Department Chair's Message
Another successful year comes to an end
As the summer approaches, I am so grateful for the wonderful faculty, staff and students in the SLAM department. We had a very successful year, as you will read below in the Spring 2023 newsletter. Please notice several highlights from the past semester. Dr. Robin Vealey was the first faculty member in the history of our department (including SLAM, KNH, PHS, HPR and before) to be awarded the Benjamin Harrison Medallion, which is the highest honor given to any faculty member at Miami University for outstanding teaching, research, and service. The second group of SLAM students, led by Dr. Chelsea (Police) Meyers, completed the spring semester abroad at the John E. Dolibois European Center in Luxembourg. While our first class of students in the Master of Sport Analytics program graduated, along with another outstanding group of SLAM Masters students. Monica Streit is retiring this June and will be missed. She made a lasting impact on the department as she modeled great competence and kindness in all that she did. Alumni Weekend is June 9-10 and if you are on campus, please stop by the SLAM office at 118 Laws Hall. Thanks to Dr. Adam Beissel, graduate assistant Lauren Chapman and the SLAM Comms team for their work on this newsletter. Have a happy and healthy summer. Love & Honor.
Dr. Melissa Chase
Professor and Department Chair
Department of Sport Leadership & Management
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Congratulations to SLAM Faculty Dr. Robin Vealey for being awarded the Benjamin Harrison MedallionSLAM Professor and Director of Graduate Studies Dr. Robin Vealey is the 2023 recipient of the Benjamin Harrison Medallion Award. This award is one of the most significant reconitions Miami has to offer faculty for extraordinary and sustained contributions related to teaching, research, and service over the course of their career at the University. Read more about Dr. Vealey's accomplishment HERE. Congratulations Dr. Vealey!
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Farewell To Monica Streit
Celebrating 33 years of service to Miami University
Monica will retire this June from Miami University after 33 years. She first worked in the front office of Student Health Services for over two decades. A life event inspired her to invest 8 1/2 years to earn her degree in communication. Monica moved to the Dean's Office of the College Education, Health and Society in 2013, then ended her journey in the SLAM department. The greatest lesson she learned during her time at Miami was that it is important to treat everyone the same. During retirement Monica plans to exercise in the pool at the Rec Center, travel with her husband, watch her grandchildren's sporting events, and expand her basket weaving hobby. On behalf of the entire SLAM department, we want to thank Monica for her contributions to Miami and wish her well in this next chapter of her life.
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| Selected Faculty Publications
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Dr. Christine Pacewicz
Factor analysis with ordered categorical indicators and measurement of self-efficacy in physical activity contexts: A substantive-methodological synergy.
In her study, Dr. Pacewicz provided a tutorial regarding the use of factorial analysis with ordered categorical indicators. In particular, her article provided a tutortial by conducting a factor analysis using simulated self-efficacy responses that were ordered categorical in nature. This provides a blueprint for other researchers to follow so they can decrease the risk of analytical errors when they use this method in the future. Co-author Chris Hill is a M.S. in SLAM Alum, 2014.
Myers, N. D., Pacewicz, C. E., Hill, C. R., & Chun, H. (in press). Factor analysis with ordered categorical indicators and measurement of self-efficacy in physical activity contexts: A substantive-methodological synergy. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science. https://doi.org/10.1080/1091367X.2023.2186789.
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Dr. Bo Li & Dr. Jerry Wang
Understanding Chinese consumers' media behaviors during Tokyo 2020: An exploration of media consumption among different generations
The sudy by Dr. Li and Dr. Wang investigated the media consumption habits of Chinese audiences during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, given the prevalence of new technology and digital media. Results from a survey of 383 participants showed that social media, TV, and digital media were the most popular platforms for watching the games. The researchers found that there were also generational differences in media behaviors, motivations, and preferences, and traditional sports like badminton and table tennis remained the most popular across different generations.
Li, B., Scott, O. K., Wang, J. J., & Xiao, L. (2023). Understanding Chinese consumers' media behaviors during Tokyo 2020: An exploration of media consumption among different generations. International Journal of Sport Communication, 1(aop), 1-13.
