Course Syllabus

SPMGT 410-01: Sport Data Analytics

Spring 2027

3 Credit Hours

Class Hours & Location: 12:10-1:00 Monday, Wednesday, Friday in Cleveland Hall 234.

Instructor: Paul Kimbrough, PhD Office: Cleveland Hall 267

Office Hours: 10:30 – 1:30 Tuesday and Thursday or By Appointment

Email: paul.kimbrough@wsu.edu

Course Overview

This course serves as an introduction to the theory, development, and application of data analytics in sport. Concepts include using data for effective management and decision-making in sport programs, data analysis of a sport program's components, and visualization of data to communicate sport concepts.

This course has partnered with the WSU Athletics Department and Paciolan to provide student access to certain real time and relevant datasets.

Prerequisites

None.

Recommended Textbook

Sports Analytics: Data-Driven Sports and Decision Intelligence (2024) Springer Mansurali, Anifa; Prem, Mj; Hack-Polay, Dieu; Mahmoud, A B.

ISBN: 978-3-031-63572-4

Assigned Readings:

Assigned readings, including case studies, academic journal articles, and relevant news items, to be posted to Canvas.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

Understand the use of Data Standards for longevity of analysis methods in sport.
Create a notational analysis system to collect data in real time.
Use descriptive statistics to explain data sets in sport and sport business.
Communicate data in a format that can be understood by various stakeholders.
Explain the differences between various performance measures and identify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in a sport context.
Describe analytical conclusions from data both verbally and written.

Major Course Assignments and CLO Alignment

Assignments	SLOs
Descriptive Statistics for the Season	CLO 1, CLO 3
Statistics Calculation for this Season	CLO 3, CLO 5
Dashboard Presentation	CLO 2 , CLO 4, CLO 5,CLO 6
Final Presentation to Stakeholders	CLO 4, CLO 5, CLO 6

Mapping Course Learning Outcomes to Degree Program Outcomes

Degree Program Outcomes	CLO 1	CLO 2	CLO 3	CLO 4	CLO 5	CLO 6
#1 Identify and analyze ethical, legal, and socio-cultural issues, and formulate responses for use in managerial decision making and policy determinations in sport.	✔			✔
#2 Employ principles of strategic planning, and financial and human resource management.	✔		✔		✔
#3 Assess marketing and media needs and formulate short term and long term solutions.					✔
#4 Develop and apply critical thinking and abstract reasoning skills in analyzing sport management issues and in managerial planning and decision making.		✔
#5 Demonstrate information literacy and communication skills.	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
#6 Conceive, plan, execute, and evaluate a sports event.			✔		✔

Course Timeline

Available on Canvas on the Course Schedule Page.

Course Policies and Expectations

Expectation for Student Effort

For each hour of lecture equivalent, students should expect to have a minimum of two hours of work outside class. Students should expect to dedicate approximately 9 hours per week to this course, including three hours of scheduled class time and 6 hours of work outside of the classroom. Time outside of class will involve both group and individual assignments and preparation for class lectures.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend every class. Absences beyond six days of class (equivalent to 13% of the course) will result in lowering your final grade by 10 percentage points. Every three days of class missed beyond this will result in additional grade deductions of 10 percentages points. Reasonable accommodation will always be made for circumstances outside the student's control and for university approved absences.

Days Missed	Grade Deduction	Days Missed	Grade Deduction
<6	0%	13-15	30%
7-9	10%	16-18	40%
10-12	20%	19+	50%

Course Delivery

Barring unforeseeable circumstances, this course is delivered face-to-face at the scheduled meeting time without a remote attendance option.

Attendance in class is mandatory during the first week of classes. Students who miss class during the first week of the semester may be dropped from the course (Academic Regulation 72b).

AI Statement

Students are allowed to use advanced automated tools (artificial intelligence or machine learning tools such as ChatGPT, Co-Pilot, or Dall-E) on assignments in this course if instructor permission is obtained in advance. Unless given permission to use those tools, each student is expected to complete each assignment without substantive assistance from others, including automated tools. If permission to use AI tools is granted in class, it is expected that students use the tool and cite how the tool was used.

Assignments

Assignments to be submitted on the Canvas Course page. Grades / feedback will be provided on each submission. Students have 14 days (two weeks) to discuss a grade entry.

