Founder Profile: Michael Ressler

Central Catholic star running back Damien Jones-Moore played the game of his life against Woodland Hills High School, gaining 133 yards on 15 carries and scoring three touchdowns. Unfortunately, his parents were working and missed the game.

 

Not to worry. Pittsburgh startup StatEasy not only allowed his parents to relive the highlights the next day, but it gave them a great recruiting video with which to launch their son’s career.  

 

StatEasy was founded by CEO Michael Ressler, a Carnegie Mellon computer science grad and former club volleyball coach who recognized the value in a good sports video software that integrates statistics compiled during a game with the video footage. 

 

“As head coach, I wanted to save myself some time,” says Ressler who found himself frustrated by antiquated technologies. A computer nerd, he knew there had to be a better option.    

 

“Other companies offer video solutions that capture stats and video footage, but few have ever combined the two effectively. We do both, integrating it all into one system,” says Ressler. “It’s a solution every high school coach has dreamed about.”

 

Coaches and assistants have always collected their own stats during the game, often scribbling on notepads. With StatEasy, the stats are punched in on a laptop by assistants while the game is being recorded.

 

Coaches gain instant access to the stats through a handheld mobile device that conveys what’s going on in the field or on the court. Through a few easy steps, the video and stats are uploaded and synchronized, providing coaches and players with a navigable video database so they can view footage of specific plays, errors, and other statistics they may want to revisit.    

 

The program works particularly well for football, basketball and volleyball, and it eliminates post game data entry, a huge savings in time for coaches. It’s also a tool for making highlight videos for media outlets and for players putting together recruiting tapes.

 

The product went on the market in 2010 and has been gaining traction ever since. It’s currently being used by more than 100 colleges and high schools, including Penn State, CMU and Robert Morris. WPIAL AAAA high school football has agreed to use it this fall. 

 

Based in East Liberty, StatEasy currently is a team of four. The startup is fundraising and hopes to hire more developers, sales and marketing staff in the future.

 

Watch the video.