Board of Directors

Dr. Andrew Meyer
President (2021-2023)

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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. Wayne Jacobs
Past-President (2021-2022)

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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, has served as a board member from 2013-2015, 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. Cathy Headley
President-Elect (2021-2023)
Dr. Matthew D. Ruiz
Treasurer (2021-2022)
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Matthew is the director of graduate studies in exercise and nutrition science 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.
Dr. Landon Huffman
Secretary (2021-2022)
Dr. Marc Apkarian
Board Member-at-Large (2021-2024)
Dr. Dale Connally
Board Member-at-Large (2020-2023)
Dr. Laci McRee
Board Member-at-Large (2021-2024)
Dr. Monica O'Rourke
Board Member-at-Large (2019-2022)

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Dr. Monica O’Rourke is a Professor of Kinesiology in the College of Health Science and Co-Director of the Ph.D. Leadership Studies program at California Baptist University. Her experience includes serving as director of a university fitness and wellness program, administrator of school physical education programs, corporate health consultant, K-12 educator, as well as leadership work in state and national organizations. She has an extensive research agenda includes leadership studies, fitness and speed performance among collegiate and professional athletes, perceived competence and intrinsic motivation in physical activity, examining health behavior with the Disconnected Values Model, aligning faith integration with pedagogical methods, psychosocial constructs of obesity and fitness, and kinesiology creation science. Monica is a long-time member of CSKLS, assisting in technology for CSKLS, webinars and was the 2017 recipient of the CSKLS Presidential award. She is involved with Team Faith Racing Ministry where she travels nationally and internationally to professional racing events such as AMA Supercross assisting with chaplaincy services to professional motocross and watercross (jet ski) athletes and their families.  Her connection with professional athletes keeps her actively involved with trends in the kinesiology and sports industry.

Prof. Lori Peters
Board Member-at-Large (2019-2022)
Ms. Jordan Schools
Board Member-at-Large (2021-2023)

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Jordan Schools is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Johnson University in the Leadership Studies program where she also serves as a lecturer in the Sport and Fitness Leadership Department. Jordan earned her master’s degree in 2019 in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Psychology and Motor Learning from the University of Tennessee. She has over 10 years of experience working in the sport and fitness field serving as a sport and recreation coordinator, physical education teacher, associate athletic director of student-athlete development, and as a professor. Her research includes coach care, student-athlete welfare, the integration of sport and religion, and her dissertation topic focuses on the effects of stereotypes on student-athlete academic performance. Jordan previously served as a student board member for CSKLS and she is passionate about helping to encourage current members and engage students and young professionals by using various platforms to spread the mission and vision of CSKLS.

Ms. Grace Zimmerman
Student-Board Member (2021-2022)