Sports Analytics Intelligence Lab (SAIL)

Advancing Sports Analytics Through Data Science and Research

SAIL Team at Work

Mission Statement

The Sports Analytics Intelligence Lab (SAIL) is a research group in the Department of Statistics and Operations Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill dedicated to using statistics to better understand sports. Bringing together faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students across several disciplines, SAIL supports the University’s athletics programs through collaborative projects, advances the field through independent scholarly research, and shares sports analytics knowledge with the broader university community through guest speakers and technical workshops. Data is transforming the way that teams, athletes, and fans think about sports. SAIL is committed to helping shape what comes next.

Key Principles
  • Data-Driven Insights: Transform raw data into actionable intelligence
  • Confidentiality: Private consulting ensures your discoveries remain secure
  • Collaboration: Partner with UNC athletic programs for mutual success
  • Innovation: Apply cutting-edge analytics to solve real-world sports challenges

History of SAIL

The idea for SAIL was conceived in Fall 2022 when Conor Kerr, advised by Dr. Mario Giacomazzo of the STOR Department, had been working on sports analytics projects with UNC Men’s and Women’s Basketball for two years. As the work demand increased, the need to expand became clear.

From December 2022 to January 2023, the first SAIL applications were received, and 52 well-deserving undergraduates applied to be Undergraduate Sports Analysts (USAs). With the help of Andrew Ackerman, a PhD student in the STOR department, we selected 5 students to be the first team of USAs.

Founding members of SAIL from left to right: Jacob Thoma, Max Sleek, Lewis Dubrowski (top), Sarah Wooster, Conor Kerr, Abigail Mabe (bottom)
Our Growth

Since our founding, SAIL has grown significantly, now supporting multiple athletic programs and conducting research across various sports disciplines.

What We Do

  • Performance Metrics: Develop comprehensive performance evaluation systems
  • Predictive Modeling: Create models to forecast game outcomes and player performance
  • Statistical Analysis: Apply advanced statistical methods to sports data
  • Methodology Innovation: Develop new analytical approaches for sports data
  • Tool Development: Create custom software and tools for data analysis
  • Academic Research: Contribute to the broader sports analytics community
  • Private Consulting: Confidential analysis for UNC athletic programs
  • Strategic Planning: Help coaches and staff make data-driven decisions
  • Performance Optimization: Identify areas for improvement and optimization

Our Expertise

  • Shot analysis and optimization
  • Player efficiency metrics
  • Game strategy insights
  • Performance tracking
  • Football performance metrics
  • Baseball statistical modeling
  • Volleyball analytics
  • Track and field optimization
  • Machine learning applications
  • Predictive modeling
  • Data visualization
  • Real-time analytics

Contacting SAIL

If you are a member of the UNC community and would like SAIL’s help with data collection, data analysis, or sports analytics research, we’re here to support you.

Get Started
  1. Email Mario () with summary of project or idea
  2. Review and discussion of your project with our team
  3. Quick response to set up an initial meeting
  4. Customized plan tailored to your specific needs

Our partnerships can be short-term or long-term depending on your needs and our availability. We’re committed to providing the analytical support you need to achieve your goals.

Why Choose SAIL?
  • UNC Expertise: Deep understanding of UNC’s athletic programs
  • Academic Rigor: Research-backed methodologies and approaches
  • Confidentiality: Your data and insights remain private
  • Innovation: Cutting-edge analytics and technology