Rowan hosts largest Mid-Atlantic Regional Sport Psychology Conference to date

The Rowan-Virtua Rita & Larry Salva School of Nursing & Health Professions’ Department of Health and Exercise Science hosted the largest Mid-Atlantic Regional Sport Psychology Conference to date on February 22. Now in its third year at Rowan, the event welcomed 120 attendees, including professionals, graduate students, and undergraduate students. 

The event featured 30 presenters representing institutions such as Temple University, Princeton University, James Madison University, Penn State Berks, and the United States Military Academy at West Point, as well as private consulting businesses. 

The day began with a welcome note from Dr. Peter Rattigan, dean of the Rita & Larry Salva School of Nursing & Health Professions, followed by a keynote address from Dr. Stephany Coakley of Temple University. Coakley’s presentation, “Innovate to Elevate: Leveraging Technology to Transform Mental Health Services and Empower Student-Athletes,” explored how technology can improve mental health support for athletes. 

Throughout the conference, attendees engaged in symposiums, panel discussions, workshops, and research presentations on a range of topics in sport and performance psychology. Sessions included “Culture of Success: Building the Heart of an Athletic Team,” a workshop led by Jordan Campbell of Chestnut Hill College, and “So You Feel Like an Imposter… Welcome to the Club!” presented by a faculty member and doctoral students from James Madison University. 

One of the event’s highlights was the symposium “In Memory of Dr. Jessica Lutkenhouse: Eating Disorders and Sport,” which brought together experts to discuss the intersection of mental health and athletics. Another popular session, “Play Like a G.I.R.L.: Empowering Female Athletes' Mental Health in Male-Dominated Sports,” focused on mental wellness and inclusivity in athletics. 

Attendees praised the conference for its engaging sessions, networking opportunities, and professional development. “I was very impressed with the workshops and the format of the sessions. The presenters were very knowledgeable and professional,” one attendee said. Another noted, “I absolutely loved how the speakers let themselves be vulnerable while sharing such insightful and knowledgeable information.” 

Many also highlighted the welcoming and collaborative environment of the conference. “The intimacy and ability to network, combined with informative, applied sessions, made this a fantastic experience,” an attendee shared. Another called it “an incredibly well-organized, informative conference” and expressed interest in returning for future events. 

Rowan will host the conference again in February 2026, with details to be announced.