The newly reimagined David B. Falk College of Sport establishes a bold new standard in sport-focused education, career acceleration and research. Bringing together premier academic programs in sport management, sport analytics, exercise science, nutrition and esports, the college reflects the rapid growth and diversification of the global sport industry.
Jeremy Jordan (center) was appointed as the new dean of Falk College in September 2023.
“Our goal is to become the national leader in sport education,” says Falk College Dean Jeremy Jordan. “By nurturing our existing programs and introducing new, innovative opportunities, we will continue to attract top talent and provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to drive change and innovation in the sport industry. We’re focused on creating a future where our students don’t just participate in the industry—they lead it.”
In 2011, David B. Falk ’72 and Rhonda S. Falk ’74 made a transformational $15 million gift to Syracuse University. A leading figure in the sports world, David Falk negotiated numerous groundbreaking deals for his clients, including Michael Jordan’s historic partnership with Nike.
What’s in a Name?
David Falk, a 1972 graduate of Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, is widely regarded as the most influential agent in NBA history and a transformative figure in the broader sport industry.
As founder of Falk Associates Management Enterprises, David Falk revolutionized athlete representation long before name, image, likeness (NIL) and influencer marketing, brokering iconic deals like Michael Jordan’s Nike partnership, Patrick Ewing’s record-breaking contract, and the first $100 million deal in professional sports for Alonzo Mourning. His influence stretches into pop culture—featured in the Netflix docuseries The Last Dance and credited as an executive producer of Space Jam. In 2011, he and his wife, Rhonda, donated $15 million to Syracuse University, leading to the naming of the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.
Now in 2025, the college takes a transformative step forward. Re-envisioned as the David B. Falk College of Sport, it becomes the nation’s first standalone college of sport on a Research 1 campus. Singular in focus, global in reach, and designed for the future, Falk College aims to be the top academic and research institution in sport.
Leading the Field
As the sport industry undergoes rapid transformation, Falk College is poised to lead conversations and solutions around global trends—from technological advances and the increasing demand for women professionals within the sport business to the globalization of the industry.
Using wearable technology and statistics, sport analytics students collaborate closely with Syracuse’s athletic teams to collect and analyze data, helping shape game strategies and training regimens.
Technology in Sport
Technological innovation is reshaping every aspect of sport—from athlete performance to fan engagement. Falk College’s programs emphasize advanced analytics, biomechanics and data science, preparing students to operate at the forefront of sport and technology.
Its pioneering sport analytics program combines rigorous academics with real-world experience. In partnership with Syracuse Athletics, students conduct data analysis for 13 NCAA Division I teams. Falk College has also built international collaborations, working with organizations like the United Football League, Japan’s Kumamoto Volters basketball team, the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets and MLS’s CF Montreal.
“The sport analytics program is revolutionizing education in sport,” says Jonah Soos ’25, who won the undergraduate division at the 2025 National Sport Analytics Championships. “To have the opportunity to so frequently interact with alumni in the industry, learn using real-world data and practice and compete against peers to build a collective wealth of knowledge, it’s what leads us to win all these competitions.”
In 2024, Falk College established a partnership with Women Leaders in Sports, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to developing, connecting and empowering women in the sport industry.
Women in Sport
The rise of women’s sports is creating new career pathways and markets. Falk College fosters a welcoming learning environment that embraces representation and prepares graduates to lead in this expanding sector.
Ava Uribe ’26, a sport management major and sport analytics minor, made history as the first female lead author to win the Research Paper Competition at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in its 19-year history.
“To represent soccer’s place in analytics and to be a female at this competition is something I’m extremely proud of,” says Uribe, a forward on Syracuse’s women’s soccer team. “I could not be more grateful for the professors that I’ve had that have been able to work with me and create this opportunity.”
In 2024, Falk College initiated a multiyear partnership with Women Leaders in Sports, offering students mentoring, internships and professional development opportunities.
“I hope more students in Falk College learn about the partnership, take advantage of it and use their network to find other opportunities,” says sport management major Lexi Katz ’27, who met with the organization’s leadership during an on-campus networking session.
The first-of-its-kind esports communications and management degree equips students for careers in the rapidly expanding esports industry, offering specialized tracks in business and management, communications, and media and design.
Globalization in Sport
As sport becomes increasingly global, Falk College students gain international experience through sport-industry focused immersion experiences, global partnerships and cross-cultural engagement.
A multiyear partnership with global esports organization Gen.G enhances Syracuse’s esports communications and management degree program, which is offered in partnership with the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Students can study in South Korea and participate in Gen.G’s Campus Takeover events, hosted at Syracuse’s premier Gaming and Esports Center.
This spring, Falk College students from multiple programs visited Ireland to explore its sports culture. “The visit was packed with insightful talks from some incredible professionals, including athletic trainers, sports physiotherapists and a sports scientist,” says exercise science major Becca Weidemanis ’27, reflecting on the group’s time with Leinster Rugby Club. “The information I learned really solidified my passion for pursuing a career in this field and gave me even more motivation to keep working toward my goals.”
In addition to international programs, many students pursue global health research. Nutrition science major Xuezhu “Stephanie” Hua ’25, for example, studies how fish oil affects obesity.
“I developed a deep passion and appreciation for the complexity and intricacy of human metabolic physiology—and the many avenues through which we can address disease,” she says. “These experiences shaped my path toward studying metabolic diseases and cellular metabolism, fields where my passion aligns with pressing global health challenges.”
With premier academic programs in sport management, sport analytics, exercise science, nutrition and esports communications and management, Falk College is setting a new standard in sport education, career acceleration and game-changing innovation.
The Future of Sport Starts Here
With top-ranked programs, research excellence and industry-driven innovation, Falk College is preparing the next generation of leaders in sport. From the moment they step on campus, Falk College students engage with worldwide sport industry leaders who provide unparalleled insight, knowledge and professional connections that empower them to realize their career goals.
Just as David Falk revolutionized athlete advocacy and global branding, the college that bears his name is breaking new ground in sport education. Through research, real-world experience and global partnerships, students are gaining the tools to lead in an evolving industry.
“I’m excited about the endless opportunities this reimagination offers our students and faculty,” says Dean Jordan. “As we develop new academic programs, create research collaborations and enhance our industry connections, the possibilities for our students to impact the sport world are limitless. This is an incredibly exciting time for Falk College.”
