Sports Analytics Research Lab

Applications Are Open

The Sports Analytics Research Lab offers University of Pennsylvania students an academic research experience at the intersection of statistics, sports, and applied analytics. The lab is open to rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students.

Sponsored by Wharton Sports Analytics and Business Initiative (WSABI) and led by Adi Wyner, Professor of Statistics and WSABI faculty co-director, along Jonathan Pipping, WSABI doctoral student.

Participants will enhance their analytical and research skills while learning:

  • how to be applied statisticians,
  • how to teach in new and engaging ways while meeting sports analytics leaders, making new connections, and having fun!

This 9-week program, running from June 1–July 29, 2026, includes two distinct areas of engagement:

Five weeks of paid, hands-on research & learning in advanced statistics, exploring real sports data sets to solve real problems
Four weeks of paid work experience as a teaching assistant for Moneyball Academy and Moneyball Academy: Training Camp
Apply Now

Apply by February 27 for priority consideration. The final application deadline is March 30.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Currently enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania. University of Pennsylvania graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to apply.
  • Must have strong passion for sports or a genuine interest in sports
  • Must be able to commit fully to the lab for the duration of the program; participants may not hold another job or enroll in academic courses while participating in the lab
  • Interest in sports analytics and intellectual curiosity to examine sports analytics at a research level
  • Interest in working with high school students in their research
  • Interest in teaching and mentoring high school students for WSABI high school programs
  • Strong background in statistics, two semesters (minimum) of classes in statistics or related fields:
    • one course in Python or R preferred
    • have taken or currently taking STAT 4300, or its equivalent

*DATES

June 1  – July 29, 2026

RESEARCH PROJECT

Students will commence a research project aimed for publication that will be completed during their remaining time at the University of Pennsylvania. Applicants must be enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania for the fall 2026 semester to complete the project.

A Day in the Life with Zeke Kelz, SEAS ’24

WSABI tagged along with Zeke Kelz, SEAS’24, to highlight his summer experience with the 2023 inaugural lab. 

Preparing the Next Generation of Analysts

Sofia Boubsis, W’27, and Justin Hughes, W’26, students at the Wharton School, share their experiences with the 2024 lab.