UK summit to explore technology’s impact on future of sports

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 24, 2025) — Register now for the Future of Sport Institute’s (FoSI) Sports Tech Summit, taking place Monday, March 3, at the University of Kentucky. The summit, sponsored by Commonwealth Causes, is a joint effort between the UK College of Education and College of Design. The College of Communication and Information and Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering also serve as key partners.
The summit’s theme, “Sports Tech: Innovating for Performance and Experience,” will explore the transformative role of technology in shaping the future of sports, with panelists including:
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Mikel Thomas, three-time Olympian, entrepreneur and leader in sports technology and athlete development, as keynote speaker
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Wilson Smith, Nike Footwear, design director
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Greg Gorham, UK Athletics, senior director, sports video and live production
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Michelle Knezovic, JMI Sports, producer, digital media
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Chris Morris, UK Athletics, director of performance science
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Nigel McCarthy, Lexington Sporting Club, men’s head of high performance
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Nate Thompson, HTX Sports Tech, co-founder
UK Future of Sport Institute Director Kwame Agyemang, Ph.D., said insights shared during the summit will highlight how emerging technologies are revolutionizing the way sports are played, experienced and consumed.
“The summit will enable participants to prepare to lead in sports-related fields in response to innovations taking place now and into the future,” said Agyemang, the George and Betty Blanda Endowed Professor in Sport Leadership in the UK College of Education Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion.
The summit will also feature a product showcase and product test experience with the following featured speakers:
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Brittany Harris, RaveOn Sports, co-founder and chief marketing officer
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Ashley Jenkins, BetterGuard, pro-teams and partnerships U.S.
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Jeff Klosterman, XO Armor Technologies, vice president of business development
UK College of Design Associate Professor Jonathan Mills, chair of the Department of Product Design, said the opportunity for students to hear from speakers, see and test products and get exposure to wider issues in the sport industry can help them launch careers in sports product design.
“Several of our students are already looking specifically at sports-related products and want to go into this area of design, while others may not realize how many opportunities there are in the sports world to utilize their design skills,” Mills said. “This is a chance to broaden their scope and explore those possibilities.”
Nelson Akafuah, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Fujio Cho Department of Engineering Technology in the Pigman College of Engineering, underscored the pivotal role technology plays in revolutionizing the future of sports.
“This innovative, cross-disciplinary approach empowers our students to delve into the intricacies of both product design and process design,” Akafuah said. “By emphasizing the manufacturing of these products through the prism of operational excellence, students are equipped to harness cutting-edge technologies that enhance performance and safety.”
The summit will take place in the David Biagi Forum of the Gray Design Building, located at 349 Scott St. Registration is free for UK students and $25 for all other participants.
The Future of Sport Institute is a unique hub bringing together academics, students, industry leaders, and brands to shape the future of sport and society. The institute is dedicated to empowering sport industry stakeholders’ ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-changing technological world through innovative research, education, collaborations and community partnerships.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.