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| Selected Faculty Presentations
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Dr. Callie Maddox
Presents research at the SABR/IWBC Women in Baseball Annual Conference
Dr. Callie Maddox presented research at the Women in Baseball Conference. Her presentation examined the use of baseball in the sport for development and peace (SDP) movement, specifically in cultural contexts where baseball lacks the gendered meanings that mark it solely as a sport for boys and men. Baseball is uniquely situated in the SDP sector to foster gender equality and opportunities for girls and women to play. This potential was explored through an analysis of several SDP projects and organizations that strategically utilize baseball as a tool for wider community development.
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Dr. Brody Ruihley Presents research at International Association for Communication and Sport
Hosted in Barcelona, Spain, Dr. Ruihley presented his research on sports betting and its relationship with college students. When asked, Dr. Ruihley mentioned that the IACS is one of his favorite associations to be a part of and he is proud to have served on its Board of Directors since 2010. In addition to reuniting with great colleagues, Ruihley said one highlight of the trip was visiting Basilica de La Sagrada Família and experiencing the beauty of the architecture and color.
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Dr. Jordan Goffena
Presents research at Queen's College
SLAM Faculty Dr. Goffena presented at the Educational Psychology Lecture Series at Queen's College in March. His presentation described how the theory of Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) can be directly applied to the field of Sport and Exercise Psychology. SRL for sport performance provides guidance for athletes to develop a regulatory mindset to "control the controllables" during sport learning, which can, in turn, facilitate their ability to transfer those mental skills from practice to competition.
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A Student's Perspective:
Jack Mueller
Jack is a junior with a double major in Sport Leadership & Management and Journalism. Jack has accepted a position with the independent Chicago Dogs in Rosemont, IL this summer. He will be working as a front office data intern responsible for taking videos of the players during practice and games. He mentioned that building a career in Baseball Analytics has allowed him to be involved with the sport he loves, even if he is not on the field. One of Jack's academic highlights is his SLAM study abroad experience traveling to London to examine the management and culture of English soccer. He was able to experience the variety of clubs and fan bases overseas and gain a new insight to global sports.
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A Student's Perspective:
Shelby Wright
Shelby is a junior Sport Leadership & Management student from Ventura, California. She serves as an athletics communications and media intern with Miami University Athletics. Shelby ran the video-board at softball games, assisted with stats during ice hockey games, and photographed numerous varsity sporting events (e.g., men and women’s MAC Swimming championships, ice hockey, baseball, softball, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball). She is also a student manager for the men's ice hockey program through Sport and Facility Services. Shelby coached figure skating students of various ages and skill levels and taught them about testing and competition goals. As a coach, Shelby choreographed group numbers in preparation for Goggin’s annual ice show. Shelby also serves as the President of the Women in Sport Leadership student organization, where she planned and led numerous meetings and continues to build a supportive community for women in sports.
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| SLAM Presents Research at Midwest Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium
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SLAM Sport Psychology Graduate Students Present research at Midwest Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium 2023
A group of SLAM faculty and graduate students in sport pyschology attended the Midwest Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium at Ball State University from February 17-18, 2023. Multiple graduate students presented their current research at the conference. Jaelyn Bean presented a poster about her project Youth Athletes’ Perceptions of Mental Performance, and Will Hack presented a poster about his research proposal titled Perspectives of Division-One University Student Athletes On the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic. Erin Frolich and Lauren Chapman gave oral presentations on their research. Erin's research investigates Perceptions of Mental Skills Training and The Promotion of Athlete Mental Health by Certified Mental Performance Consultants, and Lauren's research focuses on The Moderating Role of Social Comparison on the Relationship Between Social Media Use and Runner Well-being. Thanks to Dr. Bob Weinberg (Professor Emeriti) for his generous and continued financial support of graduate students with interests in sport psychology.
