In our sixth episode of the Sport Analytics Podcast, our host Amrit Vignesh sits down with John Tobias, an on-air TV Statistician at ESPN, Program Director of Sports Analytics at UNC Charlotte, and Founder of the Strength in Numbers nonprofit. From producing real-time metrics in ESPN broadcasts, to creating one of the few collegiate sports analytics internship programs in the nation, to forging open pathways for underrepresented students—John embodies how passion and purpose can reshape the field. John dives into: Why “following your passion” isn’t just a cliché, it’s a strategy for long-term success How live-broadcast analytics blend raw data with time-pressed storytelling The growth of sports analytics education, culminating in UNC Charlotte’s upcoming bachelor’s degree in the field His Strength in Numbers nonprofit, which provides free sports analytics camps at USC, Columbia, and UNC Charlotte Why practical experience (even if unpaid!) and strong communication skills can vault you ahead in a fiercely competitive industry Key Takeaways: Rapid-Fire Stats: Strategies for crunching data on the fly so fans can hear meaningful insights in mere seconds. Coaching Communication: Why data visualization and plain English matter more than dense code in real-world team settings. Closing the Gap: Building resources and mentorship opportunities to broaden analytics access for women and minorities. Experiential Learning: How real-world, hands-on projects in college sports can transform a student’s résumé overnight. Career Pivots: Lessons learned from John’s own switch from finance to a fulfilling ESPN role—and why it’s never too late to chase your dreams. 🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more episodes featuring leaders in sports analytics, career insights, and technical deep-dives! 📧 For inquiries or collaborations, contact Dave Yount at dave@sportanalytics.com. 🎵 Music Credit: Intro and outro music for this episode is “Nomu” by Good Kid. #SportsAnalytics #ESPN #UNCCharlotte #Broadcasting #DataScience #StrengthInNumbers #AnalyticsEducation #DiversityAndInclusion #CareerAdvice #StudentInternships