Co-Founders

Chip Krotee, CO-FOUNDER

  • Chip Krotee has spent 20 years on Wall Street in various roles, most recently as principal at Mariner GreyArc.  He has embraced quantitative metrics to invest across the capital structure.  Chip also serves as an advisor to several financial technology firms.  Chip graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and holds an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.  Chip played soccer for Army’s nationally ranked teams and played professionally for VRF Baumholder in Germany.

Dr. Jonathan Nichols, Ph.D, CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF ANALYTICS

  • Dr. Jonathan Nichols received his BSc in Mechanical Eng. from the University of Delaware and MSc and PhD degrees from Duke University, also in Mechanical Eng.  He has authored over 100 peer reviewed journal articles and 3 textbooks focusing on the development and application of probabilistic models to forecasting complex system behavior.  As the analytics team lead, he has created a suite of tools for predicting athletic performance and quantifying the uncertainty in those predictions.  The emphasis is on providing coaches and managers the information needed to make important decisions on how to best identify & develop talent, and ultimately use that talent in game situations.  Dr. Nichols is also a former Division I soccer and track athlete (University of Delaware) as well as youth coach in both sports.  His combined experiences as scientist, athlete, and coach provides DSA Labs valuable insight into the unique challenges associated with modeling and predicting athletic performance.

The Team

Scott Krotee, HEAD OF PRODUCT

  • Scott Krotee is the Head of Product at DSA Laboratories, where he leads an international development team and bridges the gap between engineering and end users. His role focuses on aligning business goals, user needs, and technology capabilities to deliver innovative solutions in sports analytics.

    A former student-athlete, Krotee earned a B.S. in Health & Wellness from Gardner-Webb University and an M.S. in International Marketing (MIM) from Saint Joseph’s University Haub School of Business.

    Prior to joining DSA Labs, Krotee served as a NCAA Division I goalkeeper coach for 5 years. During this time, he also contracted for one of the largest college athletics identification camp companies in the nation, fulfilling over 50 contracts.

    Prior to coaching, Krotee was a NCAA Division I and 4-year professional goalkeeper.  

Joe Dan Rogers, HEAD OF FOOTBALL

  • Joe Dan Rogers is a distinguished football professional, known for his contributions as a player, coach, scout, and program innovator. A former University of Oklahoma (OU) football letterman, Rogers carried his passion for the game into a career that has left a lasting impact at every level.

    In 1999, Rogers was part of the coaching staff at Brown University, where the team captured the Ivy League Championship. The following year, he joined Texas Christian University (TCU), helping lead the program to a Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Championship. His strategic insights and leadership were instrumental in developing successful teams and fostering player development.

    Rogers later transitioned to the NFL as a scout for the Atlanta Falcons, using his sharp eye for talent to shape the team’s roster. Beyond scouting, he played a pivotal role in building the NFL Combine training program for St. Vincent Sports Performance. This program became a cornerstone for preparing athletes for the rigorous demands of professional football, solidifying Rogers’ reputation as an innovator in athletic performance training.

    Throughout his career, Rogers has remained dedicated to the sport, whether coaching, scouting, or mentoring athletes. His achievements, from collegiate coaching championships to revolutionizing combine training, underscore his versatility and commitment to excellence. He continues to be a respected figure in the football community, influencing the game with his expertise and passion.

Kaleigh Fratkin, HEAD OF ICE HOCKEY

  • Kaleigh Fratkin is the Head of Ice Hockey with DSA Labs, focusing on growing the ice hockey vertical. Kaleigh is entering her 10th season as a professional ice hockey player in North America. She also serves as a marketing manager for Timberland.

    Prior to entering the professional ranks, Kaleigh played Division I ice hockey at Boston University where she graduated with a B.S in broadcast journalism. Later, she obtained a M.S in organizational leadership from Northeastern University.

    Kaleigh has also coached numerous players at all levels from youth to college, and specializes in player skill development.

Maggie Brooks, SOFTWARE ENGINEER

  • Maggie Brooks is a software engineer at DSA Labs, focusing on UI/UX enhancements and implementing key updates.

    A 2023 graduate of Duke University with a degree in Computer Science and Digital Intelligence, she brings a collaborative approach to problem-solving and a passion for the intersection of sports and technology.

    In addition to her work at DSA Labs, Maggie coaches skiing and is a former Team USA synchronized skater. 

Hunter Paone, BACK END DEVELOPER

  • Hunter Paone is a software engineer and backend developer for DSA Labs. Hunter also assists in creating new UI designs for developing projects. Hunter graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a B.S. in Computer Science and a Minor in Website Design & Graphics. While completing his degree he also competed on the NCAA DII men's soccer team.

Tolani Ibikunle, SOLUTIONS ENGINEER

  • Tolani is a Solutions Engineer at DSA Labs, where he collaborates across various functions to deliver impactful solutions. With a passion for problem-solving and client success, he combines technical expertise with strong communication skills to drive value for both internal teams and customers.

    Before transitioning into the tech world, he played soccer at Wake Forest University, where he earned his degree in Economics, and was drafted by the Colorado Rapids out of college. He played in the USL and overseas as well.

