2024: Joseph Tate, MBA, M.S.

Speaker Joseph Tate is the current (2024) Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives and serves the 10th House District as the first Black Speaker of the House. With a deep commitment to public service instilled in him by his parents – a teacher in Detroit public school system and a Detroit firefighter – Speaker Tate has dedicated his life to serving his country and state in a multitude of ways. As a teenager, Joseph Tate earned a scholarship to play football at Michigan State University before joining the National Football League (NFL). After his time playing in the NFL, he moved on to serving his country in the United States Marine Corps and was deployed to Afghanistan two times during Operation Enduring Freedom. After an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, he earned his master’s in business Administration (MBA) and a master’s in environmental policy and planning from University of Michigan. Prior to joining the Michigan Legislature, Tate helped small businesses grow their capacity as a program manager for the Detroit Economic Growth Corp.

2023: Nick Myers, Ph.D.

Dr. Nick Myers is a Professor of Kinesiology at Michigan State University (MSU), whose research is situated at intersections of latent variable modeling and psychosocial aspects of sport and physical activity. Throughout his career at the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development and in the Department of Kinesiology at MSU, his three primary lines of research are (1) self-efficacy theory-based behavioral interventions that promote physical activity and/or well-being; (2) measurement of physical activity, self-efficacy beliefs, and well-being; and (3) latent variable modeling in kinesiology. His work has been funded by the: Erwin and Barbara Mautner Charitable Foundation, Florida Department of Education, National Academy of Kinesiology, National Institutes of Health, and Society of Health and Physical Educators of America. Dr. Myer’s research has been published in journals such as: Behavior Research Methods, BMC Public Health , Educational and Psychological Measurement, Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Prevention Science, Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Psychosomatic Medicine, and Structural Equation Modeling and has served as the editor-in-chief of Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science since 2015.

2022: Anthony P. Kontos, Ph.D.

Dr. Anthony P. Kontos is Research Director for the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program and Professor with tenure in the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh.  He has specialized in concussion research for 17 years and has 209 peer-reviewed publications and 365+ professional presentations. His research is funded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, and the National Football League. Dr. Kontos is fellow and past president of the Society for Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology of the American Psychological Association, and fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology, Association for Applied Sport Psychology, and Eastern Psychological Association. Dr. Kontos has also co-authored (with Dr. Collins) Concussion: A Clinical Profile Based Approach to Assessment and Treatment.

2021: Marita Gilbert, Ph.D.

Dr. Marita Gilbert serves as Associate Dean of Diversity & Campus Inclusion in the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Gilbert earned a BA in Mass Communications from Auburn University and PhD in Kinesiology with concentrations in the Sociology of Sport and College Teaching and Learning as well as a specialization in Black Feminisms from Michigan State University. Dr. Gilbert has dedicated her life to advocacy for the most marginalized and vulnerable populations through leadership, scholarship, and practice. Her passion for transforming communities and institutions has guided over 20 years of progressive experience in higher education, serving in faculty and administrative roles ranging from athletics to senior leadership. As the associate dean, Dr. Gilbert oversees diversity efforts on all three campuses of the College of Osteopathic Medicine and works directly with the Dean–providing influence and guidance over areas of college climate to include faculty mentoring in the areas of equity and inclusion, leading oversight of elections for college and university committees, advising the College Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure (RPT) process, and developing cohesive and visible community partnerships and engaging in local outreach efforts.

2020: Sally Eaves Nogle, Ph.D.

Dr. Sally Eaves Nogle completed her undergraduate and master’s degree at San Diego State University prior to obtaining her PhD from the MSU Department of Kinesiology in 2001. Her advisors were Paul Vogel and Gail Dummer. Sally started working as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at MSU in 1983. She is currently the Head Athletic Trainer and works with the MSU football team. Sally was selected to work at the Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul, South Korea in 1988. Sally has received numerous awards including induction into the Michigan Athletic Trainers and National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame. Sally also teaches courses in the kinesiology department.

2019: Karin Allor Pfeiffer, Ph.D.

Dr. Karin Allor Pfeiffer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and is a faculty member in the Center for Physical Activity and Health at Michigan State Univerisity. Since completing her Ph.D. in Kinesiolgy at MSU in 2001, Dr. Pfeiffer has focused her professional efforts toward studying physical activity and health-related fitness in children, completing over 150 publications in peer-reviewed journals (at the time of winning this award). Dr. Pfeiffer has served on the Leadership Board of the National Youth Sports Health and Safety Institute and is a past President of the North American Society for Pediatric Exercise Medicine and the Midwest regional chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Among her many professional service contributions is her work to update the federal Youth Compendium of Physical Activities and produce the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report.

2018: Aaron Moffett, Ph.D.

Dr. Aaron Moffett received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 2005 with concentrations in Adapted Physical Activity and Sport and Exercise Psychology. Along with his accomplishments in serving as the Sport Psychology and Warrior Resiliency Porgram Coordinator with the US Air Force and as the Head Coach for the USA Invictus Games Team, Dr. Moffett created the nationally-recognized DisAbility Sports Festival Programs across the United States, which are non-profit events focused on providing increased physical activity opportunities for people with any disability. Dr. Moffett has been a swim coach and a consultant for the US Navy, US Marine Corps, and US Air Force Wounded Warrior programs and conducted research on pscyhological skills of people with and without disabilities. Dr. Moffett was also selected to attend the Beijing Paralympic Games as a coach and leader with the US Paralympic Academy and was awarded as the Molina Healthcare Community Champion in Education for his work with people with disabilities.

