People
Research Interests
My primary research aim is development through sport. I have two distinct focal applications for this aim. First, I examine how sport is used as a resource to overcome difficult life transitions in adulthood and its effects on quality of life. My research agenda is set up to test sport participation on various transition points across the life-course both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Second, I investigate how sport business organizations may grow and develop, seeking strategic uses of sport programs and its delivery. The expected results will illuminate innovative ways to strategically meet both short-term and long-term sustainability objectives. Further, this second aim is used to inform my class curriculum and build sport industry relationships for future internship and job placements for students.
Other Interests: Development of sport, experiential learning in the sport setting, and using sport programs as marketing brand extensions.
Current Courses: Sport Communication, Administration of Sport and Physical Activity, Sport Administration Seminar, Field Internships, Sport Marketing (summer only), Sport Governance (summer only), Developmental Aspects of Sport (Graduate Level), PR/Media of Sport (Graduate Level)
Recent Publications and Research Activity
*Kirschmann, J., Walsh, D.W., Cepni, A.B., & Johnston, C.A. (2026). Feasibility of accelerometry in adults with intellectual disabilities in health promotion research. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. doi: 10.1111/jir.70102
*Cepni A.B., Ledoux T.A, Walsh, D.W., & Johnston C.A. (2025). Evaluating implementation fidelity of a school-based physical activity intervention: Effects on child physical activity. Health Education Research, 40(6), 1-11. doi: 10.1093/her/cyaf047
Walsh, D.W., Harrison, B., & Johnston, C.A. (2025). Cultivating peak performance: Incorporating creativity and adaptability in health care providers. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. doi: 10.1177/15598276251409600
Berg, B. K., Hutchinson, M., Wells, J. E., Walsh, D. W., & Simmond, A. (2025). Supporting the college athlete amidst the onset of name, image, and likeness. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 18(1), 507-531. doi: 10.51221/sc.jiia.2025.18.1.26
*Cepni A.B., Walsh D.W., Hanjoe K., Yoon C.Y., Hughes S.O., Ledoux T.A. & Johnston C.A. (2024). Assessing the efficacy of sport-based physical education on children's activity behaviors: A randomized controlled trial. Accepted by the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 22(2), 205-215. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2024-0243.
*Cepni, A. B., Vilson, Helbing, R. R., Walsh, D.W., Johnston, C.A., Yoon, C.Y., Hughes, S.O., & Ledoux, T.A (2024). The most optimal school recruitment strategies for school-based health promotion and obesity prevention research: A systematic review with Delphi study. Obesity Reviews. doi: 10.1111/obr.13808
Berg, B. K., Hutchinson, M., Wells, J. E., Walsh, D. W., Simmond, A., & Havard, C. T. (2023). The policy discourse of name, image, and likeness in college athletics. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 16, 462-485. **(Awarded Most Outstanding Article of 2023 Award)** Available at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/jiia/vol16/iss1/26
*Goodman L.P., Walsh D.W., Kunin-Batson A., Sherwood N.E., Arlinghaus K.R. (2023). Adolescent sources of stress, stress levels, and associations between stress and changes in weight outcomes at the time of COVID-19 related school closure in March 2020. Preventive Medicine Reports, 36. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102447
Walsh, D.W., *Ferrara, M., Arlinghaus, K.R., & Johnston, C.A. (2022). Sport: A holistic approach to lifestyle medicine. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. doi: 10.1177/15598276221090470
Habeeb, C. M., Warner, S., & Walsh, D.W. (2022). Managing mental health: Athlete help-seeking. Sport Management Review. doi: 10.1080/14413523.2021.2018836
Berg, B., Warner, S., Walsh, D.W., & Wells, J. (2021). NCAA athlete development and retention: Administrators’ Perspectives. The American Athletic Conference-Academic Research Grant Program. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 14, 694-716. Available at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/jiia/vol14/iss1/23
Walsh, D.W., Green, B.C., Harrison, T., & Bowers, M.T. (2019). “Sport as a resource caravan”: Understanding how adults utilize sport as a developmental tool. Journal of Global Sport Management. doi: 10.1080/24704067.2019.1669204
Walsh, D.W., Green, B.C., Holahan, C., Cance, J.D., & Lee, D. (2019). Healthy aging?: An evaluation of sport participation as a resource for older adults in retirement. Journal of Leisure Research, 50, 56-80.
*Russell, A.M., Cottingham, M., Barry, A., Lee, D., & Walsh, D.W. (2018). Students transitioning to college and out of competitive sport: Athletic identity, coping, and stress. Journal of Applied Sport Management, 10(4), 34-50.
!Daniels, E., Cottingham II, M., Walsh, D.W., & Pearson, D.W. (2017). An evaluation of university recreation center outdoor programs for people with disabilities: Perspectives from professionals. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership.
Walsh, D.W., Green, B.C., & Cottingham, M. (2017). Examining the efficacy of youth sport camps to build customer relationships. Leisure Studies, 36(5), 657-669. doi: 10.1080/02614367.2016.1240222
Griffiths, R., Barton-Weston, H., & Walsh, D.W. (2016). Sport transitions as epiphanies. Journal of Amateur Sport, 2(2), 29-49.
Education
B.S. in Kinesiology at University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 1998
M.S. in Sports Administration at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 2000
Ph.D. in Sport Management at University of Texas, Austin, TX, 2014