The Seton Hall Sports Poll (SHSP), a project housed within the Stillman School of Business' Sharkey Institute, continues to cement its place as one of the most unique and influential student-led research initiatives in the nation.
Now entering its 20th year, the poll stands as the only ongoing university-based survey in the United States dedicated exclusively to public opinion on sports.
At the head of the poll is Dr. Daniel Ladik, associate professor and chair of the Department of Marketing, who serves as the poll’s chief methodologist. Working alongside Charles Grantham, director of the Center for Sport Management, and Len DeLuca, associate director, the SHSP provides students with hands-on experience in data collection, analysis, media production, and public communication.
Together, they mentor a team of students representing majors from journalism and marketing to finance, communications, and data science.
The students gain hands-on experience while learning from industry professionals like Grantham, who previously led the National Basketball Players Association, and DeLuca, whose media experience connects students to real-world perspectives.
Led by these prominent individuals in the sports world, the SHSP conducts opinion polls that cover sports topics from ethics to culture.
“We’re the only continuous sports opinion poll conducted by a university,” Dr. Ladik said.
The poll’s student-run team reflects the collaborative energy behind its success. With captains leading media, social, design, analytics, and writing divisions, the team of nearly 20 students is growing rapidly—up from just 11 last year.
Maya Winczura, a senior marketing and sports management major, is the social team captain. She explained that each poll is a collaboration.
“Everyone brings something different to the table...editing, analytics, writing, or creative ideas...we all share the same drive and work ethic,” Winczura said. “Our success comes from how we work together.”
The poll’s origins trace back to 2006 when a SHU alumnus funded a university-wide initiative that led to the creation of the Sharkey Institute. The first poll, conducted in February of that year, focused on public opinion of the Winter Olympics.
“That was our first national survey,” Dr. Ladik recalled. “We’ll revisit that same topic in February 2026...exactly 20 years later.”
What makes the Sports Poll unique is not just its longevity, but its professional structure.
The poll partners with YouGov, a global research firm, which allows them to distribute surveys to a demographically representative national sample.
“We create the questions, [then YouGov helps] us refine the wording and ensures the responses represent all regions and demographics across the U.S.,” analytics captain Rahul Nair, a senior finance and sports management major, said. “They help us collect unbiased, accurate data that truly reflects public opinion.”
The media creation and social teams ensure that the poll’s findings reach the public through visually engaging and accessible content.
Gianna Capozzi, a sophomore communications major, is a member of the media creation team.
“It’s incredible [that a smaller school] like Seton Hall is being featured by ESPN and USA Today,” Capozzi said. It proves you don’t need to go to a massive university to work on national-level projects.”
The design team, led by Justin Loretz, a sophomore accounting major, and the scribe team, led by Ace Crawford, a senior sports media major, translate data into clear, professional content. Crawford is also a writer for The Setonian’s Sports section.
Member of the scribe team, Sean Gordon, a senior journalism major, said the poll’s content needs to be neutral.
“It’s important for the Poll's content to be neutral so readers can trust that the information is accurate and unbiased,” Gordon said. “It's also important that the Poll maintains credibility, so respondents are encouraged to give honest answers.”
Over the years, the poll’s topics have reflected both major headlines and cultural shifts—from the “Taylor Swift effect” to the rise of women’s sports to the ongoing evolution of sports betting.
“That visibility strengthens the reputation of the Stillman School of Business, the Sharkey Institute, and Seton Hall as a whole,” Dr. Ladik said.
As sports media becomes more data-driven, the poll continues to evolve.
“Digital platforms make it easier to reach people,” Capozzi said. “Social media lets us get responses faster and share our results more widely.”
“The Seton Hall Sports Poll represents the university’s best values—curiosity, collaboration, and professionalism,” Dr. Ladik added. “We’re not just measuring opinions, we’re helping shape the national conversation about sports and culture.”
Kassandrah Blake is a writer for The Setonian’s Features section. She can be reached at kassandrah.blake@student.shu.edu.