Submit written assignments to Canvas as a docx (word) document. Convert all Mac Pages to a docx file. Do not submit pages, pdf, or text. Students will receive one reminder of this policy, which will result in a point lost on the assignment; thereafter, a grade of zero will be entered for pages, pdf, or text submissions.

If you have questions about a score you receive on an assignment, FIRST check the feedback associated with the assignment. If you have questions after reading the feedback, then coordinate a time to discuss the assignment with me or meet me in my office hours.

Communication with Instructor

If changes are made to the course schedule or to assignments, I will use the Announcement Link on Canvas and I will make announcements in class. Emails will be answered between 8 AM Monday and 5 PM Friday, within 24 hours of receiving a message.

All email communication with me must originate from an edu email account.
Whenever you send an email, please include in the subject line the following information: Course&Section_Last Name_Topic. Also, please write a proper email opposed to a text message. Including a professional salutation, body, and signature.

Course Grading Scale

Grade	Percent	Grade	Percent
A	95.0 & above	C	73.0 – 76.99%
A–	90.0 – 94.99%	C–	70.0 – 72.99%
B+	87.0 –89.99%	D+	67.0 – 69.99%
B	83.0 –86.99%	D	60.0 – 66.99%
B–	80.0 – 82.99%	F	59.99% & below
C+	77.0 – 79.99%

Review the percentages listed above. The grading and percent scale is set; there is no rounding. Emails at the end of the semester to ask to change a grade will not be answered.

Course Requirements

Evaluation

All assignment descriptions and grading policies are available on Canvas. Students will be assessed according to the following assignments:

Descriptive Statistics for the Season - 20%

Description:

Students will analyze a full season of data for a selected team, topic, or player at WSU. Using publicly accessible data or data provided from the athletic department, you are to provide descriptive statistics (mean, median, standard deviation, etc.) to establish key performance metrics around your selected project. A short report (2-3 pages) with tables and visualizations will be submitted.

Statistics Calculation for this Season - 20%

Description:
Students will evaluate the most recent data in comparison to the 2024 or earlier data for their project. This will include three components to understand key measures for the data.

1 . Segment the two datasets data and compare the key factors for each segment.

Compare similar data points from the segments to identify differences in the datasets.
Interpret the data. Why do these differences exist? What anomalies seem to exist?

A short report (2-3 pages) with tables and visualizations will be submitted.

Dashboard Presentation - 20%

Description:
Students will use Tableau to create an interactive visualization of their data. The presentation should include at least two dashboards showcasing key statistics as discussed in the class or other relevant performance metrics. A short report (2-3 pages) with tables and visualizations will be submitted.

Final Presentation - 40%

Description:
The final project is an in-depth analysis of your semester project using a combination of statistical methods and Tableau visualizations. Students will investigate a question as presented from conversations in the athletic department. The final submission should include a detailed written report (4-5 pages) and a presentation dashboard.

Due Dates

All due dates are time-sensitive. See the ‘Course Schedule’ for deadlines. Emailed assignments after the deadlines will not be accepted. Reasonable accommodations may be offered for students who miss an assignment due to circumstances outside their control. It is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor if a situation arises.

Grading Philosophy

In this course, grading is designed to simulate a professional environment. Assignments provide the freedom to produce innovative and thoughtful work. Rather than starting with a perfect score and deducting points for errors, grades will reflect how well the work earns its way toward excellence. Use this approach as an opportunity to practice the skills and habits that will serve you in your career, whether you are working within an organization or as an entrepreneur.

Each assignment will be graded as a whole. There are no separate grades for the “ideas” in an assignment versus the “presentation” of those ideas, nor are there percentages of each assignment dedicated to different sub-components. Each assignment will receive a grade for the quality of the work as a whole. The maximum available points for any assignment is equal to the percentage that assignment counts toward the final grade. Only integer point values will be assigned.

Academic Integrity Statement

You are responsible for reading WSU’s Academic Integrity Policy

Links to an external site., which is based on Washington State law

Links to an external site.. If you cheat in your work in this class you will:

Fail the assignment for the first event, fail the course for the second event.
Be reported to the Center for Community Standards

Links to an external site..
Have the right to appeal my decision.
Not be able to drop the course or withdraw from the course until the appeals process is finished.

If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do in this course, ask me.

If you want to ask for a change in my decision about academic integrity, use the form at the Center for Community Standards website. You must submit this request within 21 calendar days of the decision.”

