Countdown to Commencement 2025: Makena Evans

The next student featured in our “Countdown to Commencement” series is Makena Evans, a physics major, who was nominated by Bob Enck, physics professor and sports science coordinator of the Sports Science Research Team.

Evans discovered St. John Fisher University through a family friend’s recommendation, and her visit to the campus marked not only her first time on campus, but her first time in Rochester. She was impressed by several aspects of Fisher, including the small class sizes and the welcoming atmosphere of the campus.

Evans’ résumé at Fisher stands out. She has had a significant impact on Fisher, specifically in the Athletics Department, with her impressive work in data analytics. One of her most notable accomplishments is the creation of a data dashboard, which has transformed how the University's coaches make training and workload decisions. Additionally, Evans created a dashboard dedicated to fatigue tracking that has become a popular tool among coaches. Her regular presentations in the department keep coaches and athletes informed while demonstrating the tremendous potential of data analytics. Her ongoing efforts to improve and adjust these dashboards to meet changing needs demonstrate her dedication and adaptability, and have made a substantial impact on how coaches use data for training and practice planning.

After being promoted to assistant sports science coordinator alongside Enck, he emphasizes that Evans has played an important role in organizing and mentoring the Sports Science Research Team at Fisher.

“Her abilities, leadership skills, and commitment to excellence have been essential in organizing and guiding the Sports Science Research Team, teaching students data analytics, and applying research results to build a cohesive and knowledgeable team. Her efforts have fostered a collaborative environment that empowers her peers to excel. Her strength in this role has allowed me to focus on other items that will help the research team grow,” he said.

Evans has acquired a reputation in the sports science data analytics industry for her remarkable coding abilities and the development of powerful data dashboards for coaches. Her unique work has drawn attention outside of Fisher, with universities from throughout the United States expressing interest in collaborating due to the high quality of her contributions. After graduation, Evans hopes to work in AI data consultancy and build her own firm, using data analytics tools, force plates, and other physical products.