Eleven students kicked off preparations this week for a project with Nike by meeting via Skype with VP of Nike Field Sports, Tracy Teague. The team of students will spend the next two months collecting data, conducting research and developing strategic recommendations for one of the most prominent sports brands on the globe. Data collection and analysis will be coordinated through the new Samford University Center for Sports Analytics. Dr. Nathan Kirkpatrick, Center for Sports Analytics Fellow and Assistant Professor of Sports Management, will partner with Dr. Darin White, Executive Director of the Center and Sports Marketing Program Coordinator, on the project and join the team for the trip out West. 

Each year the seniors in the sports marketing program at Samford University develop a strategic marketing plan for a major sports team or brand. Previous classes have completed projects for the NBA, Bayern Munich, Miami Dolphins and the SEC.

The project will culminate with the team flying out to Oregon for a presentation at Nike WHQ.