 The
Sport Science Institute is designed as a consortium of
faculty from Louisiana State University in Shreveport
(LSUS) and the LSU Health Sciences Center
in Shreveport (LSUHSCS), collaborating in research, service
and education in a broad spectrum of activities related
to sport and exercise science. In addition to conducting
interdisciplinary research, the Institute will serve as
an educational outreach unit and will participate in academic
programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. LSUS
and LSUHSCS faculty involved represent a variety of backgrounds
of sport experience and scholarly direction. All have a
common interest in interdisciplinary research, education,
and service activities that merge sport and science. While
this type of research, service, and education is at present
occurring in specific situations, the Institute serves
to coordinate efforts, attract significantly more external
funding, and bring important visibility to Louisiana and
the institutions and researchers comprising the Institute.
Objectives of the Institute include:
- Interdisciplinary
research in the burgeoning field of sport and exercise
science. The Institute will facilitate
the establishment of a network of researchers/scholars
interested in sport science and related fields. The two
initial partners, LSUS and LSUHSCS, plan to actively recruit
researchers from other Louisiana institutions for involvement
in research projects as the Institute develops. Opportunities
for collaboration will be extended to researchers based
at other North Louisiana colleges and universities including
Grambling State University, Centenary College, Bossier
Parish Community College, and Southern University at Shreveport.
- Establishment
of a formalized link between academic researchers and
the professional community. Collaborative
efforts will include participation by non-academic researchers
and other professionals at area health care institutions,
including Christus Schumpert Health Care System, Doctors’ Hospital,
Willis Knighton Medical Center, Overton Brooks Veterans
Administration Hospital, Barksdale AFB Health & Fitness
Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Louisiana Rehabilitation
Services Region III, and others as opportunities and interests
dictate.
- Establishment
of a clearinghouse for the community and Institute scholars
in matching research/educational
interests and expertise with community needs and problems.
The Institute facilitate the application of academic and
professional knowledge to address community needs and problems
and to provide information and expertise for policy making
in sport science and related fields.
- Develop
new educational opportunities and strengthening of
existing educational programs for undergraduate and
graduate students in the growing fields of sport and
exercise
science, wellness/fitness, and related disciplines. The
Institute will enhance academic programs at both LSUS
and LSUHSCS.
- Promote
a cooperative community service and public
education efforts. The Institute coordinates the development
of joint
projects to provide service to the community and educational
outreach to targeted populations, such as K-12 students
and their parents, disabled individuals, etc.
- Attraction
of significant external funds to support the expansion
of interdisciplinary research, community
service and education programs. Establishment of the Institute
will strengthen the potential for securing major grants
from agencies such as NIH, NSF and USDOE and funding from
corporate and other sources concerned with sport science.
Corporate support for endowed professorships and corporate
sponsorship for research and outreach programs will be
sought.
- Promotion
of economic development and employment growth in North
Louisiana economic sectors related to the Sport
Science Institute. The Institute will be an asset for further
growth in North Louisiana’s regional health care
industry and for attracting additional sport science related
events to the region. For example, special events and seminars
will attract professionals from out-of-state whose spending
will benefit area businesses.
The Institute’s objectives are in agreement with
the roles, scopes and missions of both LSUS and LSUHSCS.
As a part of its mission, LSUS seeks to enhance the cultural,
technological, social, and economic development of the
region through outstanding teaching, research and service.
LSUHSCS seeks to improve the health of Louisiana residents
by serving as a focus of teaching and research in the health
sciences. The Institute will clearly further the partner
institutions’ missions through research, education
and service to the community.
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