ETSU pioneers new sports technology

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -

It seems GPS tracking technology is finding it's way into just about everything.

Up next in the sports arena is a cell-phone size device has the potential to drastically change team sports.

"The device is fairly new to United States," says Howard Gray, an ETSU PhD. student, "but it's well-known across the world."

It tracks a player's every move and sends the data back to the sidelines 10 times per second. "There are other gizmos in there that look at hits and landings," says Gray.

The device fits in a pouch that a player wears on their back and constantly sends data back to the sidelines. From a sideline computer, coaches can instantly see the demands of the game on players. "It can look to an individual if some do too much, over training leads to injury," says Gray.

Now all students in ETSU's sport sciences program, especially the graduate students, will learn how to use the system.

But more importantly they will learn to analyze the information. "The best way to learn is hands on experience, be able to have that and athletes to work with is the best way to learn," says sports sciences student Ryan Alexander.

ETSU received the system through a training program with the manufacturer and was partially selected because an ETSU graduate now works for the developer. It's the only university with the device as a regular part of the curriculum.

Students say as the technology becomes more widespread, they feel good about their job prospects. "The system has moved to professional teams, hopefully we get our degrees, be utilized by these programs," says Alexander.

University officials say they hope it will help ETSU be selected as an Olympic training site for more sports.