In the classroom, Saccoman guides students through data-driven insights shaping the
future of baseball.
Seton Hall University offered its Baseball Analytics Summer Course from July 7 to July 11, 2025. The course gave high school students the opportunity
to explore how statistical data is revolutionizing the sports industry.
Students explored the ways that statistics influence strategy, ranging from evaluating
player performance to decision-making in the game. In addition to exploring advanced
statistics, player evaluation techniques and the expanding role of analytics in sports,
the course integrates mathematical modeling to help students quantify performance,
forecast outcomes and make data-driven decisions. The course is perfect for data-driven
students and those who are interested in the business side of sports.
Collaboration and Skills
Students worked together using professional analytics software, learning to draw strategic
insights from raw numbers. Teamwork, problem-solving and communication were developed
through small group projects.
Additionally, hands-on exercises with faculty uncovered the connection between skills,
sports and broader career paths.
Reflections from the Field
Instructor John Saccoman, Ph.D., says,
After a brief introduction to mathematical statistics and Excel, we are able to dive
into some of the models that measure player performance, both the traditional and
the newer, non-traditional models. The course is very hands-on, with Excel and baseball
statistical databases used. Since baseball analytics does not work on the same order
of certainty as a mathematical proof, the students learn that multiple measures are
needed, and an argument is bolstered when multiple measures converge on the same objective
conclusion.
Bringing data to life, Saccoman shows how analytics is changing the game of baseball.
John Saccoman is a program adviser, professor and chair of the department of mathematics
and computer science at Seton Hall University. A pioneer in the fields of combinatorics
and graph theory, Saccoman specializes in baseball analytics while conducting research
in algebraic graph theory and network reliability theory. He has published many academic
articles and coauthored five books. He founded the Seton Hall University Stevens Graph
Theory Group, a well-established center for cooperative research and innovation.
Looking Forward
The Baseball Analytics Summer Course reflects Seton Hall University’s focus on providing
innovative academic programs for students. With strong student interest, the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies plans to offer and expand similar opportunities in future summer terms.
For further details and to register, visit the Pre-College Summer Programs website.
Categories:
Athletics, Education