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The Game-Changing Technology That Broke a 14-Year State Championship Drought

MADISON, Wis. - The Marquette University High School football team ended a 14-year state championship drought in dramatic fashion this season, capturing the Division I state title with a 27-10 victory over Franklin High School.

The Hilltoppers' championship run was fueled by a stifling defense that allowed just 10 points per game. But merely a year ago, Marquette's defense was a glaring weakness that contributed to a 4-8 record in 2021.

That's when Head Coach Keith Klestinski turned to Atavus and its Tacklytics technology to diagnose and address his team's tackling inefficiencies.

"We identified flawed pad level, strike timing, and footwork into contact as culprits for their woes," said an Atavus analyst. "Offseason regimens tailored to reinforcing proper technique led to a 61% tackle effectiveness jump and a 12-2 title run."

Klestinski raved about the impact of the Tacklytics insights. "Atavus has played a huge role in improving our defense over the past two seasons. We rely heavily on their weekly analysis of our game film to identify areas for improvement."

The data-driven process instilled accountability and competition within Marquette's defensive unit.

"Our athletes compete to have the highest tackling efficiency, and competition by position group is also charted," said Klestinski. "Atavus critiques our overall tackling form and provides us with new drills each week that specifically address our deficiencies as well as athlete safety."

The results were staggering — Marquette's defense recorded eight shutouts in the 2023 season, seven of which triggered a running clock due to lopsided scores.

"Atavus helped take our tackling efficiency and safety to new levels and helped us win the 2023 Wisconsin Division 1 State Championship," Klestinski stated.

The turnaround also boosted team culture and confidence according to Atavus. "Their staff confirms that responsive tackling insights instilled belief, equality and improved culture."

With a state title and renewed multi-year investment in Atavus' services, Marquette's championship defense projects sustained success moving forward.

THINK TACKLING. THINK ATAVUS.

We’re Football People

by Kerry Carter

My journey with Atavus is deeply rooted in my experiences as a player on the gridiron. From my time at Stanford to my days with the Seattle Seahawks and the Montreal Alouettes, I've seen firsthand the importance of proper tackling technique and player safety. But it wasn't until I transitioned into the business world that I truly understood how to make a meaningful impact on the game I love.

Atavus isn't just another tech company in the sports industry. Our mission goes beyond innovation; it's about education, performance enhancement, and player safety. Drawing from my background as a player, I understand the unique challenges and demands athletes face on the field. That's why Atavus is dedicated to providing coaches and players with the best tools to develop their skills and inspire confidence.

Our flagship product, the Atavus Tackle System, is a game-changer. Developed in collaboration with powerhouse teams like the Seattle Seahawks, Washington Huskies, and Ohio State Buckeyes, our system revolutionizes tackling technique. By focusing on shoulder-led technique and data-driven analysis, we prioritize player safety and performance like never before.

But our commitment to excellence doesn't stop there. Atavus goes beyond just teaching technique; we provide coaches with comprehensive data analysis, insights, and coaching resources to empower them on and off the field. Our team is comprised of former NFL and college football players, data scientists, and championship coaches who bring decades of experience to the table.

Whether you're a professional athlete, collegiate player, or high school coach, Atavus is here to support you every step of the way. We believe that by equipping players and coaches with the right tools and knowledge, we can create a safer, more competitive game for everyone involved.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together, we're changing the game, one tackle at a time.

I’d love to learn more about you so we can tailor these newsletters to be as informative and helpful as possible.

Warm regards,

Kerry Carter
CEO, Atavus

Join Our Upcoming Virtual Tackle Talk: Featuring Kyle Bakken

We’d like to invite you to an exclusive virtual event on Friday, April 19th featuring our first Tackle Talk speaker series presentation. This inaugural session will spotlight Kyle Bakken, the renowned Defensive Coordinator for Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Over the past six years, Coach Bakken has spearheaded a defensive renaissance at Concordia powered by the Atavus Tackle System. In this interactive presentation, he will share firsthand insights into how the program has leveraged Atavus' cutting-edge tackling metrics and techniques to catalyze dramatic performance improvements on the field. Attendees will gain a valuable look under the hood at the practical implementation of Atavus technologies and coaching strategies.