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Research Seminars in SLAM
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Dr. Jerred Wang & Dr. Ryan ChenUnderstanding Sport Performance and Sport Business Analytics
Dr. Jerry Wang and Dr. Ryan Chen discussed the emerging field of sport analytics during February's Research Seminar in SLAM session. During their talk, they introduced the scope and techniques of sport analytics research and discussed emerging trends in the field. Research projects on load management in sport performance and text mining in sport business were delineated to showcase the topic selection, research design, and methodology in sport analytics. SLAM faculty and graduate students discussed relevant research interests in sport coaching, sport psychology, and socio-cultural sport studies. Thoughts on cross-field collaborations were also shared.
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Dr. Nick Galli
Evolution, Application, and Synchronicity in Sport Psychology
Dr. Nick Galli ('05 M.S.) returned to Miami University for the first time in more than a decade to deliver April's Research Seminar in SLAM. Nick is an Associate Professor in Health and Kinesiology at the University of Utah. In his presentation, he reflected on experiences from the first 15 years in his career as a researcher and scholar in the area of psychosocial health and wellbeing in elite athletes. Nick is one of SLAM's most distinguished alumns.
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Columbus Crew Visits Campus
On February 13, the Columbus Crew's ticket sales director, Ian Shaw, visited Miami University. He delivered a sports sales talk and provided interview opportunities for students interested in the sports sales industry. The visit provided a valuable opportunity for SLAM students to connect with professionals in the soccer industry and learn about the ins-and-outs of sports sales.
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SLAM Graduate Students Cover Miami Men’s Basketball Game
On February 21, SLAM graduate students had an outstanding experience as credentialed media guests covering the Miami Men's Basketball team's home game against Bowling Green State University. During the game, students were able to attend press conferences and media interviews and even had the opportunity to conduct a 1-on-1 interview with Coach Travis Steele. Thank you so much to SLAM alumnus Lamar Conard ('21) for organizing this opportunity.
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Students Visit Cleveland CavaliersOn March 6th, SLAM students within the sport analytics major and concentration attended the Business Analytics Night held by the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Led by SLAM faculty Dr. Ryan Chen, students were actively engaged in the panel discussion with the Cavs business analytics team. Moreover, students explored future career opportunities through networking with the staff members and specialists from the analytics and management departments within the organization.
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Students Visit Chicago Bulls
On March 5th, 30 students from the SLAM club had an incredible opportunity to visit the Chicago Bulls. During their visit, the students had the privilege of participating in a networking panel with esteemed front office staff members, including Kim Hoefert, Cody Potter, Caroline Owen, and SLAM alumnus Sam Kritikos ('22). The panelists generously shared their personal experiences working in the sport industry and provided valuable tips and tricks for students looking to jumpstart their careers.
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Golden State Warriors and ESL Gaming visit SLAM
In April, Andre Price, the manager of the Golden State Warriors, and Yao Williams, the Vice President of Global Brand Partnership at ESL Gaming, visited SLM 416 - Sport Marketing to judge the students' sponsorship pitch presentations. Both of the visitors are Miami alumni, and they shared their experiences in sports marketing and sponsorship while providing thoughtful feedback to the students' presentations.
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Virtual Sport Career Exploration & Networking Expo
On February 24th, SLAM students had the opportunity to attend virtual Sport Career Exploration & Networking Expo (SCENE), an event to network with various employers. Employers represented many areas within the sport industry, including Tourism, Higher Education, Nonprofit, Sport & Leisure, Construction, and Advertising, and PR & Marketing. Notable employers included: Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, FC Cincinnati, Game Day Communications, Cleveland Cavaliers Holdings LLC, United States Tennis Association, among others. Plans are already being made for this event to return for the 23-24 academic year!
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Students Learn About Anxiety Management in Sport
Students enrolled in SLM 375 - Psychological Perspectives in Sport class taught by Dr. Christine Pacewicz participated in a hands-on workshop on anxiety management in sports. Student in this course examine the antecedents and consequences of individual and group behavior in sport and exercise settings. For this workshop, students learned to use a biofeedback device (eVu TPS) to understand physiological responses to stress and anxiety and how we can change these responses with breath control.
