Michael Schuckers

Education:  Ph.D. in Statistics, Iowa State University; M.A. in Statistics, University of Michigan

Classes Taught: DTSC 2301/2302 – Modeling and Society

Bio: Dr. Michael Schuckers is a leading figure in sports data science, recently appointed as a professor at UNC Charlotte’s School of Data Science. With a prolific career, he has authored numerous papers focusing on data analysis in sports, notably in ice hockey. His impact extends beyond academia, as eight of his former students from St. Lawrence University have contributed to analytics in professional sports. Recognized as a Significant Contributor by the American Statistical Association’s Section on Statistics in Sports, Dr. Schuckers is also noted for his pioneering work in statistical methodologies for bio-authentication technologies such as facial recognition and fingerprint readers. His research as a Fulbright Scholar at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in 2013 further underscores his range as an applied data scientist. Throughout his career, Dr. Schuckers has secured significant research funding from institutions including the National Science Foundation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and the Center for Identification Technology Research.  Before joining UNC Charlotte, Dr. Schuckers held the Charles A. Dana Professor of Statistics position at St. Lawrence University. He has consulted for MLB and NHL teams, is the Co-founder of Statistical Sports Consulting, LLC, and continues to advance data-driven decision-making in sports through innovative research and academic leadership.