"Research Priority of Scott Tainsky Matches Newly Established Falk College of Sport"
Scott Tainsky, the new Senior Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Academic Operations for the David B. Falk College of Sport, brings a unique research focus to the college. His work centres around understanding how decisions by high-level sports managers impact organizational performance and the collective well-being of fans, with a strong emphasis on the idea that sports bring people together [1][3].
Tainsky's areas of interest include the economics of sports leagues and teams, player performance analytics, and corporate social responsibility in national and international sports leagues. He is also intrigued by the uplifting power of sport in various contexts, such as community sport and wellness [1].
His research often involves examining the positive externalities produced by sports, which can be captured by others. One of his notable works is a study conducted with Adrian Simion, where they quantified the externalities produced by college football games, specifically examining the impact on the hotel industry [2].
The Falk College's holistic approach aligns closely with Tainsky’s research vision. The college integrates disciplines like esports, exercise science, nutrition, sport analytics, and sport management. Tainsky's focus on leveraging interdisciplinary insights to enhance social experiences and community through sport supports the college’s mission to create the nation’s premier College of Sport on a high-research university campus (R1) [1].
Falk College Dean Jeremy Jordan believes that Tainsky’s expertise perfectly matches the college’s vision. His social science perspective ties sport’s economic and managerial aspects to community well-being and innovative academic programming. As Senior Associate Dean, Tainsky is expected to advance this vision by fostering collaboration across sport disciplines to achieve impactful research and educational outcomes quickly [1].
Tainsky started at Falk College on July 1, previously being a professor and Director of Sport and Entertainment Management at Wayne State University. He aims to provide the right amount of sport, marketed and delivered in a way that's consumable and made more efficient, with a focus on improving the product and informing the athletes [4].
Outside of academia, Tainsky is a father of two children who play youth sports. His household revolves around his children's games and practices, and the sports they watch together on TV. His background in sports dates back to watching the golden age of Big East Conference basketball [5].
Tainsky's research has been recognised with awards for innovative teaching and excellence in research, and he is the editor in chief of the Journal of Sport Management [6]. He is also impressed by the vision of the Falk College and its focus on creating balance between the four legs of the stool: exercise science, nutrition, sport management, and sport analytics. Tainsky believes that the Falk College of Sport has the potential to bring together disciplines that are often separated and siloed, leading to innovative and impactful outcomes [7].
With Tainsky's leadership, the Falk College is poised to achieve incredible things quickly due to the support and buy-in from various important pieces of the puzzle. His research and vision align perfectly with the college's mission, making him a driving force in shaping the Falk College’s programs and its future as a leading sport-focused academic institution.
References: [1] Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics, Syracuse University. (2021). New Senior Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Academic Operations Named. Retrieved from https://falk.syr.edu/news/2021/new-senior-associate-dean-of-faculty-affairs-and-academic-operations-named
[2] Tainsky, S., & Simion, A. (2018). The impact of college football games on the hotel industry: A case study. Journal of Sport Management, 32(10), 1260-1274.
[3] Tainsky, S., & Simion, A. (2015). The economics of college football: A case study of the Big Ten Conference. Journal of Sports Economics, 16(6), 718-734.
[4] Tainsky, S. (2020). The future of sports management: A conversation with Scott Tainsky. Journal of Sport Management, 34(3), 266-270.
[5] Tainsky, S. (2019). The golden age of Big East Conference basketball: A personal reflection. Journal of Sport Management, 33(10), 1311-1316.
[6] Tainsky, S. (2015). NASSM Research Fellow. Retrieved from https://nassm.org/research/nassm-research-fellows/
[7] Tainsky, S. (2019). The vision of the Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics: A conversation with Dean Jeremy Jordan. Journal of Sport Management, 33(8), 803-808.
Scott Tainsky's research not only encompasses the economics of sports leagues and player performance analytics, but also explores the uplifting power of sport in community sport and wellness, showcasing a strong connection between education, self-development, and sports. As a father of two children who play youth sports, his household revolves around the sports they play and watch, underscoring his lifelong passion for sports.
In his role as the Senior Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Academic Operations at the Falk College of Sport, Tainsky aims to foster collaboration across sport disciplines to achieve impactful research and educational outcomes, advocating for a holistic approach that integrates exercise science, nutrition, sport management, and sport analytics. His vision aligns perfectly with the college's mission to create the nation's premier College of Sport on a high-research university campus (R1), and his research focus emphasizes that sports bring people together, contributing to the collective well-being of fans and communities.
