SU offering academic programs to current, former baseball players in MLBPA partnership

SYRACUSE — Both current and former professional baseball players will get the chance to pursue academic programs at Syracuse University (SU) as part of the school’s partnership with the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). Under their agreement, SU will offer “market-relevant and industry-specific” online degrees, certificates, and credentials, as well as a range of non-credit professional development and executive education-training programs, courses, and workshops, per Feb. 25 the SU announcement. The university describes the partnership as “responsive to the MLBPA’s desire to expand opportunities for career growth to its thousands of players.” “This partnership reflects our collectively held value that higher education should be achievable for everyone, regardless of the demands of their profession or personal circumstances,” Jeremy Jordan, dean of David B. Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics, said in the SU announcement. “For athletes and professionals with unpredictable schedules, our online programs offer the perfect balance of flexibility, robust academic support and real-world applicability — all without compromising their careers.” Jordan had the initial discussions with the MLBPA inspired the creation of this new initiative, SU noted. The MLBPA represents the 1,200 players on major league 40-man rosters, as well as about 5,500 minor league players. These educational opportunities will be accessible through a number of formats, including online, on campus, and at Syracuse’s Study Away sites in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. SU says it will also offer an online academic English program to prepare non-native English speakers for success in their non-credit programs, courses, and workshops.

Collaboration details

This new partnership creates opportunities for players to pursue objectives that include skill development and post-career readiness; research and innovation; practical experience; and networking opportunities, per the Syracuse University announcement. The partnership will “align market-relevant” curricula and programming with players’ post-career aspirations and needs, “ensuring they acquire meaningful skills and knowledge.” In addition, SU and the MLBPA will collaborate on research projects that inform “progressive and advanced programming” for professional athletes. These efforts may lead to the development of new technologies, products, or processes that could benefit the MLBPA and other professional athletic organizations. The partnership will also provide Syracuse University students with opportunities for internships, co-op programs and hands-on projects with the MLBPA. This practical experience will enhance learning, make students more competitive, and serve as a potential pipeline for talent to the MLBPA and other professional athlete associations, the university contends. Players will also have access to networking opportunities with professional mentors associated with Syracuse in sports, broadcasting and business, to aid them in post-playing career development and job opportunities. “The Major League Baseball Players Association is thrilled to partner with Syracuse University to provide our members with exceptional educational opportunities,” Chris Singleton, MLBPA special assistant for player resource programs and a former major league outfielder, said in the SU announcement. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to supporting players both on and off the field, ensuring they have access to world-class academic resources that empower their personal and professional growth.”