Sport and Performance Psychology Faculty
GSPP SPP faculty have considerable background and experience in the practice and application of sport and performance psychology. The faculty does not teach about sport and performance psychology; rather, the faculty teach the application of sport and performance psychology. Faculty have experience working with the following populations: youth, collegiate, professional, and Olympic athletes; performing artists; military and medical personnel; and with corporate teams and individuals.
Mark Aoyagi
Director of Sport & Performance Psychology
Clinical Assistant Professor
He earned a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Sport Psychology from the University of Missouri in 2006 and was the Sport Psychology Post Doctoral Fellow at the University of Southern California. Prior to that, Mark completed a B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science and a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Utah in 1999 and a M.S. in Kinesiology, Sport Psychology emphasis from Georgia Southern University in 2001. He was the recipient of the 2005 Student-Practitioner Award from the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology for excellence in applied sport psychology.
Mark is active in several professional organizations including the American Psychological Association, Association for Applied Sport Psychology, and American College of Sports Medicine; and has several publications and national conference presentations on the topics of sport psychology, team effectiveness, and ethics among others. He also is a recognized sport psychology consultant and has worked with several Division I athletic departments as well as professional and Olympic individual athletes. Mark played rugby, football, baseball, and wrestling competitively, and now enjoys a variety of recreational sports and outdoor activities.
Selected Recent Professional Activity
Publications
Aoyagi, M. W., Cox, R. H., & McGuire, R. T. (in press). Organizational citizenship behavior in sport: Relationships with leadership, team cohesion, and athlete satisfaction. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology.
Aoyagi, M. W., Burke, K. L., Joyner, A. B., Hardy, C. J., & Hamstra, M. S. (in press). The
associations of competitive trait anxiety and personal control with burnout in sport. International Sports Journal.
Burke, K. L., Aoyagi, M. W., Joyner, A. B., & Burke, M. M. (2003). Spectators' perspectives of positive momentum while attending NCAA men's and women's basketball regular season contests: Exploring the antecedents-consequences model. Athletic Insight, 5 (3), from http://www.athleticinsight.com
Invited Presentations
Aoyagi, M. W. (2007, March). Understanding values, purpose, and success within a mentoring relationship. Presented to the University of Southern California Athletic Department Mentoring Program.
Aoyagi, M. W. (2006, October). Mastering life as a student-athlete. Presented to the University of Southern California Athletic Department.
Aoyagi, M. W. (2006, October). Becoming a successful student-athlete. Presented to the University of Southern California Athletic Department.
Aoyagi, M. W. (2006, August). Adjusting to life as a college student-athlete. Presented to the University of Southern California Athletic Department.
Aoyagi, M. W. (2006, June). Special Topics for Cal Poly Counseling Services: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Presented at California Polytechnic State University Counseling Services.
Aoyagi, M. W. (2005, December). Special Topics for Cal Poly Counseling Services: Student-Athlete culture and sport psychology consultation. Presented at California Polytechnic State University Counseling Services.
Aoyagi, M. W., & Sandstedt, S. (2004, June). Psychological responses to athletic injury: Mechanisms and intervention. Presented to the Missouri Athletic Trainers Association.
Refereed Convention Presentations (*indicates empirical)
Portenga, S. T., & Aoyagi, M. W. (2007, October). Ethical practice for consultants working directly for university athletic departments. Lecture presented at the annual conference of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, Louisville, KY.
Portenga, S. T., & Aoyagi, M. W. (2007, August). Developing a positive team environment: The USA Track & Field model. Workshop presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.
*Aoyagi, M. W., Cox, R. H., & McGuire, R. T. (2006, September). Organizational citizenship behavior in sport: Relationships with leadership, team cohesion, and athlete satisfaction. Poster presented at the annual conference of the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology, Miami, FL.
*Cox, R. H., & Aoyagi, M. W. (2006, September). Predicting student-athlete subjective performance from athlete coping skills, regulated motivation, and athlete identity. Poster presented at the annual conference of the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology, Miami, FL.
Portenga, S. T., Aoyagi, M. W., Flowers, R., & Moore, N. (2006, September). Becoming a successful protégé: Keys to developing positive mentoring relationships in sport psychology. Symposium presented at the annual conference of the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology, Miami, FL.
*Aoyagi, M. W., & Cox, R. H. (2005, October). The effects of scholarship status on intrinsic motivation. Poster presented at the annual conference of the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology, Vancouver, BC.
Aoyagi, M. W., Portenga, S. T., Blom, L. C., & Cohen, A. (2005, October). Bridging the theory-practice gulf: Interdisciplinary training to master the art of applying sport psychology science. Workshop presented at the annual conference of the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology, Vancouver, BC.
*Portenga, S., Statler, T., & Aoyagi, M. W. (2005, August). A longitudinal evaluation of sport psychology consultation: Developing team environment, engagement, and positive competitive mindset. Presented at the International Society of Sport Psychology 11th World Congress of Sport Psychology, Sydney, Australia.
