For Matthew Sturtevant '26, Data Analytics Is Trendy, Fun, And Feeds His Passion For Sports
Matthew Sturtevant ’26 loves data and sports. He also loves the flexibility of his Keene State education, which allows him to combine those passions.
It helps to explain why his short list of possible careers includes working for a professional sports franchise’s data analytics team.
A Rochester, N.H., native majoring in mathematics and minoring in business management, data analytics, and statistics, Matthew is seizing every opportunity to conceptualize and complete an education aligned with his pursuits.
It isn’t always so straightforward, but the interdisciplinarity of Keene State’s fast-growing data analytics program has given him a pathway, not to mention the ability to help fashion and present “cool sports-related data projects.”
Studying raw data is one thing, preparing the data and visualizations for those who might not be as mathematically inclined is another. Making that bridge as the presenter is everything; it helps the audience to understand the story and science behind the numbers.”
– Matthew Sturtevant ’26
Keene State’s data analytics program merges expertise from seven academic departments, emphasizes hands-on approaches, and provides students with core skills they can apply immediately in an in-demand field.
“Data is everywhere, and how to tell compelling stories with data is a needed skill for every field,” said Sarah McGregor, professor of physics at Keene State. “Our program is different in that we began with faculty from mathematics, physics, business management, and computer science working with industry to build a truly holistic and interdisciplinary program that focuses on the hard skills of how to manage and visualize data, and the soft skills of telling compelling and ethical stories.”
Equally important, McGregor adds, is domain knowledge, so students who major in data analytics will also minor in a field of their choice. “This helps them to build up a targeted portfolio of data analysis projects to bring into the workforce, showcasing their expertise and skills.”
Matthew says there is no doubt that that strong underpinning, like the freedom he has to help shape his education, will serve him well.
“I’ve always known that I liked math,” he says. “That, plus my interest in data analytics and sports, has created this perfect academic marriage for me. Any sports fan knows that teams rely heavily on numbers to make decisions, and that kind of data use will only get bigger.”
Completing four data projects, one for each of his classes and all sports-themed, allowed Matthew to earn a minor in data analytics. He also presented his project findings at the College’s annual Academic Excellence Celebration.
The first three semester-long projects were titled “NBA Salary Factors,” “How to Build The Perfect Fantasy Football Team,” and “NFL Combine Analysis.” A fourth, his portfolio project, tied the three works together with more creative and thoughtful insight and analysis.
The NBA project, for which he had a student partner, examined how NBA statistics affect NBA salaries. “Specifically,” he explains, “we took a bunch of stats, studied the strength of correlation between the player stats and their corresponding salaries, and came up with a regression equation that could predict a player’s salary. Not perfectly, of course, but within reason.”
He said presenting has sharpened his public-speaking skills and helped him appreciate the importance of being clear and avoiding technical jargon and the specialized language of data and numbers.
“Studying raw data is one thing, preparing the data and visualizations for those who might not be as mathematically inclined is another. Making that bridge as the presenter is everything; it helps the audience to understand the story and science behind the numbers.”
Matthew says small class size and easy ways to connect and engage with faculty have benefited him greatly. “If I’m at a roadblock, they help me get by it. And they steer you to opportunities outside the classroom to enhance your learning experience. Those are the things I wanted at Keene State, and I have them.”
He is a member of the College’s Ultimate Frisbee Club, an outreach officer for the student-run Make-A-Wish Club, and co-hosts a podcast with a good friend. He enjoys working out and … well, you might have guessed by now, watching sports and breaking down competition with curiosity, theory, and data interpretation.
It’s trendy, and as Matthew would say, fascinating.