2017: Michael Straus, M.S., P.A.

Mr. Michael Straus received a bachelor’s in athletic training from Michigan State University and a master’s of Medical Science from Emory University, fulfilling the physician assistant program requirements. Mr. Straus has completed experiences with the New York Giants football team and served two years with the United States Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Department in Colorado Springs. Mr. Straus has also worked with the USA Men’s Field Hockey team and volunteered for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. As the director for the Clinical Athletic Training Residency Program at MSU, Mr. Straus enstills excellence to university athletic teams while serving as the Team Physician Assistant for MSU FIeld Hockey and for the Lansing Lugnuts. Mr. Straus has two MSU Department of Kinesiology Awards named in his honor – the Athletic Trainer Academic Excellence and Athletic Trainer Academic Achievement awards.

2016: Carol Hutchins, M.S.

A native of Lansing, Michigan, Carol Hutchins was an all-city basketball player for Everett High School and then again for Michigan State University, playing on the Spartan varsity basketball and softball teams from 1976 to 1979. She was the starting shortstop as a freshman and contributed to that team’s AIAW National Championship. After her graduation through the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at MSU, Carol took her athletic and academic talents to Indiana University, where she earned a master’s degree in physical education in 1981 and began her college coaching career. As the Head Coach of the University of Michigan Softball program, Hutchins led her teams to one NCAA title, eighteen Big Ten regular season titles, and nine Big Ten tournament titles. On April 2, 2016, Carol earned her 1,458th career win, making her the all-time winningest coach in NCAA softball history.

2015: Thelma Horn, Ph.D.

Dr. Horn earned a MS degree in coaching education from Western Michigan University, and then a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Michigan State University. Throughout her professional career, Dr. Horn has distinguished herself through teaching physical education in Michigan and Colorado, conducting research across multiple facets of psychosocal well-being and its impact on children across the lifespan, and as a professor and advisor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health at Miami University (Ohio). Dr. Horn has completed terms as associate editor and editor for multiple scholarly journals and has a long history of serving in several professional organizations in sport and developmental psychology fields, providing leardership service to each association. Dr. Horn has received the Richard T. Delp Outstanding Faculty Award and the Commendation for Influence on Students from the Center for the Enhancement of Learning, Teaching, and University Assessment. In 2011, she also won the prestigious Crystal Apple Award from the Michigan State University College of Education, honoring educators who have a record of excellence and commitment to teaching.

2014: Judi Brown Clarke, Ph.D.

Dr. Brown Clarke earned a MS degree from Michigan State University and her Ph.D. from Western Michigan University in Public Administration and Policy. Dr. Brown Clarke has distinguished herself in a variety of settings. As an athlete, her accomplishments ranged from winning multiple Big Ten Championships to winning a silver medal in the 400 meter hurdles in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, CA. The accomplishments continued throughout her professional life and include working for the State of Michigan with children’s services and becoming the Director of Multicultural Affairs and Inclusion at MSU in 2006. She remains an active community leader having been elected to the Lansing City Council and has participated on many local boards and foundations.

2013: Clarence Underwood, Ph.D. 1982

Dr. Underwood is a retired Athletic Director of Michigan State University. Born in Gadsen, Alabama, Dr. Underwood obtained his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and Ph.D. from Michigan State University. Dr. Underwood served as Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Support, Associate Alumni Director, Deputy Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance, and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Michigan State Univeristy. During his tenure in these positions, Dr. Underwood initiated the SCORE program (Success Comes Out of Reading Everyday) and promoted the Big Ten Advisory Commission while establishing higher standards in academic advising and institutional compliance.

2012: Bonnie Smoak, Ph.D. 1985

Bonnie Smoak earned a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the College of Education in 1985, and has spent her career focusing on emerging pathogens and infectious disease surveillance systems on a global scale. Smoak served in the U.S. Army for 26 years before retiring as a colonel in 2008. Some of the highlights of her career include time spent in Kenya researching malaria, enteric pathogens drug resistance patterns and viral hemorrhagic fevers, as well as serving as commander of the United States Army Medical Component – Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences from 2005 to 2007. Smoak is now chief of the Department of Health Systems at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. She is currently leading a team working in Kenya, Uganda, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to enhance their public health infrastructure’s abilities to detect, diagnose and report infectious diseases.

2011: Linda Petlichkoff, Ph.D. 1982

Linda Petlichkoff accepted her appointment to a tenure-track position in the Boise State Department of Kinesiology in Fall of 1987. Petlichkoff has published numerous articles on issues related to participation in and withdrawal from sport, competitive anxiety, achievement goal profiles, coaching children, goal setting techniques, and self-regulation skills. Her current interests focus on youth development through sport and self-regulation. Currently, Petlichkoff serves as a Developmental Consultant for The First Tee™ Life Skills Curriculum.

2010: James S. Walton, Ph.D. 1970

James S. Walton is president and owner of 4DVideo, a small business that provides products and services that employ image-based motion measurement and motion reconstruction. In 1968, he received a Diploma in Physical Education and his credential from Carnegie College in the U.K. He received his M.A. in Education from MSU in 1970, his M.S. in Applied Mechanics from Stanford University in 1976 and his Ph.D. in Physical Education (biomechanics/engineering mechanics) from Penn State University in 1981.