AASP Newsletter - November 2018
AASP 2018 Conference Recap - Toronto
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Scott Goldman, PhD, CMPC, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions, AASP President-Elect
AASP’s 33rd Annual Conference, held October 3-6, 2018, was the second largest in association history with nearly 1,150 attendees from 25 countries. Toronto served as the host venue and AASP partnered with the Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA) for an intellectually stimulating event. The conference offered more than 100 workshops, lectures, panels and symposia providing insight into the pioneering work that AASP members are doing in our field.
The conference’s impact was best illustrated in the conversations around the hallways. This year, the conversations were especially lively, as the keynote speakers’ stories, inspirational words, and lessons were often quoted. John Amaechi’s powerful and moving message about culture and progressive social initiatives in his keynote presentation, “Overpromise & Under Deliver: The Story of Organized Sport” set the tone and radiated through the course of the week. His session easily ranked as one of the best presentations delivered at AASP in the past decades.
Conference Chair, Angus Mugford, had the good fortune to interview his boss, Mark Shapiro, President/CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays about insights into decision making in pro sports – talent ID, player acquisition, talent development, team management as well as player plans and normalizing "mental goals" within MLB. The 2018 Performance Excellence Award recipient and NHL Hockey Hall of Famer, Eric Lindros, discussed life as a professional hockey star and the impact of sport psychology, both during his playing days and now.
A special panel featuring Alex Cohen (USA), Carolina Lundqvist (Sweden), Karen MacNeill (Canada), and Jean Francois Menard (Canada) discussed lessons learned from their work at the PyeongChang Olympics earlier this year. Similarly, Penny Werthner’s Coleman Griffith Lecture was progressively insightful discussing the state of the field and some challenges to manage. Dr. Werthner delivered a valuable message with warmth, humor and insight. It is easy to see why people gravitate towards her and how she has forged the field through her many contributions.
Traci Statler provided an inspiring presidential address that outlined her vision as well as the initiatives she intends to execute as president while beautifully weaving in Ken Ravizza’s sage words. The organization is in great hands. Thank you, Traci, for combining your passion and grinder’s mentality on behalf of AASP!
Several monumental organizational events occurred at this year’s conference as well. Dr. Margaret Ottley became the first Black AASP Fellow. It is the membership that makes AASP great, and Dr. Ottley is one of the people that makes the membership so special through her noteworthy contributions to the field and her supreme character. At the Business Meeting, several members of the Diversity Committee proposed a new and important Diversity and Inclusion position on the AASP Executive Board. The position was approved by those members present, and in her last official act as AASP President, Amy Baltzell formally established the position, appointing Leeja Carter to serve as the interim Diversity and Inclusion Division Head. The new E-board position will be ratified in AASP’s Constitution at next year’s conference.
It is an exciting time for AASP. A special thank you goes to the leadership group that created a new Strategic Plan to guide the organization over the next four years. The horizon is bright as these initiatives are going to lead us to some exciting new spaces. As our new presidents move us forward, it is also important to take note of our Past President’s Council which helps guide us with its experience and knowledge. Thank you for those who give much and ask very little in return; it is an honor to learn from you. The students and young professionals are the energy and lifeblood of our organization. I am grateful for those who introduced themselves and engaged in some stimulating, forward-thinking dialog during the days in Toronto. This generation of practitioners is special. It will be fun to see what happens next.
So, chalk up two big “W’s” in the Conference Planning Committee’s and Executive Board’s victory column, as the 33rd AASP Annual Conference was an incredible success. The lessons learned, the professional growth, and the relationships formed are sure to serve the field of sport and exercise psychology for decades to come. Thank you to all who attended and contributed. It was an incredible and historic conference. Toronto and the 33rd left a major impression on AASP. The anticipation for what will happen at the 34th Annual Conference in Portland is exciting. I hope to see you there.
Scott Goldman
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"Taking Responsibility" as a Key Theme
It was a pleasure to participate in the AASP 2018 conference in Toronto in so many capacities: as a presenter, a delegate, a planning committee member, and on the leadership team for the Canadian Sport Psychology Association (CSPA). The overall conference hit record attendance on Canadian soil, and so did the sub-set attendance of Canadian delegates (170+) for the conference as well as the CSPA Annual General Meeting scheduled on Friday evening, followed by a social gathering.
The highlights for me began early, starting with the Opening Keynote from John Amaechi – he was an inspiration for all delegates, and we were particularly proud to have worked so hard to get him to Toronto, given his busy consulting and speaking schedule. John’s messages of duty of care and welfare, staying authentic to values, and creating an ethical and inclusive sport community were so timely, and resonated well with the audience. That theme of “taking responsibility” for these aforementioned issues and sport’s role in social change was something on display throughout the conference – and this is a lens through which the Managing Council of CSPA is looking inwards and outwards at our role in the sport sector. From issues of psychological safety, to inclusion and diversity, brain injury prevention and treatment, professional ethics, an increase in understanding of the importance of mental preparation and health… there were so many valuable research and applied presentations on a wide range of topics.
I was also impressed by the number of subcommittees and breakout groups (I attended one on Girls and Women in Sport) and I was very buoyed by the enlightened and enthusiastic student base we are cultivating in the United States and Canada, as well as the representation from international delegates who attended from all over the world. With increased influence and awareness of our sector comes increased responsibility. I also enjoyed the opportunity to “pay it forward” at the Meet the Professionals Lunch, where I was able to cultivate meaningful dialogue with new practitioners and researchers just entering the field.
The opportunity to discuss the scope of mental performance and increased regulation and professionalism (including through the protection of the term CMPC® and a certification pathway) was also a new frontier that we are looking forward to exploring further between our associations. Strong and high-functioning North American partnerships in our field will serve all of us (and the market we serve) better, and we were grateful to be a meaningful part of AASP's 2018 conference in Toronto. Thank you to the AASP organizing committee and leadership for this valuable event and the opportunity to continue our long-standing and positive relationship.
Shaunna Taylor
