John Tobias

Education: M.S. Sports Management, High Point University

Courses Taught: Sports Analytics DTSC 1110, Sports Business Analytics DTSC 2110, Sports Analytics Practicum DTSC 3400

Biography:
John Tobias is a Lecturer and the Program Director for the new Sports Analytics Certificate Program. As the Program Director, he is responsible for educating students on the profound influence of analytics both on and off the field. His teaching encompasses various areas such as free agency, contract negotiations, TV broadcasting, and more, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the role analytics plays in the sports industry.

John’s journey into the sports analytics field began when he transitioned from finance to pursue his passion for sports. After obtaining his Master of Science in Sports Management from High Point University, he joined the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets as an intern, which proved to be a pivotal moment in his career. His role as a talent statistician at ESPN allowed him to enhance the viewing experience by translating numbers into meaningful insights for viewers. Passionate about educating and empowering students, John contacted UNC Charlotte in 2019 with the idea of teaching a course on statistics and analytics. The success and positive impact of the course led him to continue teaching it in subsequent semesters, collaborating with analytics teams from the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, the Hornets, the Charlotte Knights, and the Charlotte Football Club.

Alongside his role at the university, John has been a TV Statistician at ESPN since 2013. In this capacity, he collaborates with TV broadcasters, providing them with advanced statistics throughout games. He works closely with producers to explain the game’s trends using advanced stats and analytics. In 2021, John founded Strength in Numbers, a non-profit organization with a mission to teach sports analytics to underrepresented groups. Recognizing the lack of diversity in the sports analytics industry, John aims to raise awareness among underrepresented students and provide them with opportunities to pursue careers in the field. John recognizes the lack of representation of minorities in the sports analytics field and aims to address this issue through his teaching and initiatives. As one of the few African-Americans in his field, he strives to create a more diverse and inclusive industry for future generations.