Applied Sports Psychology and Injury Research and Education Lab

Focusing on the intersection of sport injury and psychology

The mission of the Applied Sports Psychology and Injury Research and Education Lab (ASPIRE) is to create valuable learning experiences, produce interdisciplinary research and deliver education to improve client outcomes. ASPIRE offers students enrolled in our bachelor’s and master’s in kinesiology programs who aim to enter any health, wellness and/or fitness-related field with hands-on learning research, education and resource development opportunities. It was founded by John Coumbe-Lilley and Karrie Hamstra-Wright, both are award winning educators with over two decades of experience leading hundreds of students through experiential learning projects.

Our goals Heading link

Our goals

1. Provide students the opportunity to engage in professional development, collaborative research, and educational delivery

2. Improve the health and recovery of individuals through clinically-driven research

3. Offer educational opportunities for individuals and communities

Scroll down to meet or join our team!

Recovering from injury? Join our Resilient Athlete Program. Heading link

Resilient Athlete Program

ASPIRE Lab provides direct services through its Resilient Athlete Program (RAP), an opportunity for youth and adult athletes of all ages to receive complimentary one-on-one support and coaching as they recover from acute or chronic injury. RAP athletes gain insight and understanding of injury and emotional recovery. Additionally, RAP athletes learn how to improve confidence, reduce fear, develop coping skills, lower anxiety, and build resilience.

Learn more

Interested in becoming a lab member? Read on! Heading link

To apply to be an ASPIRE Lab member, you must be an undergraduate kinesiology student, sophomore standing or above, and able to commit to a minimum of two semesters of research in the lab. Hours earned by lab members count towards experiential learning credit.

Benefits
Most students who’ve completed research and project work with Drs. Coumbe-Lilley and Hamstra-Wright have gone on to complete professional degrees in athletic training, counseling, health/wellness coaching, medicine, nursing, occupational or physical therapy, personal training, psychology, strength & conditioning, and social work, among others.

Differentiate yourself from other students who apply for graduate and professional school
Obtain a unique opportunity for professional skills and career development
Develop relationships with peers and faculty
Operate in a high expectation environment
Receive supervision and mentoring
Participate in meaningful work
Develop research skills
Earn six credit hours

How to Join the Lab
We interview students every spring semester to join the ASPIRE the following fall and spring semesters. A maximum of 16 placements are available per academic year. To apply to join:

Look for the application to open beginning of March 2025
Complete the ASPIRE Lab Application below no later than Friday, April 4, 2025
Look for an email on your application status 1-2 weeks after the application deadline
Prepare for a professional interview (interviews will be scheduled for the first week of May)

Apply to join ASPIRE Lab

Student Research Bulletin Heading link

The purpose of this student-created bulletin is to provide individuals with useful summaries of current research published within the last three months investigating topics on the intersection of sport injury and psychology. The summaries are meant to be a brief, understandable, and practical resource for athletes, clinicians, researchers, and students.