Daniel Ries, SOFTWARE ENGINEER

  • Dan Ries is a full-stack software engineer and an advisor for DSA Labs. He attended the University of Missouri, Columbia for Computer Engineering. With multiple years of experience, he specializes in software architecture, system optimization, and crafting high-quality code to drive business success. Dan has a passion for innovation and problem-solving, he thrives in creating collaborative environments where the team can deliver impactful, user-focused products.

Advisors

Dr. March L. Krotee, Ph.D, CONSULTANT

  • Professor Krotee possesses over 50 years experience as a distinguished educator and scholar in sports management while serving on the faculties of the University of Maryland, Carnegie-Mellon University, George Mason University, University of Minnesota, and currently North Carolina State University.  He has authored several texts, delivered hundreds of research presentations, and been honored for his contributions to sports management by the governments of Bahrain, Brazil, China, Kenya, Mexico, Turkey, and Uruguay among others.  He has been recognized by sports institutions and associations including the United States Olympic Committee, The President’s Council on Physical Fitness, United States Field Hockey, United States Soccer Federation, United States Triathlon Association, and Special Olympics International.  He is a Kellogg/Partners of the Americas Fellow, a Sports Ethics Fellow for the Institute of International Sport, and a Senior Fulbright Scholar.  He has decades of experience at home and abroad in sports and sports science and provides DSA an unmatched understanding of how to enhance sports performance.

Dr. James D. Nichols, Ph.D, CONSULTANT

  • Dr. James D. Nichols has >45 years experience as a research scientist focusing on drawing inferences and developing models for ecological systems. He has authored >450 publications, including 11 books. He is a recipient of the Presidential Rank Award (Meritorious Senior Professional) and various awards from scientific organizations (American Statistical Association, The Wildlife Society, Ecological Society of America, American Ornithological Society), universities (University of Florida, Michigan State University. Louisiana State University, Auburn University, Colorado State University), government agencies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service) and private organizations (Ducks Unlimited).  He has coached youth soccer and basketball.

Bobby Novak, ADVISOR

  • Bobby Novak is a software engineer, a full-stack web developer, and advisor for DSA Labs.  He graduated from University of Maryland, Baltimore County with a BS in computer science. Bobby provided an accessible, user-friendly interface for DSA’s suite of analysis and forecasting tools including: “real-time” data entry, data visualization, team and database management.

Allard Peng, ADVISOR

  • Allard Peng is an investment analyst, marketing and data specialist, and quant researcher. He advises DSA Labs on data and web scraping. Allard graduated with a 4.0 from the US Military Academy at West Point, where he majored in economics and served as manager of the Army West Point Wrestling Team (NCAA D1).

Tribute

Doug Oppenheimer, CHAIRMAN EMERITUS

  • Doug Oppenheimer, co-founder of DSA Labs, was a distinguished educator and coach whose profound impact on youth soccer and player development resonated globally. With a career spanning over two decades, Doug held prestigious coaching licenses and was known for his holistic approach to player development, emphasizing personal growth alongside athletic prowess.

    A graduate and captain of the Colby College Soccer Team, Doug’s journey in soccer continued across continents, from playing in England to studying coaching techniques worldwide. His vision for DSA Labs stemmed from a deep-seated belief in using analytics to enhance player development—a vision that continues to guide our company today.

    In honoring Doug's legacy, we remember him not only for his achievements in the field of sports but for his unwavering commitment to helping others. Doug's ethos remains a guiding light for DSA Labs, inspiring us to pursue excellence with integrity and compassion.

    Doug passed away on Friday, January 31st, 2025 in Hilton Head, South Carolina, after a hard fought battle with cancer.

Who We Are

DSA Labs, short for Developmental Sports Analytics, is a forward-thinking software company revolutionizing sports data management and analysis. Designed for coaches, players, and scouts, our flagship platform, StatLink, empowers organizations to seamlessly integrate data streams from popular providers while creating custom player metrics tailored to their unique needs. The result? A cutting-edge solution for tracking, predicting, and enhancing player and team performance.

Trusted by professionals across the sports industry, StatLink streamlines workflows, simplifies decision-making, and saves valuable time. In the fast-paced digital era of sports, DSA Labs is your partner in leveraging data to unlock potential and achieve excellence. 

Our Story

DSA began as a simple effort among friends to better understand the “beautiful game.”  Each of us played collegiately and, despite ultimately pursuing other careers (Business, Math/Physics, Education, and Computer Science), continue to stay involved as avid fans and coaches.

As we evolved in both our coaching and research, we found a number of services aimed at data collection, but nothing that focused on using that data to produce actionable insights. In response, we set out to develop a mathematical framework for using all available data to improve the way we identify and develop talent as well as our teams’ performances on the field.

The result is DSA’s web application, StatLink, which combines a sophisticated statistical inference engine with a simple, easy-to-use interface.  It leverages multiple sources of data to address some of the biggest coaching challenges, including talent identification, forecasting player ability, making line-up decisions, performing personality assessments, and ultimately, predicting game performances.

In short, we believe that metrics alone are insufficient to improve sports performance. Yet, knowing how to capture, organize, aggregate, and visualize that data is the key to a competitive advantage.

Follow our journey.