Who is Gustavo Alvarez-Suchini?
Gustavo “Gus” Alvarez-Suchini is the Founder & CEO of DataRook, a Knoxville-based education company whose flagship program, footyLab, teaches middle schoolers data science through soccer — students collect their own performance data with professional-grade GPS trackers, then learn Python by analyzing it. He holds a Master’s in Computational Physics and is pursuing a PhD in Learning, Design, and Technology at the University of Tennessee, grounding DataRook’s model in learning science. His background spans STEM curriculum development at Flinn Scientific, data analytics for professional soccer at One Knoxville SC, and youth coaching. Since going full-time in 2024, Gus has delivered paid programs to 200+ students across East Tennessee schools and nonprofits — including Tate’s School, Vine Middle School, and Boys & Girls Clubs — and represented the University of Tennessee at the SEC Student Pitch Competition.
Connect with Gustavo Alvarez-Suchini on LinkedIn.
What is DataRook?
With soccer now America’s third-favorite sport and the 2026 World Cup on home soil, there’s never been a better moment to turn a love of the game into real STEM skills.
DataRook aims to revolutionize how young people engage with data science by making it relevant, exciting, and directly applicable to their interests. We’re on a mission to empower youth through the intersection of sports and data science, fostering critical thinking skills and opening doors to STEM careers.
Our vision is to become the leading provider of sports-integrated STEM education, democratizing access to data science skills for youth across the United States and beyond.
