Applied Sport Science Analytics Advisory Board Members
James Collins, MS
Sport Scientist | Director of Sports Performance | Special Markets Account Manager Hawkins Dynamics
James Collins is an experienced high-performance coach, sports scientist, and educator with over a decade of hands-on experience in professional sports, particularly Major League Soccer (MLS). He has held senior leadership roles including Director of Sports Performance and Head Performance Coach at the New England Revolution, and Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Minnesota United FC. In these roles, James led comprehensive performance programs integrating strength and conditioning, sports technology, data analytics, injury risk mitigation, and athlete monitoring systems.
His practical experience extends to organizations such as Sporting Kansas City, where he oversaw the performance strategy for the 2nd team and academy, and Northeastern University and Springfield College, where he worked with NCAA varsity athletes. These roles have cemented his reputation for applying science in real-world high-performance environments, balancing the demands of elite competition with evidence-based practice.
James is currently Market Manager - Soccer at Hawkin Dynamics, where he leads global strategy and product development for performance technologies in elite soccer. He also lectures in Exercise Science at Lasell University, further bridging the gap between academic research and professional sport.
He is completing a PhD in Sports Science at Technological University Dublin, with a research focus on multi-metric models and training load monitoring in elite soccer. His published and ongoing research explores the relationship between external load, neuromuscular performance, and player availability in high-performance environments. James regularly presents at international conferences, including the World Congress on Science in Soccer and the European College of Sport Science and National Strength and Conditioning Association conferences.
Dr. Michael S. Czahor, PhD
Sports Analytics Expert | Data Science Educator | Founder, Athlyticz
Dr. Michael S. Czahor is a leading voice in sports analytics, known for uniting advanced modeling, practical decision-making, and innovative education. From 2018 to 2025, he held senior research and development roles across three Major League Baseball organizations: the Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, and Miami Marlins where he built and deployed probabilistic forecasting systems for player performance, injury risk, and long-term value. Beyond modeling, Dr. Czahor specialized in prototyping and delivering interactive applications that translated analytical outputs into actionable tools for coaches, scouts, and executives. His work consistently emphasized data storytelling, visualization, and cross-departmental alignment, helping bridge the gap between research, player development, and front-office strategy.
As the Founder of Athlyticz, Dr. Czahor has extended that same integration of rigor and usability to education. Athlyticz is a global data-science learning platform that trains students and professionals from over 15 countries in applied analytics through real-world sports case studies. Under his leadership, Athlyticz has assembled a world-class instructor network spanning R and Python, machine learning, AI/LLM workflows, Bayesian modeling in Stan, Shiny app and dashboard development, and sports performance analytics.
Dr. Czahor co-designed the platform’s interactive curricula and leads product, engineering, and content strategy. He oversaw multiple software teams responsible for Athlyticz’s headless LMS architecture, built on a React front end with GCP-hosted virtual machines enabling live coding directly in the browser. The platform’s cloud-based Dev/Staging/Production environments and integrated analytics pipeline reflect his technical leadership and commitment to scalable, modern learning design.
A decorated educator and award-winning instructor, Dr. Czahor continues to mentor the next generation of analysts and data scientists, connecting statistical theory, storytelling, and high-impact application.
Selected Specializations:
Bayesian Modeling • Probabilistic Simulation • Hierarchical Forecasting • Sports Biomechanics • Data Visualization & Storytelling • Player Projection Systems • AI/LLM Workflows • Shiny App Development • Cloud Architecture for Education • Teaching & Curriculum Design
Joshua Eaton
Technical Consultant | Data Scientist | Retired Green Beret
Dr. Joshua Eaton is an Assistant Professor at multiple colleges and a technical consultant for the Department of Defense and industry partners. He specializes in Test and Evaluation (T&E), data analytics, protocol development, and Systems Engineering. He holds a B.S. in Systems Engineering and International Relations from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, an M.S. in Engineering and Management from MIT, and a Ph.D. in Data Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). A former U.S. Army Special Forces Officer (Green Beret) with over 20 years of global leadership in operations and strategy.
Blair Lloyd MS, MSEd, CSCS
Director of Training, Pure Performance Training
Blair Lloyd joins Lasell University's advisory board for the MS in Applied Sport Science Analytics program, bringing a blend of hands-on coaching experience, data-informed decision-making, and a commitment to educating the next generation of sport science professionals.
As the Director of Training at Pure Performance Training, Blair leads initiatives that integrate sport technology into the athlete development process. She has implemented a performance decision-making framework that leverages key metrics from Timing Gates, Force Plates, and Linear Positional Transducers to inform program design, enhance training outcomes, and ensure measurable progress for athletes.
Prior to her current role, Blair served as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Northeastern University, where she also held responsibility for intern development. Her focus was on equipping interns with practical skills in applying performance technologies within collegiate athletics. Through mentorship and structured education, she emphasized how to use data to make sound coaching decisions rooted in athlete performance.
Blair's foundation in evidence-based training was shaped during her graduate studies at the University of Miami, where she had the privilege of being mentored by Dr. Bryan Mann. Together, they conducted performance testing to determine individualized training interventions, deepening her understanding of the relationship between data and performance outcomes.
Blair is excited to contribute her applied expertise to the advisory board, supporting Lasell's mission to prepare sport science professionals to lead with both analytical insight and real-world experience.
Alahna Mild, MS, PES, CES
Product Support Technician, Catapult Sports
Alahna is a 2022 and 2023 graduate of Lasell University, holding a Master’s degree in Applied Sports Sciences and Data Analytics, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a Minor in Psychology. She is passionate about helping athletes not only meet but exceed their performance goals. With a strong foundation in exercise science and data analytics, Alahna leverages her skills to optimize athletic performance through data-driven insights.
Her aspiration is to become an integral part of the sports science field, applying innovative strategies to help athletes reach their full potential. In addition to her academic and professional experience, Alahna is a dedicated, action-oriented learner with excellent interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving abilities. She thrives in collaborative environments and demonstrates strong time management skills, consistently meeting deadlines while maintaining effective communication.
Adaptable and self-confident, Alahna works well with diverse teams across various settings, always focused on achieving meaningful results. She also has experience analyzing performance metrics and translating complex data into actionable insights for athletes, coaches, and teams.
Currently, Alahna is a Product Support Technician at Catapult Sports, where they specialize in delivering technical assistance and product expertise to elite sports teams. With a strong focus on performance technology, Alahna ensures clients get the most out of Catapult’s cutting-edge solutions.
Robert Tagle, MS, ATC, CSCS
Head Athletic Trainer, Providence Bruins
Rob has worked for the Boston Bruin’s organization since 2018, and currently entering his 5th season as Head Athletic Trainer with the Bruin’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Providence, Rhode Island. In his current role he oversees all medical care for players and prospects in the organization, while working alongside a multidisciplinary team of physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapist and performance coaches.
Prior to Providence, Rob has had other stops in professional hockey that include the ECHL and WHL.