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SLAM Students Support the USWNT in New ZealandOver winter-break, 33 students traveled to New Zealand as part of the annual SLAM, faculty-led study abroad: Sport, Management, and Culture in the Global Marketplace. Led by faculty co-directors Dr. Adam Beissel and Dr. Sam Morris, the program, now in its 6th year, has taken more than 200 students to New Zealand to study the global and local complexities of the New Zealand sport industry. While in New Zealand, students are given a firsthand glimpse at the New Zealand sport industry through a range of different activities: lectures from prominent New Zealand scholars; meetings with sport organizations and funding bodies; visits to globally well knwon sport facilities and venues; and physical activities to test students' skills at various local sport traditions such as rugby, cricket, and netball.
This year's program was particularly special as it conincided with the U.S. Women's National Team's (USWNT) visit to New Zealand in preparation for the upcomoming 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Students were able to cheer on the red, white, and blue by attending a friendly match between the USWNT and the New Zealand Football Ferns in Wellington, New Zealand.
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SLAM 'Signature Program' Takes Students to Luxembourg
The SLAM Department has been designated a 'signature program' by Miami University Global Initiatives to take a cohort of students to Luxembourg every spring semester. Eleven SLAM students spent the entire semester studying with SLAM faculty member Dr. Chelsea Meyers at the Dolibois Center in Luxembourg. This year's cohort enrolled in courses focused on the globalization of sport and a special topics course on intercollegiate athletics. In addition, students got the opportunity to interact and collaborate with LUNEX University students and learn more about sport in Europe.
While in Luxembourg, Dr. Chelsea Meyers taught a guest lecture on Trends in Intercollegiate Athletics, focusing specifically on Name, Image, and Likeness and Gender Equity, to students studying sport management at LUNEX.
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Spring Breakers Travel to London to Study English Soccer Management
Over spring-break, 22 SLAM students traveled to London (United Kingdom) as part of a short-term, faculty-led study abroad: the Management and Culture of English Soccer. This program, led by Dr. Adam Beissel, is designed for students to develop a cross-cultural understanding of soccer's global management, marketing, and facility development. During the 10-day program, students visited, met with, and attended matches for various soccer clubs in English soccer: Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, West Ham, Queens Park Rangers, Leyton Orient, AFC Wimbledon, and Charlton Athletic. As part of their journey, students were interviewed pre-match by Charlton Athletic and features on their club's website HERE.
A program highlight for this year was attending the Premier League match between current title-favorites Arsenal against London-rivals Crystal Palace. The match, attended by more than 60,000 supporters, was a memorable experience for the study abroad students. It will take on even greater meaning if Arsenal manage to hoist the Premier League trophy at the end of the season.
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SLAM Faculty on Podcasts:Dr. Adam Beissel on "Faded glory: The ethics and politics of international sport mega-events”
In February, SLAM Faculty Dr. Adam Beissel delivered a lecture for the Miami University Winter College. Adam discussed the ethics, politics, and economics of international and sport mega-events like the Olympics and the World Cup. If you would like to listen to the full interview click HERE.
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SLAM Faculty on Podcasts:
Dr. Jordan Goffena on "Self-Regulated Learning Into Practice”
Dr. Jordan Goffena was featured in an interview titled "SRL Into Practice," presented by the American Educational Research Association Studying and Self-Regulated Learning Special Interest Group. In the interview, Goffena discusses topics such as self-regulation, competition, social loafing, self-concept development, and more. Watch the entire interview on YouTube HERE.
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| Club Corner
SLAM Club
Advisor: Dr. Sam Morris
This semester the SLAM Club had the oppourtunity to get involed with many activites in the department. They welcomed guest speaker Sean Henry, President of the Nashville Predators, hosted Shawn Mather ('22), Account Executive from FC Cincinnati, organized a trip to the United Center in Chicago, and held a March Madness bracket challenge for members.
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Congratulations to Dr. Adam Beissel on his Tenure and Promotion to Associate Professor
Dr. Adam Beissel's research and teaching focus is on the geopolitical economy of global sport. In particular, his research investigates 6 main themes: The political economy of sport mega-events; The geopolitics of sport; Sport stadiums and urban development; Social and economic (in)justice in collegiate sport; Sports labor markets and global athletic migration; And sport, globalization, and the contemporary global economy.
