Dr. Craig A. Wrisberg

Dr. Craig A. Wrisberg is a professor emeritus of sport psychology and 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, and presented numerous papers at national and international meetings. In 1992, he was a visiting professor at Philipps University in Marburg, Germany.

During his academic career Dr. Wrisberg supervised the Ph.D. programs of 40 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, Western Washington University, California State University at Fullerton, San Jose State University, West Virginia University, Barry University, Sam Houston State University, and Springfield College).

Beginning in 1981, he provided mental training services for athletes and coaches in the Department of Athletics at the University of Tennessee. Among the athletes he personally assisted are 42 NCAA champions and 23 individuals who have participated or are currently participating in professional sport.  He continues to provide performance consulting for athletes at all levels.

A native of St. Louis, Mo, Dr. Wrisberg obtained 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., Withycombe, J.L., Simpson, D., Loberg, L.A., & Reed, A. (in press). NCAA Division-I administrators’ perceptions of the benefits of sport psychology services and possible roles for a consultant. The Sport Psychologist.

Bemiller, J.H., & Wrisberg, C.A. (in press). An overview and critique of NCAA policy regarding the use of sport psychology consultants at the DivisionI level. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport.

Post, P.G., & Wrisberg, C.A. (in press). A phenomenological investigation of gymnasts’ lived experience of imagery. The Sport Psychologist.

Post, P.G., Barros, J.A.C., & Wrisberg, C.A. (in press). Evidence of non-compliance with instructions in attentional focus research. Brazilian Journal of Motor Behavior.

Wrisberg, C.A., (in press). Encouraging the self-control of athletes during skill practice: Motor learning research and applications. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology.

Gentner, N., Wrisberg., C. & Lounsbury, J. (Spring, 2011). The athlete life quality scale: Development and psychometric analysis. Athletic Insight, 3 (1), 77-94..

Wrisberg, C.A., Loberg, L.A., Simpson, D., Withycombe, J.L., & Reed, A. (2010). An exploratory investigation of NCAA Division-I coaches’ support of sport psychology consultants and willingness to seek mental training services. The Sport Psychologist, 24, 489-503.

Grindstaff, J.S., Wrisberg, C.A., & Ross, J.R. (2010). Collegiate athletes’ experience of the meaning of sport injury: A phenomenological investigation. Perspectives in Public Health. 130 (3), 127-135.

Post, P.G., Wrisberg, C.A., & Mullins, S. (2010). A field test of the influence of pre-game imagery on basketball free throw shooting. Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity, Vol 5, Issue 1, Article 2, 1-15.

Wrisberg, C.A., Simpson, D., Loberg, L.A., Withycombe, J.L., & Reed, A. (2009). NCAA Division-I student-athletes' receptivity to mental skills training by sport psychology consultants. The Sport Psychologist. 23, 470-486.

Ryba, T.V., Stambulova, N.B., & Wrisberg, C.A. (2009). Forward to the past: Puni’s model of volitional preparation in sport. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7, 275-291.

Dr. Craig A. Wrisberg
Professor Emeritus
Sport Psychology

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

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

Contact the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies

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

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