before and After the Adoption of the USADA Doping Program
    (2026-01-06) Hyun, Moonsup; Jee, Wonsok (Frank); Kang, Sehwon; Lee, Yo Han
    Over the eight years from 2015 to 2023, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) partnered with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to institute comprehensive external oversight of doping controls. This study investigates the effects of transitioning from internally administered anti-doping protocols to exclusive external governance by comparing UFC performance metrics before and during the USADA partnership. Using a Difference-in-Differences (DiD) approach with data from 2012 to 2018, we find that match duration significantly increased, while the likelihood of extreme outcomes, knockouts (KO), technical knockouts (TKO), and submissions, decreased during the USADA period. These results suggest that performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) could be more prevalent before USADA oversight and declined once stricter testing was introduced. The findings imply that UFC’s move away from USADA could lead to increased PED use among fighters.
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    Spatial-Competitive Analytics in Professional Bass Fishing: A Network-Based Framework for Location Strategy Analysis
    (2026-01-06) Congelio, Bradley
    Professional bass fishing is a noteworthy competitive sport system with substantial prize money and media coverage, yet it lacks the advanced analytical frameworks that have transformed other professional sports. This study introduces a comprehensive analytical framework specifically designed for tournament bass fishing that addresses unique challenges including dynamic spatial strategies, temporal performance variations, and competitor interactions with finite number of bass. Drawing from methodologies in sport analytics, ecological network theory, and spatial analysis, four novel performance metrics are presented: the Productive Water Coefficient (PWC), the Competitive Advantage Metric (CAM), the Integrated Location Importance Metric (ILIM), and the Performance Index (PI). The framework is demonstrated using data from the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series tournament at Toledo Bend Reservoir, comprising 1,587 individual fish catch records across 102 professional anglers over four tournament days. Analysis reveals previously indiscernible patterns, including markedly different spatial utilization strategies between elite performers and the rest of the field. This framework provides data-driven insights for competitive strategy optimization, enhanced fan engagement through real-time analytics, and establishes a foundation for further advanced performance evaluation in professional bass fishing.
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    Introduction to the Minitrack on Game-Changing Analytics in Sports
    (2026-01-06) Nestler, Scott; Macdonald, Brian; Jensen, Jonathan; Chang, Yonghwan