Classroom Decorum Statement

In support of fruitful and open academic discourse, we are all are expected to engage in courteous, civil, and mutually respectful exchanges focused on and relevant to the course materials. Students should not engage in disruptive behavior which obstructs or disrupts the learning environment, including, but not limited to, dominating the classroom or online discussion, behavior that disrupts the flow of instruction, or failure to cooperate in maintaining classroom decorum. Students engaging in behavior that is disruptive to the course objectives may be asked to leave or be referred to the appropriate disciplinary process. I am similarly committed to creating a civil and productive environment for the free exchange of ideas; students who have concerns about this should contact the department chair or director for [that course] (department chairs and directors are available in the academic catalog: https://catalog.wsu.edu).

University Syllabus Statement and Link

Students are responsible for reading and understanding all university-wide policies and resources pertaining to all courses (for instance: accommodations, care resources, policies on discrimination or harassment), which can be found in the university syllabus

Links to an external site.

UNIVERSITY RESOURCES

Students with Disabilities

Reasonable accommodations are available for students with documented disabilities or chronic medical or psychological conditions. If you have such a condition and need accommodations to fully participate in this class, please visit your campus’ Access Center/Services website to follow published procedures to request accommodations. Students may also contact their campus offices to schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor. All disability related accommodations are to be approved through the Access Center/Services on your campus. It is a university expectation that students connect with instructors (via email, Zoom, or in person) to discuss logistics within two weeks after they have officially requested their accommodations.

For more information contact an Access Advisor on the Pullman campus:

Access Center (https://www.accesscenter.wsu.edu)

(509) 335-3417 | access.center@wsu.edu

Discrimination and Harassment Policy Statement

Discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct (including stalking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence) is prohibited at WSU (See WSU Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment (Executive Policy 15) and WSU Standards of Conduct for Students). If you feel you have experienced or have witnessed discriminatory conduct, you can contact the WSU Office of Compliance & Civil Rights (CCR) and/or the WSU Title IX Coordinator at 509-335-8288 to discuss resources, including confidential resources, and reporting options. (Visit ccr.wsu.edu for more information). Most WSU employees, including faculty, who have information regarding sexual harassment or sexual misconduct are required to report the information to CCR or a designated Title IX Coordinator or Liaison. (Visit ccr.wsu.edu/reporting-requirements for more info).

Accommodation for Religious Observances or Activities:

Washington State University reasonably accommodates absences allowing for students to take holidays for reasons of faith or conscience or organized activities conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or religious organization. Reasonable accommodation requires the student to coordinate with the instructor on scheduling examinations or other activities necessary for course completion. Students requesting accommodation must provide written notification within the first two weeks of the beginning of the course and include specific dates for absences. Approved accommodations for absences will not adversely impact student grades. Absence from classes or examinations for religious reasons does not relieve students from responsibility for any part of the course work required during the period of absence. Students who feel they have been treated unfairly in terms of this accommodation may refer to Academic Regulation 104 – Academic Complaint Procedures. See also Rule 82, available at https://registrar.wsu.edu/academic-regulations/

Lauren’s Promise – I will listen and believe you if someone is threatening you.

Lauren McCluskey, a 21-year-old honors student-athlete, was murdered on October 22, 2018, on the University of Utah campus by a man she briefly dated. We must all take actions to ensure that this never happens again.

University Support and Response for Discrimination and Harassment

Discrimination, discriminatory harassment, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct (including stalking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence) are prohibited at WSU (see Executive Policy 15 - WSU Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment, the WSU Standards of Conduct for Students, and relevant employee manuals). WSU has instituted procedures to respond to violations of these laws and standards, programs aimed at the prevention of such conduct, and intervention on behalf of victims.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

If you are experiencing sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, discrimination or harassment, you have support and options. If you share information with me, please know that I am required to reach out to the Title IX Coordinator in WSU Compliance and Civil Rights (CCR), and CCR will reach out to you with information about on and off campus reporting options and resources. CCR is a system-wide resource (all campuses) which is available for intake consultations for you to learn more about available support. You can reach them directly at 509-335-8288, ccr@wsu.edu, or report online (anonymous reports accepted).

You can also speak to a victim advocate, a medical provider, or counselor confidentially about your concerns. Advocates help survivors of crime determine their own needs in regards to their physical and emotional health, reporting options, and academic concerns. At no cost, advocates connect survivors to campus and community services, and provide accompaniment to important appointments (court, hospital, and police) and support throughout the process. For a list of confidential victim advocates and medical providers, please visit CCR Resources.

