PlayerData has always believed that the people who best understand sports performance technology are the ones who've lived it. Ethan Barr is a perfect example. A standout football player at Vanderbilt University and the University of Central Florida, Ethan spent his college career competing at the highest level of the game, and GPS data was part of what kept him on the field to do it. Now he's on the other side of that equation, bringing the same technology to coaches and programs who need it most.
We sat down with Ethan to learn what drew him to PlayerData, what drives him in his new role, and, most importantly, what bold predictions he's willing to put on record.
What was it about PlayerData that piqued your interest?
I found PlayerData interesting, because it felt like a company that was genuinely evolving and challenging what already existed in the market. I like how accessible and user-friendly the product is. I was looking to work in athletics in some capacity, and this just seemed like the perfect fit. Once I began meeting everyone at PlayerData, I knew it was a company I wanted to be a part of.
What excites you most about joining the PlayerData team?
What excites me most is bringing a great product to people who need it and can truly benefit from it. Used correctly, PlayerData has a huge impact on athletes at every level which is why I connect so deeply with what we're doing here.
Did you use data as a player? If so, how? What effect did it have on you?
I used it as a player, and it played a huge part in helping me stay healthy. My coaches used the data to either pull back my practice load or make sure I was hitting top speeds during the week. I played in all 57 of my college games, and I credit a lot of that availability to what GPS data provided for my coaches.
What do you like most about working in sports?
I love that I can give back to the community that helped build me. Sports have had a huge impact on my life, and I wanted to stay in the industry in some capacity so I could return the favor to athletes coming up behind me. I also love being surrounded by like-minded people who share that experience.
What coach or mentor had the biggest impact on your life? What's one lesson they taught you that has stayed with you?
Coach Clark Lea at Vanderbilt. He had a huge impact on shaping who I became as a player, a leader, and a man. He poured everything into us and always preached staying in the fight. During our time together at Vanderbilt, we didn't see the results we had worked for, but the success came later, and that taught me something I'll never forget: success is a lag effect. Every action you take shows up eventually, just not always when you expect it.
Are you willing to share a bold prediction for the future of sports?
PlayerData will take over the sports technology industry... and Vanderbilt Football will be in the College Football Playoff in 2026–27.
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