AASP Annual Conference

 The Association for Applied Sport Psychology holds its annual conference every fall. The goals of the conference include:  

• promoting the science and practice of sport and exercise psychology,
• providing opportunities for professional networking,
• discussing information related to theory development and research, and
• sharing ideas about the provision of psychological services to consumers. 

 

2007 Conference Recap and Highlights

Letter From Louisville: The 2007 Annual AASP Conference

Sean McCann, President-Elect

AASP went to the Louisville Kentucky this year, home of thoroughbred horse racing, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Muhammed Ali, and Louisville Slugger baseball bats.  The conference was based at the massive Galt Hotel, close by the Ohio River, and the hotel’s great indoor facilities were appreciated during a mostly rainy, cool week in Kentucky.

This year, the regular AASP conference schedule was preceded by a special Anti-doping Congress put on by jointly by AASP and USADA (US Anti-Doping Agency).  For those individuals who came in early for this Congress, the content was excellent, with athletes, coaches, parents, sport psychologists, physicians, media and anti-doping personnel all presenting fascinating data.  Special kudos to outgoing Board member Aynsley Smith for pulling this one off.  This was her vision, and without her drive, it never would have happened.  A recap and video of many presentations and a DVD of this congress are available.

AASP’s conference started off with the fun new tradition of the marching in of flags from various countries represented by AASP members.  Another new tradition was begun with the switching of  the President’s Address to kick off the conference.  Unfortunately, I have the misfortune to follow Burt’s terrific address next year.  Please read Burt’s Presidential Address on the website.if you missed it. 

Robin Vealey was the Coleman Griffith Lecture speaker this year and as always, Robin was very entertaining.  Her topic was “Sport Psychology: Field Of Dreams,” and a summary is impossible.  Highlights included movie clips, interesting theoretical models, and of course, a live Coleman Griffith who joined her on stage. 

Leonard Epstein’s Health & Exercise Psychology Keynote “Behavioral Choice Theory and Physical Activity” was data-rich and very well received by the many AASP experts in this critical area for our field.

Bob Lujano’s Performance Enhancement Keynote, “Paralympics and Sport Psychology” was a long overdue presentation on the important interplay between Paralympics and our field.  Bob, a member of the US Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby Team, did a great job presenting some of the realities of Paralympians to AASP.  For more on Bob and his sport, rent a DVD of the highly acclaimed Murderball.

C Keith Harrison, the Social Psychology Keynote, presented “Cultural Performance, Diversity and Sport: A Scholar-Baller Theory and Practice Gameplan” which highlighted another valuable program, the “scholar-baller” program that highlights academic as well as sport stars.  Dr. Harrison, in an entertaining and compelling talk, emphasized the importance of shifting cultural values and the impact of this program.

The poster sessions were of particularly high quality throughout this year.  As always, the problem is that there is too much to see, and too many paper presenters to talk to.  Nonetheless, in traditional AASP fashion, conference goers got their glass or bottle of fuel and did their best to catch up with as much data and as many people as possible. 

There were too many great presentations to highlight at the conference, but I must say I really enjoyed Thelma Horn’s invited lecture, which was a review of the coaching effectiveness literature.  It struck me during that lecture that the best of AASP is the presentation that offers something practical and energizing for student, researcher, and practitioner.  Certainly, this talk filled that bill.

Other highlights of the conference included a meeting to discuss a proposed AASP Expo in Salt Lake City in two years, a bowling alley based student social, and a couple of serendipitous Louisville gatherings right by the conference, embossed Louisville slugger bats for invited speakers, a free street concert by Three Dog Night (One IS the Loneliest Number), a street Halloween party, and the random connections of friends and colleagues that occur at every AASP conference.  This year the primary location was at the Fish Bar in the hotel.  Here’s to finding next years location for connecting with friends, the field, and new colleagues in St Louis!