Board of Directors

Dr. Wayne Jacobs
Interim President (2023-2024)

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Wayne is currently serving as a professor of Kinesiology at LeTourneau University. He has been a member of CSKLS since 2008, served as a board member from 2013-2015, President from 2019-2021, and has been active in presenting at each conference. Wayne is very interested in faith integration, mentoring, and spiritual health. He received his doctoral degree from Texas A&M University in 1994. His research focused on demographic characteristics of health teachers in the state of Texas. His latest book is The Strong Temple: A man’s guide to spiritual and physical health. Wayne is married to Karen, has three adult children, is an avid Star Trek and Star Wars fan, and is learning to relax in his spare time.

Dr. Jordan Schools
President-Elect (2023-2024)

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Jordan loves teaching but loves getting to know her students and how she can help them succeed in classroom, on the field, and in their careers! Jordan has served on the board previously as a student board member and is currently serving as a member-at-large. At the conference this year, she will become the President-Elect. We are excited about her new position and can’t wait to see where her leadership takes us.

Jordan is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas. Jordan received her master’s degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Psychology and Motor Learning from the University of Tennessee and her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Johnson University. Her dissertation title is “We Just Wanna Learn Too”: Student-Athletes’ Perceptions of Stereotyping, Care, and Academic Performance. Jordan cares for her students like they were her own children! She has previously served as an associate athletic director overseeing student-athlete development. She comes from a missionary family and has spent extensive time overseas creating, implementing, and maintaining sport programs for the purpose of ministry. In her free time, she loves working out with her daughter, Kylee, and watching sports with her husband, Joey.

Dr. Andrew Meyer
Past President (2023-2024)

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Andrew R. Meyer (PhD, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2010) is currently an Assistant Professor of Sport Foundations at Baylor University teaching in the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation. His research examines the interplay between athletes, contemporary American sport culture and religion. More specifically, he examines how historical muscular Christian values and themes persist in contemporary American sport, and evidenced through media representations of athlete hero-icons. His research and publication areas include sport ideology in the contemporary social context, muscular Judaism, Radical Orthodoxy, sport media, disability and health in religious contexts, and meaning creation at “for-cause” athletic events. His articles have appeared in the International Journal of Sport and Society, the International Review for the Sociology of Sport, Journal of Religion and Popular Culture, and Practical Theology, as well as book chapters in sport history and sport policy compilations.

Dr. Matthew D. Ruiz
Treasurer (2023-2024)

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Matthew is the director of graduate studies in Exercise and Human Performance and a tenured professor of kinesiology at Lipscomb University. Matthew previously served CSKLS as a board member at large from 2011-2014, as president from 2015-2017, and as conference host in 2017 and 2021. Matthew is a certified performance coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation. He earned an MBA degree from Lipscomb in 2018, a PhD in sport psychology from the University of Minnesota in 2008, an MS in sport psychology from Springfield College in 2001, and a BS from Lipscomb in exercise science and athletic training in 1999. Matthew’s recent research includes 1) psychotheology of losing, and 2) experiences of race and covert racism in Division 1 athletics.

Prof. Joey Schools
Secretary (2023-2024)

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Joey is an Adjunct Professor of Business at LeTourneau University in Longview, TX. He is currently in his PhD program through the University of the Cumberlands and received his MBA from Johnson University in Knoxville, TN. His teaching interests are leadership development, international business, and accounting. Joey’s love of sport came from early on when he played baseball growing up and eventually switched to playing basketball in college. Joey’s research interests focus on NIL, leadership, and student financial welfare and preparedness. Joey loves spending time with his family and cheering on the Volunteers.

Dr. Marc Apkarian
Board Member-at-Large (2021-2024)
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Marc’s interests are in the areas of exercise physiology, fitness evaluation, health promotion, and disease prevention. He holds a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology, is an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Exercise Physiologist, and a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. His courses include Exercise Physiology, Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Exercise in Health and Disease, Psychology of Exercise and Health, Exercise Professional Certification Preparation, Directed Studies, and he facilitates internships and an on-campus practicum as well. He incorporates didactic education, practical skill acquisition, applied learning methods, current equipment, and professional development opportunities to empower students to think analytically, inquire critically, solve problems, and reach others. He especially enjoys developing and incorporating ways to integrate Christian faith in teaching a range of Kinesiology and Health-related topics and is passionate about enabling students to develop a deep appreciation for the stewardship of personal health, well-being, and the design of the human body.
Dr. Laci McRee
Board Member-at-Large (2021-2024)

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Dr. Laci McRee has served at ETBU since 2011 as an Associate Professor of Kinesiology in the Frank S. Groner School of Professional Studies, teaching in the undergraduate and graduate programs. Before joining ETBU, she served as faculty at Texas Wesleyan University, Texas Woman’s University, University of North Texas, and Tarrant County Community College. Dr. McRee earned her Bachelor of Science with a double major in kinesiology and psychology from East Texas Baptist University, a Master of Science in kinesiology-sport psychology from the University of North Texas, and a Ph.D. in kinesiology-sport management from Texas Woman’s University. Her scholarly work varies from textbook chapters, international peer-reviewed research journals, and presentations at academic conferences. Her greatest joy has come from developing courses that equip students to enter their professional careers. Throughout her career, God has called her an effective educator who promotes academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment by equipping students to thrive as world changers in their professional practice.

