Formation of College Sport Research Institute Announced
MEMPHIS, TN--- July 18, 2007 – Recognizing the important cultural position of
college sport, a group of prominent college sport researchers today announced
the formation of the College Sport Research Institute (CSRI) at The University
of Memphis. According to the institute’s Director, Dr. Richard M. Southall,
CSRI is designed to address a void in research activity related to college
sport. The institute’s mission is to encourage and support sustained
cross-disciplinary, collaborative college-sport research, serve as a consortium
for college-sport researchers from across the United States, and disseminate
research results to academics, college-sport practitioners, and the general
public.
According to Southall, “CSRI will provide sustained opportunities for
independent, organized and focused cross-disciplinary research regarding college
sport in the United States. Specifically, the College Sport Research Institute
is committed to serving as a national clearinghouse for college sports research,
and building research capacity that increases the ability of students, faculty,
and college-sport practitioners to conduct research regarding issues in college
sport.”
“In addition to supporting independent critical college sport research, the
institute will also be a strong advocate for college athletes’ rights and
education,” Southall noted.
In order to achieve its mission, the College Sport Research Institute will host
an annual national conference. The first of these conferences, the Issues in
College Sport Conference, will be held April 16-19, 2008 at the FedEx Institute
of Technology on the campus of The University of Memphis. Leading researchers,
practitioners, and college administrators will be invited to attend the
conference. In addition to two prominent keynote speakers, and three invited
panels, the conference will include two days of juried academic presentations.
In order to encourage undergraduate and graduate student participation, a
student research competition will be held in conjunction with the conference.
CSRI will also publish an academic, peer-reviewed journal entitled: Journal of
Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics (JIIA). Dr. Kevin L. Burke, from East
Tennessee State University will serve as editor of JIIA. Members of an Editorial
Review Board are being solicited and will be announced shortly.
An advisory committee composed of respected scholars, university administrators,
college or university athletic directors, members of the media, present and
former college athletes, television and corporate executives, and other
individuals involved in college sport is being established. The advisory
committee will allow for an open and candid forum for discussion of college
sport issues. The composition of the initial advisory committee will be
announced in late August.
Researchers and faculty wishing to be affiliated with CSRI are encouraged to
apply for “Faculty Affiliate” status. CSRI plans to support Faculty Affiliates’
and other researchers’ efforts with a research grant program. “We hope to
develop strong partnerships with many of the stakeholders in college sport to
support such research efforts, but the institute will remain independent of any
special interests,” Southall commented.
In support of the institute’s mission, the College Sport Research Institute
Executive Board has the following goals:
1. Create awareness of socio-cultural, economic, and political issues in college
sport.
2. Provide a forum for open discussion of relevant issues within the
college-sport community.
3. Build relationships within local, regional and national communities to
generate funding for independent critical college-sport research.
4. Generate local, regional, and national awareness of the College Sport
Research Institute and The University of Memphis as a leader in college-sport
research.
5. Educate students, scholars, athletic administrators, college athletes,
coaches, and the general public on college-sport issues.
College Sport Research Institute Executive Board:
Director: Richard M. Southall – The University of Memphis
Associate Director: Mark S. Nagel – University of South Carolina
nagelm@gwm.sc.edu
Chief Operating Officer: Deborah J. Southall – The University of Memphis
djsothll@memphis.edu
Assistant Director: Peter Han – State University of New York – Cortland
uncpeter@hotmail.com
Board Members:
Dr. Billy Hawkins – University of Georgia bhawk@uga.edu
Mr. Michael McCann – Mississippi College of Law MMccann@mc.edu
Dr. Fritz Polite – University of Tennessee fpolite@utk.edu
Dr. Allen Sack - University of New Haven ASack@newhaven.edu
Dr. Ellen Staurowsky - Ithaca College staurows@ithaca.edu
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Contact:
Dr. Richard M. Southall
Director – College Sport Research Institute
304 Roane Fieldhouse
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN 38152
901-678-3473
southall@memphis.edu
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