COACHING - Key Persons
Andi Sellers-Goodwin earned her Bachelor's and Master's of Exercise and Sport Sciences in sport management from the UF College of Health and Human Performance during her All-American career as part of the Gators Women's Soccer Team and member of the US Women's U-20 national team. She spent the next eight years working for the Baltimore Ravens in their community relations, marketing & research, and ticket operations departments. Currently, Sellers-Goodwin is a doctoral candidate at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill after earning a Master's of Arts in Sociology at UNC-CH in 2020.
Job Titles:
- Member of the FACULTY and STAFF
- Professor of Practice
Not only is Becky a Professor of Practice, but she is also the co-founder of What Drives Winning. With her 32 years as a practicing coach and extensive work to revolutionize the way we educate coaches, she continues to make her mark on the industry here at the Institute of Coaching Excellence.
Christine Brooks, Ph.D., is the Head Developer and Instructor for USA Track and Field Instructor Training Program. Dr. Brooks has decades of experience in sport education, after serving as the Women's Track & Field Head Coach at Penn State University, a coordinator of the Sport Science Coaching Education Program at USA Track and Field, among various other roles. She has also received numerous awards, including USA Track & Field Terry Crawford Coaching Education Award in 2020 and the USATF Fred Wilt Educator of the Year Award in 2022.
Job Titles:
- Lecturer
- Member of the FACULTY and STAFF
- Institute Director
Christine Wegner, Ph.D. is a Lecturer with the Department of Sport Management at the University of Florida. Her research interests include sport for social change and marginalized populations in sport, particularly the role of organizations and organizing in the formation of identities in and through sport. She has also worked with several local and national non-profit sport organizations, providing program and membership evaluation as a means of strategic programming and fundraising.
Christopher Janelle is Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs in the College of Health and Human Performance, as well as Professor and Director of the Performance Psychology Laboratory in the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. His research interests focus on the interaction of emotion, attention, and movement as related to human performance and health issues.
Dan Connaughton, Ed.D., is a Professor in the Sport Management program. His research is largely focused on the study of law and risk management in sport and physical activity programs. Adopting a multi-methodological approach, his research has specifically investigated (a) risk perception; (b) risk management policies and practices; (c) awareness of and compliance with statutes, standards, and guidelines; and (d) injury/death prevention in sport and physical activity.
Dr. Blain Harrison joined APK in 2016 as a Lecturer and the Internship Coordinator for the undergraduate and graduate APK programs. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, a Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology, and a Ph.D. in Sports Medicine all from the University of Virginia along with a Master's of Science in Athletic Training from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach with the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Dr. Chivonne Kiser is a native of Houston, Texas and has over 20 years of experience in education- based athletics in various districts in Texas. Dr. Kiser has spent much of her personal and professional life involved in education-based athletics as a high school three-sport letterman, a Division I college volleyball player, an English teacher, a Physical Education department head, a head volleyball coach, a head track and field coach, an assistant campus athletic coordinator, and currently as an assistant athletic director. Additionally, Dr. Kiser will be inducted into the Southern University and A&M College Sports Hall of Fame later this year. Dr. Kiser has a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Southern University, a Master of Science in Sports Management from the University of Florida, and a Doctorate in Education from Northcentral University. Dr. Kiser is a wife and mother of 3 children also involved heavily in athletics: Austin, Tyler, and Brooklyn. Her husband, Dr. Charles Kiser, is also a former athlete and works in the field of education as well.
Job Titles:
- Member of the FACULTY and STAFF
- Associate Director of Research
Dr. Chris McLeod conducts high-impact research to help athletes and athlete-led organizations. He uses research, teaching, and engagement to help athletes improve their working conditions and development opportunities. With 26 articles in peer reviewed journals, Dr. McLeod is passionate about sharing his knowledge with students.
Dr. Gio Valiante is regarded as one of the most successful performance coaches in the world. He graduated with Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Florida, and a Ph.D. from Emory University where he studied Social Cognitive Theory under the world-renowned professor, Frank Pajares. Dr. Gio began applying SCT to golfers, and the results were immediate and compelling: over 50 professional wins on the LPGA and PGA Tours.
Job Titles:
- Founder of Penry Advisors
Jason is the founder of Penry Advisors, LLC, which provides fundraising counsel and talent development and training for college athletics. Previously, he has served in vice president or vice chancellor roles in development within the Texas Tech System, Arkansas State, and Texas A&M. Penry was chair of the board (2019-2020) for the College Baseball Foundation, which governs the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. In 2018, he founded the Surefire Baseball Forum to prepare and connect top NCAA Division I assistant baseball coaches with administrators.
Dr. Nicole Stedman is Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School. She is a three-time University of Florida alumna: Bachelor of Science in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences (1998), Master of Science in Agricultural Education and Communication (2001), and Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Education and Communication, with an emphasis in leadership education (2004).
Dr. Yong Jae Ko is a Professor in the Department of Sport Management at the University of Florida and coordinator of Sport Management Program. His primary research interest is sport consumers' decision-making process, focused on their socio-psychological variables such as personality, needs/motivation, and attachment. This line of research has been extended to sport spectatorship/participation and donor behavior.