Artur Poczwardowski
Associate Professor
Dr. Poczwardowski's teaching, research, and consulting activities center on applied sport psychology. Courses that he has taught include sport psychology, psycho-social aspects of sport, applied sport psychology, group dynamics in sports, motor learning and control, and research methods. He has developed a strong multicultural perspective while teaching at University of Physical Education in Gdansk (Poland), University of Utah (Salt Lake City, Utah), St. Lawrence University (Canton, New York), and Barry University (Miami Shores, Florida).
His publications and professional presentations focus on sport psychology service delivery for performance enhancement and psychological well-being, coach-athlete relationships, and coping strategies in elite performers. He published over ten articles in the leading professional journals, served as an associate editor for The Sport Psychologist , and delivered over 60 professional presentations during national and international conferences.
Since 1991, he has consulted with individual athletes and teams in a number of sports (e.g., judo, tennis, golf, soccer, ice hockey, track and field, air pistol shooting, speed skating). At the elite level, he worked with the Polish national judo teams (1992 Olympics) and St. Lawrence University Division I women's hockey team (2000/01 & 2003/04). He is a Certified Consultant, AASP (Association of Applied Sport Psychology) and is listed in USOC Sport Psychology Registry .
Dr. Poczwardowski received his Ph.D. in exercise and sport science with specialization in psychosocial aspects of sport from University of Utah, Salt Lake City (1997) and his two master's degrees from University of Physical Education in Gdansk, Poland (physical education/coaching 1989) and Gdansk University, Poland (psychology; 1991).
Selected Recent Professional Activity
Publications
Poczwardowski, A., & Lauer, L. (2006). The process of the Redondo Beach sport psychology consulting think tank. The Sport Psychologist, 20 , 74-93.
Poczwardowski, A., Barott, J. E., & Jowett, S. (2006). Diversifying approaches to research on athlete coach relationship. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 7 , 125-142.
Jowett, S., & Poczwardowski, A. (2006). Critical issues in the conceptualization of and future research on coach-athlete relationships. In S. Jowett & D. Lavallee (Eds.), Social psychology in sport (pp. 3-14) . Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Sherman, C., & Poczwardowski, A. (2005). Presenting mental skills to young teams: The why and the how of integrated instruction. In M. Andersen (Ed.), Sport psychology in practice (pp. 17-44). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Giacobbi, P. R., Poczwardowski, A., & Hager, P. (2005). A pragmatic research philosophy for sport and exercise psychology . The Sport Psychologist, 19 , 18-31 .
Poczwardowski, A., Sherman, C., & Ravizza, K. (2004). Professional philosophy in the sport psychology service delivery: Building on theory and practice. The Sport Psychologist, 18 , 415-429 .
Grosshans, O., Poczwardowski, A., Trunnell, E., & Ransdell, L. (2003). Senior faculty retrospectives on mentoring. Journal of Health Education, 34 (3), 146-153.
Poczwardowski, A., Grosshans, O., & Trunnell, E. (2003). Sustaining enthusiasm in classroom: Reinvestment strategies that work. American Journal of Health Behavior, 27 (4), 322-335.
Refereed Convention Presentations (*indicates empirical)
Poczwardowski, A. & Cremades, G. (October 26, 2007). Supervision of applied sport and exercise psychology experiences: Master's program based on AASP certification standards. AASP 22 th Annual Convention, Louisville, USA.
Sherman, C. P., & Poczwardowski, A. (September 30, 2006). Philosophically grounded in the next generation: Integrated instruction in youth physical activity settings. In A. Poczwardowski (Chair), Professional philosophy in sport psychology service delivery: Advances in reflection and research . Symposium conducted at the AAASP 21 th Annual Convention, Miami, USA. Other presenters: T. Statler, C. P. Sherman, & K. Ravizza .
* Poczwardowski, A., & Sherman, C. P. (September 30, 2006). Reflecting on professional philosophy in sport psychology service delivery: Results of qualitative investigation. In A. Poczwardowski (Chair), Professional philosophy in sport psychology service delivery: Advances in reflection and research . Symposium conducted at the AAASP 21 th Annual Convention, Miami, USA. Other presenters: T. Statler, C. P. Sherman, & K. Ravizza .
Poczwardowski, A., Barott, J., Wolfe, B., & Jowett, S. (September 29, 2006). Advancing understanding of athlete-coach relationships: Issues for research and practice . AAASP 21 th Annual Convention, Miami, USA.
Cremades, G., & Poczwardowski, A. (September 28, 2006). Master's program curriculum development based on AAASP certificatio n standards. AAASP 21 th Annual Convention, Miami, USA.
*Kiefer, A. W., Cremades, G. J., Poczwardowski, A., Rosenberg, D., & Christopher Starratt, Ch. (June 3, 2006). EEG recordings du ring the learning of a novel motor task using whole/part practice techniques . North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, USA.
