Scaling Analytics in Sports (Big Data Cup 5)

Event Synopsis

The Big Data Cup is a yearly event that brings together students, analysts, and sports enthusiasts to explore how data and analytics are transforming the world of sports. This year’s theme, Scaling Analytics in Sports, highlights how insights developed within professional organizations such as Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and the Toronto Blue Jays extend beyond elite teams to create meaningful impact in the broader community. Technologies once developed behind closed doors — from computer vision systems to advanced performance modeling — are increasingly being shared more widely.

The evening will feature remarks and insights from Sreekar Voleti, Senior Data Scientist – Sport Performance Lab at MLSE, and Joe Sheehan, Assistant General Manager at the Toronto Blue Jays, followed by the presentation of this year’s finalist projects and the announcement of the Big Data Cup 5 winners — celebrating student work that demonstrates how sports analytics can scale from elite performance environments to classrooms, communities, and everyday athletes.

Through the Big Data Cup datathon, students work with real-world data to develop solutions that enhance performance, improve fan engagement, and support more inclusive products and experiences. The competition mirrors the broader industry shift toward democratizing analytics and scaling innovation beyond the professional level.

HOST: TD Management Data and Analytics Lab

TD Management Data and Analytics Lab, promotes cutting-edge analytic tools in business through teaching and research, and is a central source of knowledge and expertise in data science, AI, and machine learning applications.

CO-PRESENTER: Stathletes

Stathletes, is a Canadian company, founded with the purpose of developing a comprehensive statistical database to drive winning in hockey through real, actionable data. Proud to serve all major North American hockey leagues, their partners and affiliates with exclusive data, reports, insights and visualizations.

SPONSOR: University of Toronto Sports Analytics (UTSPAN)

University of Toronto Sports Analytics (UTSPAN) is a student-led group that connects members who share a passion for sports analytics, organizes and conducts research, and fosters industry connections. We have achieved notable success, including winning the NFL Big Data Bowl, SMT Baseball Data Challenge, and the Big Data Cup, and last term, we partnered with MLSE’s Sport Performance Lab to host an exciting basketball data challenge.

This event is available to attend in-person only.

Rotman Events is committed to accessibility for all people. If you have any access needs or if there are any ways we can support your full participation in this session, please email [[email protected]] no later than 2 weeks in advance of the event and we will be glad to work with you to make the appropriate arrangements.

• The event will be hosted at Desautels Hall at the Rotman School of Management (105 St. George St., Toronto, ON M5S 3E6).

Meghan Chayka, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder, Stathletes

Meghan is an entrepreneur and the co-founder of Stathletes, a sports analytics and insights business that provides industry leading data precision within the sport of hockey. Meghan has built a team in Niagara, Waterloo and Toronto working on creating the new era of sports technology. Having a wide variety of clients, Meghan was named in the 2018/2019 season Top Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Ontario Chamber of Commerce), Top 40 under 40 (The Athletic NHL), and on the Top 100 of Power & Influence in the Hockey News.

Ryan Webb, Academic Director, TD Management Data and Analytics Lab; Associate Professor, Rotman School of Management

Ryan's research integrates neuroscience, psychology, and economics to provide insight into consumer behaviour. Ryan serves on the editorial board of PNASnexus and received a Ph.D. in Economics from Queen’s University and research fellowships at New York University and the California Institute of Technology.

Joe Sheehan was named Assistant General Manager on September 29, 2016. He originally started with the Blue Jays in November of 2010 as a Baseball Information Analyst. On January 2, 2015, he was promoted to Manager, Baseball Research and Development, a role he held until his appointment to Director of Analytics in December of 2015. In that role, he was responsible for creating and communicating many of the advanced analytic metrics and processes used by the Baseball Operations staff. Sheehan helped develop the team’s internal scouting software, as well as other systems used across all levels of the department and was responsible for manag­ing departmental statistical and scouting databases. He previously worked for the Pirates from 2009-2010, both as an intern and as a Baseball Operations Data Analyst, contributing analytic work to baseball operations decisions. Joe interned for San Diego Padres and Colorado Rock­ies in 2006 and 2008, respectively. He graduated from Oberlin College (Ohio) with a degree in Biology and played baseball at Oberlin from 2002-2006. Originally from Winchester, MA (outside Boston), Sheehan currently resides in Toronto.

Info:
Meghan Chayka, Canadian data scientist and co-founder of Stathletes and Ryan Webb, Associate Professor at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, Director of the Management and Data Analytics Lab, and on the editorial board of PNASnexus.

Info: Sreekar Voleti, Senior Data Scientist – Sport Performance Lab at MLSE

Info: Joe Sheehan, Assistant General Manager at the Toronto Blue Jays. Moderated by Meghan Chayka, Entrepreneur, Co-Founder, Stathletes

Info: Stathletes + MDAL
Presentation of 2 Finalist Videos

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Rotman School of Management, 105 Saint George Street, Toronto, Canada

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