West Virginia University Professor Jack C. Watson II has been named president of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, an international professional organization that promotes the field of sport and exercise psychology.

Watson, Sport Sciences department chair with the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, assumed his role at the group’s annual conference earlier this month in Atlanta, where members from around the world convened to share the latest research and presentations in the field.

“I am passionate about applied sport and exercise psychology, and AASP is and always will be my professional home,” said Dr. Watson. “Therefore, this elected position provides me the opportunity to follow my passion and give back through leadership to AASP.”

Watson has served as a member and chair various AASP committees. He is a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, and is an active contributor to the AASP Ethics Committee.

As a professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology at WVU, Watson teaches courses, including Sport in American Society, Sport Performance Enhancement, and Social Psychology of Sport, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. As a licensed psychologist and an AASP Certified Consultant, Watson works with athletes of all levels from many sports. He has also worked with non-athletes in collegiate and community settings.

Watson’s research is focused primarily in the areas of applied sport psychology, professional issues (ethics, supervision, mentoring), youth sport and social psychology of sport. He completed his doctorate in sport psychology and post-doctoral respecialization in counseling psychology at Florida State University. Watson completed his master’s degree at WVU and his bachelor’s degree at the University of Virginia. In addition, Watson is listed in the U. S. Olympic Committee’s Sport Psychology Registry.

The Association for Applied Sport Psychology promotes ethical practice, science and advocacy in the field of sport and exercise psychology. For more information, see www.appliedsportpsych.org.

-WVU-

10/16/12

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CONTACT: Kimberly Cameon, CPASS
304-293-0827, Kimberly.Cameon@mail.wvu.edu