Ed Buckley has led Peerfit's expansion strategy by driving national partnerships, business development, and fundraising. With nearly 10 years in the fitness industry and a background in digital health behavior research, he strives to push the envelope on innovation in the fitness-technology space. Mr. Buckley is very passionate about designing new ways to drive engagement and help deliver flexibility and personalization to the health and wellness marketplace.
Job Titles:
- Director of Sports Journalism
Eric Esterline is the Director of Sports Journalism and Communication and a lecturer for the College of Journalism and Communications. He also holds an appointment for the College of Health and Human Performance in sport management. Before coming to Gainesville in 2015 he worked in sports radio and journalism in Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Washington D.C. and was a freelance producer for FoxSports.
Garrett Beatty joined the College of Health & Human Performance as a Lecturer in August 2015. Garrett's research interests include studying the strategies individuals employ to regulate emotional experiences in order to improve human performance within emotionally charged environments. Garrett is also interested in investigating how social, psychological, pedagogical, coaching, and management principles can be leveraged to enhance the career and life development of athletes.
Jeremy Foley handled virtually every aspect of the University of Florida's $119.3 million athletic program during his athletic administrative career - which began with an internship in the Gator Ticket Office in 1976 - was named UF's Director of Athletics in March of 1992. He was the second-longest tenured athletic director among Autonomy Conference schools before his retirement on October 1, 2016.
Job Titles:
- Member of the FACULTY and STAFF
- Graduate Research Assistant
A former student athlete and a current UF PhD student, Jessica's role is to develop and review current and impactful research. Jessica's experience as an athlete herself has fueled her curiosity and desire to better understand athletes and their needs.
Job Titles:
- Member of the FACULTY and STAFF
- Graduate Research Assistant
As a former HBCU student-athlete, Joseph has a desire to help athletes enter into new careers after sport. His research focuses on athlete development and transition as well as cultural capital. In addition to planning and conducting research as he earns his PhD, his role includes undergraduate course evaluation and teaching.
Job Titles:
- Member of the FACULTY and STAFF
- Professor of Practice and Director of Professional Tennis Management of the University of Florida
Kim is Professor of Practice and Director of Professional Tennis Management of the University of Florida. She has a Master's in education from University of Missouri, specializing in Positive Coaching psychology, and a bachelor's in finance from UF. She is USPTA Elite and PTR Professional.
Mark Rosser earned a B.A.E. in political science from the UF College of Education in 1979. Upon graduation he gained experience as a social studies teacher, then as a state policymaker, a lobbyist and an entrepreneur, before venturing into corporate compliance and governance. Rosser is a twice-elected president of a national trade association and a veteran on political campaigns.
Job Titles:
- Professor of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology and Dean of the College of Health & Human Performance
Michael B. Reid, Ph.D. is Professor of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology and Dean of the College of Health & Human Performance at the University of Florida. Dr. Reid is recognized for his research on the redox mechanisms that underlie muscle weakness and fatigue. His research team was the first to demonstrate that skeletal muscle produces reactive oxygen species, the first to identify nitric oxide as an endogenous modulator of muscle contraction, and the first to demonstrate that oxidative stress plays a causal role in human muscle fatigue.
Before coming to UF in 2018, Coche had been an assistant professor in the Department of Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Memphis, teaching undergraduate and graduate students in broadcast, sports journalism and entrepreneurial media. Prior to that, she was a lecturer in the Department of Communication, Media and Journalism at the University of North Georgia Dahlonega and a visiting professor in the Communication and Sciences Program at the Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Guadalajara in Mexico.
Job Titles:
- Partner at Underdog Venture Team
Sara is currently a partner at Underdog Venture Team, a new social impact enterprise that offers strategic marketing services as well as invests in underrepresented founders in sports, entertainment, and wellness. Her sports business background also includes business development for the Boston Blazers; partnership marketing for Major League Soccer/Soccer United Marketing, and labor relations for Major League Baseball. Sports Business Journal named Sara to the 2018 class of Game Changers and in 2021, she was named a co-owner of the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League.
Shelley has always believed that sport creates a positive impact beyond time spent on the field. She teaches two courses focused on the holistic development of athletes, creates invaluable networking opportunities through the Department of Engaged Learning and Outreach, and serves as a career coach for students.
Steve is a recognized leader at the intersection of sport, business, and education, known for helping individuals and organizations get better and better. Together with his sister, Dr. Leigh Mesler Parise, Steve founded Classroom Champions, an international ed-tech non-profit organization that provides Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum and mentorship with help from hundreds of Olympians, Paralympians, NFL, NHL, and NCAA (student-) athletes.
Ted Spiker, the chair of the department of journalism, primarily teaches Sports Media & Society. He came to the University of Florida in 2001, was awarded tenure in 2007, and promoted to full professor and chair in 2015. Spiker was named the University of Florida Teacher of the Year for 2016-17.
Job Titles:
- Member of the FACULTY and STAFF
- Graduate Research Assistant
Yoonki focuses on advancing our collective body of knowledge, both through his research findings and his role as an undergraduate instructor. With a passion for the happiness and wellbeing of athletes, Yoonki analyzes, plans, and conducts research as he completes his PhD in sport management.