Former MLB Player Billy Beane Speaks at Miami University’s McVey Data Science Building Grand Opening
Miami University officially opened the McVey Data Science Building on March 14, with a special guest appearance by former Major League Baseball player and Oakland Athletics General Manager Billy Beane. The grand opening event was attended by alumni and students eager to hear Beane speak about his career and the impact of data analytics in sports.
Prior to addressing the crowd, Beane took the time to speak to sports analytics students about the importance of the industry. The event was moderated by Associate Professor Adam Beissel, who highlighted the growing significance of data analytics in society.
During the Q&A session, Beane shared insights into his past career as a player and executive in major league baseball, as well as his thoughts on the future of data analytics in sports. With the industry evolving rapidly, Beane emphasized the need for new skills, stating, “I want the same skills Google wants. I want the same skills Goldman Sachs wants.”
Miami University is at the forefront of preparing students for careers in sports analytics, offering a combined program between the Department of Sports Leadership and Management and the Department of Information Systems and Analytics. With approximately 100 students enrolled in sports analytics programs, Miami is paving the way for the next generation of data scientists in sports.
Beane’s revolutionary “moneyball” approach, which was popularized in the movie “Moneyball,” has forever changed the landscape of sports decision-making. By prioritizing objective data over traditional scouting methods, Beane and the Athletics front office were able to achieve remarkable success on a limited budget.
The ribbon cutting ceremony for the McVey Data Science Building was a momentous occasion, with Beane joined by Miami University President Gregory Crawford and Richard McVey, founder of MarketAxess. The $58 million building is designed to provide students with cutting-edge technology and inspire creativity and innovation in the field of data science.