Buena Vista University senior Madalyn Elwood has tackled an extraordinary opportunity in the sports analytics world.
According to a BVU news release, the mathematics major from Bennington, Nebraska was one of just 21 students nationwide selected to participate in the prestigious 2024-2025 NFL Big Data Bowl Mentorship Program. This annual initiative pairs top NFL analytics experts with emerging talent, offering students hands-on experience to prepare for one of the most competitive stages in sports analytics—the NFL’s Big Data Bowl. As part of the program, Elwood worked closely with three mentors from the Dallas Cowboys organization, who shared their expertise in sports analytics and data science. Through monthly virtual meetings over the five-month mentorship, they provided invaluable guidance, helping her hone the skills needed for the Big Data Bowl and her future career in analytics.
In addition to her one-on-one sessions, Elwood participated in monthly group training sessions with all program mentors and mentees. These collaborative events offered insights into the sports industry and the various roles within sports business, expanding her knowledge and network.
Elwood partnered with a fellow mentee who also worked with the same mentors on her project submission to the Big Data Bowl. “The final product was a program that measured space created in running lanes due to tight end motion before the snap of the football,” Elwood describes. “This lane detection program was then used to help evaluate its impact on offensive play success through statistical analysis and logistic regression.”
Elwood credits the mathematics and business programs at BVU for providing her with the skills to be successful in this mentorship program. “My classes prepared me for this opportunity by giving me confidence in my coding and mathematical abilities,” states Elwood. “They taught me how to effectively present and write about results, which was important for my overall submission to the competition.”
“The most valuable and rewarding part of this mentorship experience was working with current sports data professionals. Their advice and suggestions enhanced my knowledge and strengthened my submission, making the entire process incredibly impactful,” states Elwood.
Elwood’s submission for this year’s Big Data Bowl, which received an honorable mention, can be found here.
