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.

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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.

woman crouches on a track holding her knee

Resilient Athlete Program

ASPIRE Lab provides direct services through its Resilient Athlete Program (RAP), a opportunity for any adult athlete >18 years to receive complimentary one-on-one support and consulting 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!

Undergraduate kinesiology or psychology students: Minimum two semester commitment. Hours count toward experiential learning credit. Sophomores and above are encouraged to apply.

Kinesiology graduate students: Performance, sport and exercise psychology track students may apply.  Minimum of two semester commitment. Education delivery hours may apply to supervision hours for AASP Certified Mental Performance Coach credential.

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

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How to join the lab

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

  1. Look for the application to open beginning of March 2023
  2. Complete the ASPIRE Lab Application below no later than Friday, April 7, 2023
  3. Look for an email on the status of your application approximately 1-2 weeks after the application deadline
  4. Prepare an interview as if you are preparing for your dream job (interviews will be scheduled for the first week of May)

Student research bulletin

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.

Our team

  • JCL

    John Coumbe-Lilley, ASPIRE Co-Director

    Clinical Professor, Licensed Professional Counselor, Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Certified Mental Performance Coach

  • KHW

    Karrie Hamstra-Wright, ASPIRE Co-Director

    Clinical Professor and Certified Athletic Trainer

  • ED

    Eddin Djelovic, Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Kinesiology Student

  • CK

    Connor Kahoun, Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Kinesiology Student

  • TM

    Travis Morales, Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Psychology Student

  • JS

    Jacqueline Santibanez, Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Psychology Student

  • JP

    Jahnvi Patel, ASPIRE Lab Alumnus

    Kinesiology Graduate

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JCL KHW

Ready to take the next step? We're here for you.

Our ASPIRE Lab team meetings are open to the public. Come see and learn what we’re about! We meet in person or via Zoom the 2nd and 3rd Fridays of each month from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Contact us if you’d like to join a meeting or with any other questions.

You can contact us at: