The following interview is part of our ongoing Expert Series that asks C-level professionals, team presidents, league executives, athletic directors and other sports influencers about their latest thoughts and insights on new technologies impacting the sports industry.
Name: Jennifer Cohen
Position: Athletic Director
School: University of Washington
Jennifer Cohen was named the University of Washington Athletic Director earlier this summer on June 1. Prior to her new position, the Tacoma, Washington native managed much of the the athletic department’s funding during her 18-year tenure. Cohen played an integral role in spearheading the “Drive for Husky Stadium” campaign, a $50-plus million fundraising effort for the renovation of Husky Stadium in 2013.
Cohen joined the athletic department in 1998 as an assistant director of development before moving to the university’s central development office to focus on fundraising efforts on behalf of the office of undergraduate education. She also spent time with the UW’s regional gifts program before returning to athletics to oversee the department’s major gifts program.
Cohen received her undergraduate degree from San Diego State University in 1991 and a master’s degree in physical education with an emphasis in sports administration from Pacific Lutheran University in 1994. Her professional experience includes a variety of roles in intercollegiate athletics administration at Pacific Lutheran, the University of Puget Sound and Texas Tech University.
1) What utilization of technology in sports has recently blown you away and why?
The student-athlete experience is at the core of everything we do, so I am always particularly interested in technological developments that enhance our student-athletes’ experience. Fortunately, there have been several of those developments recently, aiming at helping to maintain safety, prevent injury or contribute to more efficient fitness for our student-athletes. The Pac-12 conference mandated a conference-wide adoption of the Medical Instant Replay model (via DV Sport) to allow a review of game footage in real-time to assess and implement concussion protocol. We are also very privileged to work with VICIS, a local Seattle company who is working to develop a safer football helmet.
2) If you had to invest in one technology that would change the college athletics landscape, what would it be and why?
High Density Wi-Fi within venues. There are so many benefits, including greater connection to our fans both individually and as a collective fanbase.
3) If money were no object, what technology would you build or buy to help you do your job better?
A central system around data gathering and reporting would help our department stay in much better touch with our fans. Here at the University of Washington, we are fortunate to have a very large fanbase, and being located in Seattle, our fans carry a high appreciation for emerging tech. Finding mechanisms to further engage and serve our fans digitally would help us on a number of important fronts.
Get The Latest Sports Tech News In Your Inbox!
4) As a sports fan, what sports-related service, app, product, etc., could you not live without and why?
Twitter! I love keeping tabs on everything our teams are doing, and with 22 sports programs here at UW, it’s great to have a centralized source for up-to-date information.
5) If you had to project 20 years into the future, how will most fans watch their favorite sports teams?
With the help of our Chief Information Officer, Erik Jones, we are asking ourselves very similar questions to ensure that we stay ahead of the curve. Virtual reality development is something that has been particularly intriguing to our staff. I believe the in-venue experience will continue to evolve, and fans will also enjoy some new and creative ways to follow their favorite teams visiting other venues.
6) Give us your bold prediction about a form of technology that will be integral to college athletics over the next 12 months and why?
This may not be so bold of a prediction, but I believe our industry is beginning to wrap arms around managing big data in better ways. I believe robust CRM tools allowing for deeper connection with fans will become standard and essential.