By Lauryn Luderman

The Sports and Society Initiative is to welcome a pair of new affiliates who will contribute significantly to our mission.

Samantha Bates 

Sam is an alumnus of Ohio State and earned her PhD in social work at the university in 2018. 

Since graduating, Sam has focused on mental health and social work within primary schools, social-emotional learning within sports, equity and positive youth development. 

Sam’s passion for sports started at a young age because of her father’s job as a college football coach, which led her family to move around often.

Sam was involved in youth sports everywhere her family went, and this made her feel welcomed in a new place leading her to see the importance of sports for young kids.

“Sport was consistent everywhere we moved, right, so I would move, and I played soccer,” Sam said. “That was the community, it gave me a sense of belonging.” 

Sports are not accessible in some places but are positive for development and mental health.

Sam has put her passion into action throughout her career as she is part of the Community and Youth Collaborative Institute and the OSU LiFEsports Institute.

Both institutes that Sam is affiliated with work to improve youth sports, provide guidance to school-aged children, allow students to develop relationships and create better social conditions that can influence the lives of young people. 

“This teaches them life and social skills that transfer back to schools and help them be successful,” Sam said. “Both of those placements… are really centered around positive youth development.”

Her expertise lies with the youth and their mental health, and she has been involved in many peer-reviewed publications and several books, and has given over 30 presentations at national conferences regarding the effects of youth sports. 

The group of faculty and the ideas from different groups that have come together to improve the problems that are prominent in sports is a big reason why Sam joined SSI. 

“You don’t want to feel alone in what you’re pursuing,” Sam said. “I know that we’ll be able to solve and address problems better together than if we were just on our own.”

John Draper

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, John Draper is an assistant professor of clinical operations and business analytics but branches his expertise out to various colleges across campus, such as dental, engineering and medical. 

Draper earned his PhD at Ohio State and chose to continue his career at the university because he feels like there is always a new concept to grasp, especially with his involvement in different departments. 

“One of the best parts about this degree, or this field, is I always get to learn something new because I get to work in everything,” Draper said. 

Being a fan is what ultimately led Draper to dive into sports analytics, but he did not care much for sports throughout grade school.

Draper played in both the Florida State University and The Ohio State University Marching Bands, which grew his interest in football. He then realized that two of his biggest interests collide: sports and mathematics. 

“It’s just something you become passionate about, and I really loved it,” Draper said. “Then I started to see connections with what I’m doing for my work.”

Draper teaches eight different courses, is the co-academic director of the specialized masters of business and is part of the American Statistical Association, among other positions. He was excited to be recruited as an affiliate by Ryan Ruddy, who is a member of SSI’s governing board. 

Bringing new people in, spreading the word, and increasing interest from the data side of sports is something that Draper is hopeful to get out of his affiliation with the initiative. 

“To introduce people that aren’t excited, bring them into the conversation,” Draper said. “And they will start seeing the power of this.”