munication abilities. As the field evolves, staying current with new technologies and analytical methods is essential. Recognizing the need for specialized train- ing, Lipscomb University launched Ten- nessee’s first Master of Science in Sport Analytics in 2024, one of only three such programs in the southern United States. The program is designed to equip students with advanced skills in data management, visualization and interpretation, preparing them for analytical roles in professional and collegiate sports, e-sports, finance, media, and sports marketing agencies. “Sports analytics is expanding rapidly, en- compassing everything from player per- formance to strategic game management,” said Andrew Mauldin, assistant professor of kinesiology and program director for Lipscomb University’s new graduate pro- gram. “Our curriculum is meticulously crafted to prepare graduates not just to participate in, but to lead this dynamic in- dustry.” The curriculum covers applied statistics, legal and ethical considerations, consumer behavior analytics, predictive modeling, and intellectual property and Name, Image, Likeness (NIL). Students benefit from capstone projects, expert faculty mentorship, and extensive networking op- portunities. “The business analytics team here with the Blue Jackets is crucial to our entire or- ganization every single day, especially in the ticketing world,” said Marty Mulford, vice president, ticket sales and service for the Columbus Blue Jackets. “The type and amount of detailed information they provide us can almost be overwhelming at times, but makes us 100x more efficient than we were even five years ago. Teams and sports organizations will continue adding more staff in these departments as things continue to move forward and a program like Lipscomb University’s will help prepare professionals for this grow- ing need.” Caleb Waller graduated with his Master of Science in sport analytics from Lip- scomb in May 2025. While a student in the program he completed internships with Prep Baseball Tennessee, where he served as a video analytics assistant, and a promotional role with the Nashville Sounds during the 2024 season. “The new age of baseball relies so much on sports analytics. Athletes are rarely born with the skills to be professional baseball players,” said Waller. “Sport analytics helps to show which areas of an athlete's skills need further development and how to de- velop them. There is such a rewarding feel- ing watching an athlete that you discovered succeed at a high level after showing off the numbers that turn heads of college and professional baseball teams. Lipscomb helped me to quickly gain the knowledge I needed to work in my field as well as pro- vided me with the professor and employer connections I've needed to succeed.” Feature Articles Tennessee Career Guide | 2026 15 The Lipscomb University College of Health Sciences offers a Master of Sci- ence degree in sport analytics that is of- fered in an asynchronous online format to meet the busy schedules of working professionals and may be completed in one year. Students are trained for ana- lytical positions in professional and col- legiate sport, as well as other entertain- ment and sport-related careers. For more information, please visit us online at: https://lipscomb.edu/academics/pro- grams/sport-analytics