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SLAM students compete at the 2023 National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship
Congratulations to our SLAM students who recently represented Miami University at the National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship. We are proud to announce that two of our students made it to the Top 16 in the ticket sales division and corporate partnerships division respectively.
Tyler Einwechter, a senior from Waterloo, Canada, performed exceptionally well in the ticket sales division, making it to the third round (Sweet 16) of the competition. Luke Depolito, a senior from North Andover, MA, also demonstrated his remarkable skills in the corporate partnership division, making it to the 2nd round (Sweet 16). We would also like to give a special shoutout to Mac Bauer (senior, Birmingham, MI) and Mitchell Bricker (senior, Dublin, OH) who also competed in the NCSSC and put in great effort and dedication throughout the competition
This is the third year that SLAM students have competed in the National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship. Thanks to Dr. Bo Li for preparing and mentoring the SLAM students.
Tyler was successful in using these experiences to secure a full-time position with the Colorado Avalanche in Denver, Colorado after graduation.
Mitchell was also successful in landing a full-time role with the Denver Nuggets in Denver, Colorado after graduation.
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Tommy Fowler wins 2023 National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championship
A storm of challenges couldn’t stop Tommy Fowler ('23) from defeating the competition at the National Collegiate Sports Analytics Championship in Waco, TX. Tommy used the skills and experience he learned from this event to land a job after graduation as a business intelligence analyst with LogiTix.
Find an article with more information about Tommy's experience winning the National Collegiate Sport Analytics Competition HERE.
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SLAM Women's Mentorship Grant
Liz Grossman was one of five SLAM students to receive the SLAM Women's Mentorship Grant. The SLAM women's mentorship program pairs five Miami alumni working in the sport industry with five current SLAM students for a year of mentoring that includes workshops, professional development, and job shadowing.
Liz reflects on her experience with the program:
"For my mentorship, I was paired with Cay Young who works global partnerships with Evil Geniuses. However, she had to cancel at the last minute so I was able to still attend LCS at LCS Arena where I learned a lot about how professional esports are run and was shocked that it was a fan seating sellout. I also had the opportunity to work with Amanda Gray, Director of Creative for the LA Kings and got to see Dustin Brown's retirement ceremony and watch my home team lose 6-0. Overall, it was a really impactful experience which related to a lot of my SLAM courses, especially with the ideas of sport as spectacle and sport is an ever-changing landscape." -Liz Grossman
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Most Commended Faculty of 2022
Each year Miami University asks graduating students about faculty or staff members who made a positive impact on their learning and development while at Miami. Three faculty members from the SLAM Department were among the top 100 most commended faculty and staff for 2022. Congratulations to Adam Beissel, Callie Maddox, and Robin Vealey!
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Congratulations to SLAM staff members Shelley Rye and Warren Mandrell for Winning PRIDE Awards!
SLAM Senior Program Assistant Shelley Rye and Coordinator of Physical Activity and Life Skills Warren Mandrell recently won a Miami Performance Resulting In Distinguished Excellence (PRIDE) Awards for going above an beyond for their work in the department. Thank you for your amazing work Shelley and Warren!
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Congratulations to SLAM Faculty Dr. Chelsea Meyers for Winning the President's Award from SRLA!SLAM faculty member Dr. Chelsea Meyers was recognized with the President's Award from the Sport and Recreation Law Association! The President's Award was given to Chelsea for her work as the organization's co-social media manager. Contratulations Dr. Meyers!
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Alumni Spotlight:
Lindsey Ellis
Lindsey Ellis is currently the Founder, Head Coach, and Director of Hockey Operations for Arizona State University Women's Hockey Team. She single-handedly started the women's hockey team in 2015. She won the 2022 WWCHL Coach of the Year and her team won the 2023 WWCHL Championship in February.
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Alumni Spotlight: Ryan Solis
Miami University Alum Ryan Solis is finishing a 9-month role with the Kansas City Chiefs as as corporate partnership assistant. He has recently accepted a full-time position in Corporate Partnership Strategy with the Chicago White Sox.
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Connect with Students and AlumniSeek advice, be a mentor, make connections
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