Prof. Lori Peters
Board Member-at-Large (2022-2025)

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Lori fell in love with active play and sport at a very young age, moving later to competitive basketball, softball, volleyball, tennis, track and field, soccer and field hockey. Due to a strong call to train for Christian ministry, she turned down multiple Canadian and US basketball scholarships to attend Briercrest College in 1981. She was named a CCAA All-Canadian in both her freshman and sophomore years but was forced to “retire” early with overuse knee injuries, beginning her pursuit of coaching and officiating roles at the youth, high school, club and collegiate levels. Returning to Briercrest from 1987-99, she served in many roles, including an executive assistant, Clipper women’s basketball coach, league commissioner, and the 1989 Canada Summer Games women’s basketball assistant coach for Team Saskatchewan. Lori taught activity courses at Trinity Western University from 2003-2008 while running the Valley Basketball Academy with husband, Stan and completing a MS Physical Education Teacher Education degree at West Virginia University (Go Mountaineers!!). She returned to Briercrest as a faculty member in 2008 and is the only kinesiology professor on Faculty Senate so attendance at many CSKLS conferences for 25 years has served a vital role due to the breadth of topics covered, the fellowship and inspiration to keep going!

Her personal interests include supporting their three grown daughters, Jill, Chelsea and Megan and 2.5 sons-in-law (.5 is the one being added at a July/23 wedding!), following the West Virginia U Mountaineers, all the Briercrest College Clippers teams (Stan is the AD, so she gets the inside scoop!), playing flute in the college orchestra and church worship team, water activities at their cabin on Buffalo Pound Lake, gardening, and as of late, pickleball.

Mike Hanik
Board Member-at-Large (2023-2025)

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Originally from Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, Mike grew up participating in a variety of sports. In university, Mike played basketball at Trinity Western University and Simon Fraser University. Mike completed a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University. Mike completed his Master of Education in Sports Administration from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Mike is an Instructional Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management at Texas A&M University. In this role, Mike teaches activity classes, wellness classes, and coaching of soccer. Mike is a pickleball enthusiast. He serves as the advisors for the Texas A&M Pickleball Club, directs local tournaments, and plays several times per week. Mike officiates basketball and soccer in his local community.

Mike and his wife Amy live in College Station, Texas. They have four adult children: Benjamin, Emily, Lauren, and Catherine.

 

Dr. Sean Strehlow
Board Member-at-Large (2023-2026)

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Sean’s professional background includes a broad range of experiences in various sectors of the sport industry. After graduating from Hardin-Simmons University, Sean was a teacher and tennis coach at Fossil Hill Middle School and Fossil Ridge High School from 2012-2015. While pursuing his master’s degree in sport management, Sean worked in student-athlete services for the University of Arkansas athletic department. Sean’s work with student-athletes continued at Baylor University until starting his Ph.D. in higher education leadership. Since then, Sean has devoted his time to research on college athletics and character development in sport. He is passionate about undergraduate education and preparing students for leadership in the sports industry.

Sean has had the privilege of working alongside his wife, Morgan, who also has a professional background in intercollegiate athletics. Both former tennis athletes, Sean and Morgan still love playing tennis and enjoy teaching the sport to their son, Seth. As a family, they also enjoy swimming and visiting local parks.

Dr. April Crommett
Board Member-at-Large (2023-2026)

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Dr. Crommett serves as the program director for the exercise science program in the Department of Kinesiology and Allied Health. She is the director of the exercise physiology laboratory and serves as faculty advisor to the student organization Health And Fitness Association (HAFA). Dr. Crommett is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and the Christian Society of Kinesiology and Leisure Society. Her interest areas include bariatrics and the relationship between spirituality and health

Ms. Grace Zimmerman
Student Board Member (2023-2024)

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Grace is a current Ph.D. student in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at the University of Utah, studying Sleep and Circadian Physiology coinciding with exercise, nutrition, and diseases. Grace received her master’s degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science from Lipscomb University with a research emphasis on the effects of high-intensity exercise on substrate oxidation. Her current research interests include examining links between sleep and circadian disruption on chronic disease risk and exploring the impact of combining sleep with dietary interventions in human health and performance. Grace is an avid skier, rock climber, and runner.

Ms. Myah Beylotte
Student Board Member (2023-2024)

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Myah Beylotte is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas. With a passion for helping people restore their functional motor and life skills, she will attend graduate school to become an Occupational Therapist. Myah’s enthusiasm for research in occupational therapy (OT) has led her to explore innovative approaches such as the integration of virtual reality in OT practice and the application of Ethic of Care in the field of OT. Additionally, Myah’s lifelong dedication to dance, including dancing with the pre-professional companies Kingwood Dance Theatre and Houston Contemporary 2, has cultivated her discipline and artistic sensibilities. She now shares her expertise as a dance instructor at The Dance Studio Longview and contributes as a substitute teacher for children at Rowland Ballard. In her leisure time, Myah finds joy in water skiing and wakeboarding, embracing an active lifestyle.