Retention

East Tennessee State Targets Student-Athletes With New Engagement Tool

Evolution Labs' SA360 platform will deliver information via multiple devices tailored for the specific needs of individual student-athletes on the ETSU campus.

• By Michael Hart
• 08/15/16

East Tennessee State University will begin using a digital engagement tool accessible across multiple devices specifically targeting the student-athletes on its NCAA teams.

Evolution Labs has recently begun marketing SA360, intended to give student-athletes mobile and web-based content on topics that range from mental health and NCAA compliance requirements to information on diet and nutrition and academic skills. The tools and content, customized specifically for student athletes at the university in Johnson City, TN, will help coaches and staff better support players on the 11 men's and women's Buccaneer teams throughout the athletic season and academic year.

With software the company calls its Dynamic Discovery Engine, the technology applies algorithms to allow ETSU coaches to deploy information that's most relevant to each individual user based on personal and academic attributes, such as year in school, gender, career interests and sport.

"SA360 uses smart technology to deliver content in a manner that's more compelling and convenient to student athletes, while enabling the athletic department to provide timely support and advice throughout the academic year," said ETSU Director of Athletics Richard Sander. "SA360 can help student-athletes, whether they're on campus or traveling to an away game."

The content foundation is a proprietary library of articles, videos, learning immersion modules and self-assessment surveys that benefit student-athletes in four pivotal areas of development: student, self, athlete and citizen. The SA360 content library includes more than 100 topics that will be custom-curated by the ETSU athletic department.

Topics include:

• Sexual misconduct and Title IX awareness and education;
• Bullying and hazing;
• Mental health;
• Alcohol and drug (including prescription drug) use;
• Time management;
• Study skills;
• Eligibility requirements;
• Sportsmanship and leadership;
• Fan relationships; and
• Career exploration.

The SA360 platform, launched earlier this year, is already being used by athletic departments at Louisiana State University, Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Maryland.