Suds Gopaladesikan '14

I am currently the Technical Director for Newcastle United, an English team competing in the Premier League. My role is similar to an AGM role in an American sports organization. I use statistical models daily to help our high-performance team focus on "expected value" rather than the black-and-white terms of winning or losing. Before joining Newcastle, I worked with teams in Italy and Portugal.

Beyond my passion for soccer, I enjoy the challenge of bringing 'Moneyball' style thinking to Europe, especially given the cultural differences in decision-making. While I'm not an expert, this challenge allows me to appreciate the blend of my Swarthmore math degree and a liberal arts approach to teaching and learning. I've recently joined Swarthmore's Alumni Council, focusing on connecting the College with its international students and alumni.

Feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to chat with Swarthmore students about data analytics and share travel tips.