WSU Police Department (WSU PD) officers and campus security will treat victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, hate crimes, and other crimes with respect and dignity. WSU PD, campus security departments, CCR, and victim advocates can also help you with safety planning.

Safety and Emergency Notification

Classroom and campus safety are of paramount importance at Washington State University and are the shared responsibility of the entire campus population. WSU urges students to follow the “Alert, Assess, Act,” protocol for all types of emergencies and the “Run, Hide, Fight” response for an active shooter incident. Remain ALERT (through direct observation or emergency notification), ASSESS your specific situation, and ACT in the most appropriate way to assure your own safety (and the safety of others if you are able).

Please sign up for emergency alerts on your account at MyWSU. For more information on this subject, campus safety, and related topics, please view the FBI’s Run, Hide, Fight video and visit the WSU safety portal.

Full details can be found at https://provost.wsu.edu/classroom-safety.

Academic Regulation 104: Addressing Course Concerns

Students should follow these steps to resolve concerns or complaints about grades, instruction, or course policies:

For concerns on course policies as outlined in the course syllabus, the concern should be emailed to the instructor within 5 business days after the first day of class instruction, or for students who enroll after the first day of class within 5 days of receiving access to the syllabus, in either hard-copy or electronic form.
For grades on individual assignments, the concern should be emailed to the instructor in a timely way (typically within a week of receiving the grade, or as defined by the instructor) so that the issue may be addressed.
For final grades, the concern must be emailed to the instructor within 10 business days of the final grading deadline and posting to the transcript.
For any other concerns about instruction that arise during the course, the student should email the instructor to attempt to resolve the issue.

If the concern is not resolved with the instructor within 10 business days of sending the email, or if the instructor is unavailable, then the student may work directly with the chair of the academic department in which the course is offered. The chair’s decision shall be rendered within 10 additional business days.

After the chair’s decision, the student may appeal to the Dean’s Office of the academic college. Concerns must be emailed to the college dean within 10 business days of the chair’s decision. The written statement should: describe the concern, provide supporting evidence of how the student has attempted to resolve the concern, indicate how the issue affects the student, and state the remedy sought from the college dean.

The decision of the college dean is the final step and shall be made within 10 business days.

The University Ombuds is available at any stage for advice or assistance in resolving academic concerns.

Note: Though chairs and college deans (and program leaders and campus chancellors) may resolve concerns about instruction and grading, they may not change a final grade without the consent of the instructor, except as provided by Rule 105.

Course Schedule

WEEK 1
Monday	Introduction
Wednesday	Athletic Department Introduction
Friday	Project Description and Short Presentation
WEEK 2
Monday	MLK Day NO CLASS
Wednesday	Data Standards
Friday	Project Workday
WEEK 3
Monday	Notational Analysis
Wednesday	Descriptive Statistics
Friday	Project Workday
WEEK 4
Monday	Decision Making with Data
Wednesday	Using Descriptive Stats
Friday	Project Workday	Descriptive Stats for a Season
WEEK 5
Monday	Data Tracking
Wednesday	Combining N.A. and Stats
Friday	Project Workday
WEEK 6
Monday	Presidents' Day NO CLASS
Wednesday	Using Spreadsheets
Friday	Project Workday
WEEK 7
Monday	Using KPIs for Communication
Wednesday	Eliminating Noise
Friday	Project Workday
WEEK 8
Monday	Subjective Analysis
Wednesday	Alternative Performance Measures
Friday	Project Workday	Statistics Calculation for the Season
WEEK 9
Monday	Data Segmentation
Wednesday	Additional & Environmental Factors
Friday	Project Workday
WEEK 10
Monday	Handling Outlier Data
Wednesday	Tableau Presentations
Friday	Project Workday
WEEK 11
Monday	Data Presentations
Wednesday	Combining Performance Measures
Friday	Project Workday
WEEK 12
Monday	Holistic Analysis Principles
Wednesday	Presenting to Stakeholders
Friday	Project Workday	Dashboard Presentation
WEEK 13
Monday	Data as a Language
Wednesday	Comparative Analysis
Friday	Project Workday
WEEK 14
Monday	Constraints Analysts Face
Wednesday	Peer Review of Analysis
Friday	Project Workday
WEEK 15
Monday	Style of Play Factors
Wednesday	Final Project Presentations
Friday	Final Project Presentations
WEEK 16
Date TBD	Final Project Submission	On Course Final Date