PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB) to institute a new Analytics Mentorship Program.

The Phillies and SWAC Analytics Mentorship Program will give students currently attending SWAC member institutions the opportunity to gain valuable insight and experience in the field of sports analytics.

"The sports analytics industry is booming, however, less than 10% of its employees are minorities and women. Having a program like this will grow and encourage a more diverse workforce for years to come,” said John Tobias, founder of Strength in Numbers, a non-profit organization focused on helping increase diversity in the sports analytics industry.

Strength in Numbers will assist with identifying and selecting students to partake in this prestigious three-month program.

"Analytics can open doors for people who might not otherwise have considered working in the sports industry as a possibility. Through this partnership and program, we’re excited to work with talented students from the HBCU member schools of the SWAC and open the door even further,” said Phillies Assistant Director of Quantitative Analysis Patrick McFarlane.

Applications for the mentorship program will be accepted through Thursday, September 15.

Please click here to apply for the mentorship program.