Poczwardowski, A., Statler, T., Gould, D., Botterill, C., Lauer, L., Davis, P., & Fifer, A. (October 30, 2005). Advancing sport psychology knowledge: Think tank as learning strategy. AAASP 20 th Annual Convention, Vancouver, Canada.
*Wolfe, B., & Poczwardowski, A. (October 30, 2005). Predicting positive perceptions of coaching behaviors: Women's college hockey team . AAASP 20th Annual Convention, Vancouver, Canada.
*Sato, K., Poczwardowski, A., & Butcher-Mokha, M. (August 24, 2005). Relationship between ground reaction force and stability level of the lower extremity in young active adults. XXIII Convention of the International Society of Biomechanics in Sport, Beijing, China.
Poczwardowski, A., Vernacchia, R., Haberl, P., & Blecharz, J. (October 2, 2004). Political emotion and the performance of elite international athletes . AAASP 19th Annual Convention, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
*Poczwardowski, A., Coakley, C., & Kupiec, E. (March 31, 2004). Predictors of Productive Athlete- Coach Relationships in Collegiate Sports . 119 th AAHPERD National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Steve Portenga
Clinical Assistant Professor
Prior to Denver, he was at the University of California, Davis, where he did his APA Internship and a Post Doctoral Fellowship in sport psychology. After his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, Portenga coached alpine skiing for the Vail Development Team for 4 years. He then earned a M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Utah and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
In 2004, Portenga received the first Student Practitioner Award for excellence in applied sport psychology presented by the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology. Portenga has made numerous national and international presentations on issues such as coaching and team development, injury, and training issues in sport psychology.
Additionally, Portenga is in his third year as Director of Sport Psychology for the University of Denver Division of Athletics and Recreation. He provides sport psychology consulting services to all 17 NCAA Division I athletic teams, individual student-athletes, and coaches. He teaches performance enhancement skills, facilitates team building, and works with coaches to develop a positive team environment. These practices help develop student-athletes' athletic success, and more importantly, lead to excellence in the classroom and in life.
Portenga has served as a sport psychology consultant to university athletic departments since 1997. Steve has worked with numerous sports and athletes of all levels, including national and international champions. He was invited to provide sport psychology services to USA Track & Field, traveling most recently to the Dominican Republic to work with the 2006 NACAC Under-23 Championship Team.
Selected Recent Professional Activity
Invited Presentations
Portenga, S.T. (2007, November). Being mentally tough in track & field: From the playground to Beijing. Presentation at the USA Track & Field annual meeting, Honolulu, HI.
Portenga, S.T. (2007, November). Being female and being athletic: Can they coexist? Working with body image issues in elite athletes. Presentation at the U.S. Olympic Committee Performance Services Performance Nutrition Symposium, Colorado Springs, CO.
Portenga, S.T., & Raaen, G. (2007, October). Behavioral health issues of the athlete and their impact on performance. Presentation at the 2 nd Annual College Networking Seminar: “Integrating Eating Disorder Treatment in the College Environment”, Denver, CO.
Portenga, S. T. (2007, October). Ethics in sport. Presentation at the IB Ethics Conference, Denver, CO.
Portenga, S.T. & Flowers, R. (2005, April). Incorporating sport psychology performance skills in the athletic training room. Workshop conducted at the Far West Athletic Trainers' Association annual meeting, Sacramento, CA.
Portenga, S.T. & Flowers, R. (2005, April). Sport psychology in the athletic training room: Adding paints to your palette. Presentation at the Far West Athletic Trainers' Association annual meeting, Sacramento, CA.
Refereed Convention Presentations (*indicates empirical)
Portenga, S.T., Aoyagi, M.W. (2007, October). Ethical practice for consultants working directly for university athletic departments. Symposium conducted for the Association of Applied Sport Psychology annual conference, Louisville, KY.
Portenga, S.T., Aoyagi, M.W. (2007, August). Developing a positive team environment: The USA Track & Field model. Workshop conducted at the American Psychological Association annual conference, San Francisco, CA.
Portenga, S.T., Aoyagi, M.W., Flowers, R., & Moore, N. (2006, September). Becoming a successful protégé: Keys to developing positive mentoring relationships in sport psychology. Symposium conducted at the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology annual conference, Miami, FL.
Portenga, S.T. & Hall, M. (2006, September). Exploring the relationship between a positive team environment and group cohesion. Lecture conducted at the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology annual conference, Miami, FL.
Aoyagi, M., Portenga, S.T., Blom, L., & Cohen, A. (2005, October). Bridging the theory-practice gulf: Interdisciplinary training to master the art of applying sport psychology science. Symposium conducted at the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology annual conference, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
*Portenga, S.T., Statler, T., & Aoyagi, M. (2005, August). A longitudinal evaluation of sport psychology consultation: Developing team environment, engagement, and positive competitive mindset. Presented at the International Society of Sport Psychology 11 th World Congress of Sport Psychology, Sydney, Australia.
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