A veteran of more than 25 years in the technology industry, Diane Bloodworth has in-depth experience in analytics, software development, IT operations and process improvement.
In 2010 she founded Competitive Sports Analysis, a provider of predictive sports analytics. Through predictive analytics, CSA makes college athlete recruiting more efficient and effective. CSA’s scoutSMART product uses a patented algorithm merging quantitative and subjective data points to develop a customized fitSCORE based on the team’s preferences and style of play.
CSA collaborates with the PIERCE Plan, the first online platform for high school systems to track NCAA academic requirements in real time.
“Navigating the maze of academic eligibility requirements can be a nightmare, paper intensive and highly inefficient,” she says. “Now high school student-athletes, parents, counselors and athletic directors log in to a dashboard to receive alerts and access relevant academic information pertaining to eligibility in real time.”
College scouts can access verified transcripts and test scores with the click of a button.
Until recently CSA worked only in football, though Bloodworth expects to soon expand into men’s and women’s basketball. Leading college coaches are increasingly aware of the need for analytics in evaluating the whole student-athlete. No longer are size and speed the only essential criteria. With this in mind, CSA offers data on student academics as well as subjective evaluations so coaches can make informed decisions.
“I am delighted the Terry College is making such bold advancements in business analytics curriculum at both the undergrad and postgraduate levels,” she says. “Students who advance in the field will enjoy extremely rewarding careers.”