Dr. Craig A. Wrisberg

Dr. Craig A. Wrisberg is a professor of sport psychology and teaches courses in applied sport psychology, the psychology of coaching, and the research process in sport psychology. He is a past president of both the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), a Fellow of both AASP and the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, and an AASP Certified Consultant. He has published over 100 refereed journal articles and book chapters, co-authored a best selling textbook in motor learning and performance, authored two books, and presented numerous papers at national and international meetings. In 1992, he was a visiting professor at Philipps University in Marburg, Germany.

Dr. Wrisberg’s research primarily focuses on the role of attention and cognitive strategies in sport performance. Over the years he has supervised the Ph.D. programs of 30 students, most of whom are currently faculty members at colleges and universities throughout the United States (including Duke University, University of Cincinnati, University of Arizona, University of North Texas, Baylor University, University of Utah, California State University at Fullerton, San Jose State University, West Virginia University, Ithaca College, Sam Houston State University, and Springfield College).

Since 1981, he has provided mental training services for athletes and coaches in the Departments of Men's and Women's Athletics at the University of Tennessee. Among the athletes he has personally assisted are 42 NCAA champions and 23 individuals who have participated or are currently participating in professional sport.

A native of St. Louis, Mo, Dr. Wrisberg holds a B.A. degree in physical education from Greenville College (Illinois), a M.A. degree in exercise physiology from Indiana State University, and two degrees from the University of Michigan (M.S. in experimental psychology and Ph.D. in motor behavior).

Recent Publications

Wrisberg, C.A., Cassidy, C.M., Morgan, T., and Cherry, L. (2008). Naturalistic observations in sport and physical activity settings. Journal of Behavior Analysis in Health, Sports, Fitness, and Medicine. 1, 117-129.

Becker, A.J., & Wrisberg,C.A. 2008). Effective coaching in action: Observations of legendary collegiate basketball coach, Pat Summitt. The Sport Psychologist, 22, 197-211.

Gentner, N.B., Wrisberg, C.A., & Whitney, B.J. (2008). An interview with John Gagliardi.
In W. Simpson, D. Crider, D. Funk, & P. Titlebaum  (Eds.), Applied research in coaching and athletics annual (Vol. 23, pp. 278-309). Boston: American Press.

Schmidt, R.A., & Wrisberg, C.A. (2008). Motor learning and performance (4th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Wrisberg, C.A. (2007). Sport skill instruction for coaches. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Wrisberg, C. A. (2007). An applied sport psychological perspective on the relative merits of an external and internal focus of attention. E-Journal Bewegung und Training,
1, 53-54.

Ploszay, A.J., Gentner, N.B., Skinner, C.H., & Wrisberg, C.A. (2006). The effects of multisensory imagery in conjunction with physical movement rehearsal on golf putting performance. Journal of Behavioral Education, 15, 247-255.

Stambulova, N.B., Wrisberg, C.A., & Ryba, T.V. (2006). A tale of two traditions in applied sport psychology: The heyday of Soviet sport and wake-up calls for North America. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 18, 173-184.

Ryba, T.V., Stambulova, N.B., & Wrisberg, C.A. (2005). The Russian origins of sport psychology: A translation of an early work by A.V. Puni. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 17, 157-169.

Contact Information

Dr. Craig A. Wrisberg
Professor
Sport Psychology

University of Tennessee
1914 Andy Holt Ave.
344 HPER Bldg.
Knoxville, TN 37996-2700

Phone: 865-974-1283
Fax; 865-974-8981
Email:caw@utk.edu

Contact the Department of Exercise, Sport, and Leisure Studies

1914 Andy Holt Ave.
322 HPER Bldg.
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996-2700

Phone: 865-974-3340
Fax: 865-974-8981