Sports and AI

While artificial intelligence (AI) has been in existence for the past few decades, the ability of everyone to harness its capabilities was highlighted with the introduction of ChatGPT last November. Everything from research articles to news scripts can now be automated within seconds using AI. While the information that AI still needs to be vetted, the ability to reduce hours of work into mere minutes will have tremendous impacts in all industries, including sports. For example, AI has the ability to make managerial decisions during games based on statistical values, situational awareness, player availability, and game flows.Sports and AI Additionally, game recaps can now be completed with just a prompt, saving money and time for news publications.

For fun, we asked ChatGPT to ‘give me a history of Trine University athletics’, here was the response:

Trine University, located in Angola, Indiana, has a rich history of athletics dating back to its founding in 1884. The university has evolved from a small teacher training institution into a thriving liberal arts university with a strong emphasis on athletics. Here is a brief history of Trine University athletics:

  1. Early Years: Trine University, originally known as Tri-State Normal College, was established in 1884. Athletics were an integral part of the college from the beginning, with sports like baseball and basketball being played by students and local teams.
  2. Expansion of Sports: In the early 20th century, the university expanded its athletic offerings to include football, track and field, and other sports. These teams often played against local and regional opponents.
  3. Renaming to Trine University: In 2008, the university officially changed its name from Tri-State University to Trine University. This change reflected its growing academic and athletic reputation.
  4. NCAA Division III: Trine University's athletic programs compete at the NCAA Division III level. This division emphasizes the overall college experience and places less emphasis on athletics than higher divisions.
  5. Conference Affiliation: Trine University is a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), a conference that includes several other small, private colleges in the region. The MIAA sponsors various sports, including football, basketball, soccer, and more.
  6. Athletic Success: Trine University's athletic teams have had success in various sports over the years. The university's Thunder football team has been a consistent contender in the MIAA, and other sports programs have also achieved success on both regional and national levels.
  7. Facilities: Trine University has invested in modern athletic facilities to support its sports programs. These facilities include the Keith E. Busse/Steel Dynamics Athletic and Recreation Center (ARC), a state-of-the-art facility that houses multiple gymnasiums, an indoor track, and other amenities.
  8. Women's Sports: Trine University has also been committed to women's athletics and offers a range of sports programs for female student-athletes. These programs have achieved notable success in various sports.
  9. Community Engagement: Trine University athletics is not just about competition but also about community engagement. The university encourages student-athletes to be active in community service and outreach programs, fostering a sense of responsibility and giving back to the community.
  10. Ongoing Development: Trine University continues to invest in its athletic programs and facilities, ensuring that student-athletes have the resources they need to excel both academically and athletically.

Throughout its history, Trine University athletics has been a source of pride for the institution and a way for students to develop leadership, teamwork, and discipline while pursuing their passion for sports. The university's commitment to balancing academics and athletics has contributed to its overall success in the field of higher education.

The response took fifteen seconds and gives a nice overview of the history of Trine Athletics. Apparently, the last update was in September 2021 so not including the women’s softball team national championship was a glaring omission, but the ease of use can be a huge help for positions such as the Sports Information Director. Expect to see a lot more use of AI in sports going forward.

Brandon Podgorski is an Associate Professor of Sport Management at Trine University and the Director of the Trine Center for Sports Studies.