Ithaca, NY—Cornell University, a leader in collegiate athletics and academic excellence, has taken a bold step forward by joining Teamworks Elite, committing to a transformative approach to student-athlete and staff engagement through cutting-edge technology.

“Joining Teamworks Elite is a significant milestone for us,” said Nicki Moore, Meakem & Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education. “The ability to centralize communication, streamline operations, and enhance the student-athlete experience aligns with our effort to provide the best-in-class support for our student-athletes and the best, most efficient systems for our coaches and staff. I deeply appreciate the work that Amy Foster, our Senior Deputy Athletic Director for the Student-Athlete Experience, has done to select and implement Teamworks Elite, and to the AD’s Core Fund donors who have helped make it possible.”

A Deliberate, Phased Technology Strategy

Cornell’s journey with Teamworks began with a critical assessment of existing systems. “We were running a homegrown IT solution that was becoming increasingly unsustainable,” explained Foster. “We needed a scalable, customizable platform that could evolve with our department’s complex needs.”

Cornell initially adopted Teamworks Compliance + Recruiting (formerly ARMS) to manage rosters, workflows, and compliance processes. This system replaced a fragmented approach that had become obsolete amid the rapidly evolving collegiate sports landscape. The initial integration’s success, along with the growing interest among Big Red student-athletes to activate their NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) inspired further innovation, leading Cornell to adopt additional Teamworks products.

Teamworks Influencer empowers student-athletes to maximize opportunities in the NIL space. Meanwhile, Teamworks Hub technology provides a platform to connect staff and teams, streamlining communication, scheduling, travel, and operations for the Big Red.

One notable example of this transformation is the adoption of centralized platforms for tasks like tutor requests and outside competition approvals. “Directing student-athletes to a single, familiar hub for their needs encourages self-reliance and streamlines communication with staff,” Foster said. “This is just the beginning of the impact we expect to see.”

Sport Science: A Catalyst for Athletic Excellence

The latest addition of Teamworks’ Athlete Management System (AMS) + Electronic Medical Records (EMR) represents perhaps the most transformative leap. In an era where athletic performance is increasingly data-driven, AMS provides granular insights that enable personalized training and recovery strategies. 

“Our student-athletes are deeply motivated to understand their individual performance metrics,” Foster explains. “AMS allows us to further individualize workouts, communicate more effectively across performance support teams, and help student-athletes understand and influence their own growth and development patterns.” 

Jay Andress, Associate AD for Strength & Conditioning at Cornell, emphasized, “Sport science practices are essential in creating an elite student-athlete health and performance management environment. Teamworks AMS provides the solution for optimizing health and performance data management while providing an immediate impact in the following areas:” 

• Centralized Data Management: Consolidates performance data into one platform, eliminating the need to navigate multiple sport science applications.
• Streamlined Communication: Enhances collaboration and efficiency within the athletics department.
• Improved Data Sharing and Visualization: Empowers student-athletes with clear insights into their performance.
• Customizable to Fit Departmental Needs: Designed to support the complexity of a large athletics department with 37 teams.
• Data-Driven Programming: Mitigates injury risk and boosts athletic performance through evidence-based approaches.
• Enhanced Operations: Optimizes the workflows that support student-athlete health, wellbeing, and peak performance.

A Seamless, Cohesive Student-Athlete Experience

Cornell’s vision for Teamworks Elite (Teamworks + Compliance + Hub + INFLCR)   extends beyond technological adoption—it aims to redefine how student-athletes experience support and services. Moore explained, “We want to integrate all aspects of our health and performance, team, as well as our student-athlete development services, so student-athletes receive and feel the support of the entire team of professionals working collaboratively and in partnership with them in service of their highest athletic, academic, and personal aspirations. Teamworks Elite, supplemented with the Teamworks Athlete Management System will provide critical components to achieving that vision.” Foster added, “This helps us meet our students where they are, providing immediate access to information and resources via their mobile devices. By centralizing messaging, forms, and education, we’re simplifying their experience and empowering them to take initiative.”

Why Teamworks? Why Now?

Foster underscored why Teamworks is the ideal partner for Cornell: “The scalability, flexibility, and comprehensive integration of Teamworks products make them unique. With the number of student-athletes and teams we support, maximizing technology is essential. Our department, under Dr. Moore’s leadership is committed to development, innovation, and delivering an unparalleled student-athlete experience.”

By joining Teamworks Elite, Cornell demonstrates its commitment to excellence, innovation, and the future of collegiate sports by leveraging technology to advance not only athletic performance but also the holistic development of their student-athletes.