Implementation and Evaluation
Roundball Unplugged: The Launch of Basketball's Elam Ending
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Nick Elam
The Basketball Tournament (TBT), a $2-million-winner-take-all annual event broadcast on ESPN, adopted the hybrid duration format (where most of each game is played with a game clock, and where the final portion of each game is played without a game clock) for preliminary-round games in 2017. The format (which TBT renamed the “Elam Ending” in recognition of its originator, Nick Elam) is designed primarily to preserve a more natural style of play through the end of every game (specifically, by eliminating/reducing various late-game clock-manipulating phenomena, including deliberate fouling by trailing defenses, stalling by leading offenses, rushed/sloppy possessions by trailing offenses, etc.), to provide greater hope for late comebacks, and to provide more memorable game-ending moments. This paper offers an in-depth analysis of the Elam Ending’s debut, including quantitative descriptive data and qualitative feedback from all TBT games where the format was used. Data reveals the extent to which the format meets its primary and secondary aims, and teams’ use of new strategies unique to the format. Topics also include the production and logistics associated with TBT/ESPN’s implementation of this new format, and initial impressions from TBT organizers, players, coaches, referees, broadcasters, other basketball media members, and fans (in person, on Twitter, and on discussion boards). This presentation provides a range of information valuable to any league/event considering implementation of the Elam Ending, and relates more broadly to the management of any sporting event where experimental rules are used.
Enhancing the Tennis Ranking System: Increasing Fair-play Competition, Fan Participation, and Sponsorship Acquisition
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Dionysios Kakaroumpas
Athletes and spectators depend on the tennis ranking system to represent the truest caliber of athletic performance; without trust, the integrity of the game is lost and uncertainty thrives. We see the most obvious signs of derailment in the current system with players placements being inaccurately represented and being rewarded during times of infrequent participation. Therefore, the only solution is an upgraded version that diminishes this perceived trust gap by placing more value on participation. Our approach involves performing week-by-week case studies of top players using the current formula and our proposed change, the results of which reveals ranking inflation. The newly enhanced version is accompanied by a web-based software package to automatically calculate adjusted player rankings based on a responsive, multi-faceted formula that also generates projected point scenarios and provides separate rankings for the three court surfaces. In short, it recognizes and counters the following concerns: mistrust in the system, competition equality, fan engagement, and tennis involvement worldwide. Based on the aforementioned issues we developed a system where: Points are deducted from players who abstain from the tour or have a losing streak for a prolonged period Extra points are awarded for consecutive tournament wins within a specified time frame. Points are awarded for multiple high level tournament wins in a single season. Surface rankings are calculated to supplement an overall ranking V. A scenario simulator to help fans better follow the sport and motivate athletes to play harder and achieve higher goals.
Student Attendance at Collegiate Sporting Events
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Stephen Sharbaugh
College athletics is one of the most powerful forces on college campus. Many students either participate, work, or have friends in these events, which brings the assumption that student attendance at these events would be a high percentage. But contrary to that belief, overall student attendance at athletic events, across the country, has dropped by 7.1% from 2009 to 2014 and that trend has continued (Axon 2015). In this research, the motivations involved in students attending collegiate sport events will be examined. Stetson University will be used as a case study by collecting data from Stetson students on their attendance preferences and their reasoning. As Stetson is a small Division 1 school where athletic events, except for football, are free to attend, these findings can only apply to other smaller Division 1 schools of similar composition to Stetson. Many studies examine specific sports such as football and basketball, but this research attempts to take a more holistic view and study collegiate sporting events under one umbrella. The satisfaction of watching the sport, team success, marketing promotions, familiarity with athletes, competition level, and convenience as factors that are related to student’s likelihood of attending collegiate sporting events will be studied. Through this research, Stetson and other smaller Division 1, 2, or 3 schools can attain a better knowledge of the motivations and preferences of students, with respect to collegiate athletic events, to increase student attendance.
