A Tribute to Al Petitpas

Burt Giges, MD, CC-AASP, Springfield College
Judy Van Raalte, PhD, CC-AASP, Springfield College

Al came to Springfield College in 1978, created the Athletic Counseling program in the Department of Psychology, and has been its Director or Co-Director since. He served as Chair of the Psychology Department from 1984-1987, Director of the National Football Foundation Center for Youth Development from 2002-2007, and Director of the Center for Youth Development and Research, 2007-present, both at Springfield.

He is currently a Fellow and Certified Consultant within AASP, and has served as Chair of its Ethics and Intervention/Performance Enhancement Committees in the past.

Over the years, Al has been involved in the design, implementation, and evaluation of some of the largest youth development through sport programs in the US, such as the NFF “Play it Smart” and “The First Tee”. In addition, he has served as a Consultant to several national organizations, including the US Olympic Committee, NBA, LGPA, US Ski team, NCAA Youth Education through Sport, and the Pop Warner Coach Education Program. 

Al also made time to provide consultation to many local college programs as a lecturer, instructor, counselor, as well as to conduct a private practice in athletic counseling as well as marriage and family counseling. His special interests include youth development, counseling, life skills, transitions in sport, client-counselor relationships, and community youth development.

He has written and spoken about his work in more than 50 peer-reviewed articles, 40 book chapters, and over 150 presentations at conferences, meetings, and training sessions around the world. He also co-authored a book on Athletes’ Guide to Career Planning, and participated in several Virtual Brands sport psychology videos.

Al has served on the Editorial Boards of JASP, Athletic Therapy Today, Applied Research in Coaching and Athletics, Rebound: An Injury Recovery Guide, International Journal of Sport Sciences & Coaching, and the Journal of Sport Psychology in Action.

For his work, he has received the following awards:

• Springfield College Research Award (1988, 1991)
• Gimbel Child and Family Participating Scholar (1998)
• Professional Practice Career Award – APA Division 47 (2000)
• Founders’ Award (PGA, LPGA, PGA Tour, USGA, & Augusta National Golf Club)
• Springfield College Distinguished Professor of Humanics (2008-2009)

After 38 years, Al Petitpas has decided to retire from Springfield College in order to focus on programming in community youth development. His impact on the body of knowledge in sport psychology has been impressive, and his numerous contributions and accomplishments will continue to influence practitioners, teachers, researchers, and graduate students in the future.