Moreover, Coach Bakken will reveal how Concordia has unlocked Atavus as a powerful recruiting asset by quantifying the program's commitment to player safety and technical mastery.

Whether your objective is boosting defensive production, reducing injury risk, refining fundamentals, or gaining a competitive edge, this Tackle Talk promises to deliver actionable insights. Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn directly from one of the collegiate coaches pioneering a smarter, more data-driven approach to defensive excellence.

Reserve your spot today for this informative virtual event. We look forward to you joining us for an engaging discussion!

How AI is Leading The Way in New Safety Protocols for Players

In the ever-evolving landscape of football safety, the NFL and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have joined forces to usher in a new era of player health and performance. Spearheaded by Jennifer Langton, NFL's senior vice president of health and safety innovation, this collaborative effort has given birth to the Digital Athlete, leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

A Strategic Partnership

Recognizing the need for a comprehensive approach to player safety, the NFL turned to AWS, renowned for its cloud technology capabilities. Together, they embarked on a mission to revolutionize how NFL teams gather and analyze injury data, marking a significant shift in the league's approach to player health.

Unlocking Player Insights

The Digital Athlete aggregates data from diverse sources, including real-time game day data, video footage, and stadium sensors. Through sophisticated algorithms, this wealth of information is transformed into actionable insights, enabling teams to tailor injury prevention strategies and optimize player performance.

Harnessing the Power of AI

Training AI to analyze game footage and track player movements has been a cornerstone of the Digital Athlete's development. By teaching AI to identify key visual cues, such as helmet impacts, and correlate them with player data, the Digital Athlete has become a vital tool in injury prevention and risk mitigation.

A Bird's-Eye View of the Action

AWS's advanced camera setup captures 3D player movements with remarkable precision, providing invaluable data for analysis. This technology allows for detailed examination of player positioning and movement patterns, shedding light on potential injury triggers such as fatigue.

Looking to the Future

As the Digital Athlete continues to evolve, the possibilities are limitless. AWS and the NFL are committed to pushing the boundaries of player safety, with ongoing developments in player modeling and injury detection. By harnessing the power of AI and data analytics, the Digital Athlete will empower teams to make data-driven decisions that prioritize player well-being.

In the journey towards a safer game, the Digital Athlete stands as a testament to the transformative potential of technology in football safety. As we look ahead, let us embrace these innovations and continue striving towards a future where player safety remains paramount.

Flag Football League Pumps Brakes on Inaugural Pro Season, for now…

The much-anticipated launch of the American Flag Football League's (AFFL) new professional men's division has been postponed until spring 2025. The league, billed as the "preeminent flag football organization in the United States," was originally slated to kick off its first pro season this month with teams in Boston, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Nashville.

However, in a statement released Thursday, the AFFL announced they will push back the debut to 2025 in order to expand the number of teams, games, and markets involved from the outset. The goal is to "create a more competitive and exciting AFFL which maximizes attendance and viewership and builds on the unprecedented momentum of women's sports."

Founded in 2016 by former financial executive Jeff Lewis, the AFFL has successfully launched youth and women's flag football competitions as participation in the sport has soared in recent years. With flag football being added to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics program, establishing a professional men's league was the next logical step for the young organization.

While enthusiasts may be disappointed by the delay, the AFFL frames the postponement as a strategic move "to benefit the long-term growth of the league and further develop a passionate, community-oriented fan base."

The league assures fans that "together, we will realize the tremendous opportunity and excitement surrounding the sport of flag football for years to come."

Despite hitting the pause button on their initial pro launch, the AFFL continues laying a solid foundation with an eye towards capitalizing on flag football's upward trajectory as a mainstream sport. Unveiling an expanded professional league in 2025 could prove to be worth the wait.

THAT’S ALL FOR NOW.

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