Individuals who suffer from chronic pain have increasingly come to rely on kratom, a Southeast Asian plant whose principal psychoactive alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), may soon become Schedule I Controlled Substances in the United States. The two compounds bind to, and partially activate, opioid receptors in the brain.

“People in Southeast Asia have long relied on teas brewed from kratom leaves not only to manage pain but to ease the symptoms of opiate withdrawal,” said Bryan E. Denham, Ph.D., Campbell Professor of Sports Communication in the Department of Communication at Clemson. “Although kratom is not entirely safe, it appears to be less hazardous than concentrated, synthetic versions of 7-OH, manufactured by unscrupulous firms. Synthetics are sold at gas stations and vape stores and are packaged to attract the attention of high-school and college-aged individuals.”

Denham’s study appears in the Journal of Substance Use and addresses the extent to which kratom use correlates with health concerns and signs of dependency on other substances. One finding showed that individuals struggling to quit prescription pain relievers were more than four times as likely as others to have used kratom, a substance the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers “drug of concern.” In July 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised the DEA to add mitragynine and 7-OH to the list of Controlled Substances, and the DEA is currently considering that recommendation.

“It will be interesting to see what the DEA chooses to do in the coming months,” Denham said. “It announced plans in 2016 to ban mitragynine and 7-OH, but it received significant pushback from kratom users. This time, the FDA has made it a point to state plainly that its recommendation does not include the kratom plant itself. It is primarily interested in the two alkaloids and especially the hazardous synthetic products. A trade group, the American Kratom Association, has endorsed the recommended actions on mitragynine and 7-OH.”

Denham studies the media, health, and policy aspects of substance use in sport and society. He said that in sport, athletes have used kratom to increase energy and to recuperate from intense exercise. Some athletes believe it enhances their focus during competition, and some experiment with it for pain relief. Technically, kratom is not a banned substance, but the United States Anti-Doping Agency advises athletes to avoid using it given potential side effects. Athletes and non-athletes alike should appreciate that kratom is a drug, not a dietary supplement, and they should be aware of manipulative labels on synthetic substances.

In addition to his study in the Journal of Substance Use, Denham has examined the agenda-building function of mass media on kratom policy, exploring how coverage in major national news outlets and regional news organizations has impacted regulatory action. Denham said the Tampa Bay Times, in particular, has examined kratom use in depth, and its reporting has impacted coverage elsewhere in addition to policy conversations at the state and national levels.

By Griffin Barfield

Each year, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute supports Clemson’s student body by expanding access to scholarships and enhancing experiential learning opportunities, providing funding to various undergraduate and graduate students who are studying sport in their disciplines.

Through annual research awards and professorship funding endowed to faculty in the Departments of Automotive Engineering, Communication, Marketing and Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, graduate students are hired to engage in research activities affecting the field of sports science.

This year, two of the Institute’s ‘legacy professors’ – Bryan Denham, Ph.D., in the Department of Communication in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences and Angeline Scheinbaum, Ph.D., in the Department of Marketing in the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business – funded two graduate students each at Clemson University. 

These students are four of the seven graduate students that the Institute has supported over the last academic year. 

Within the Department of Communication, two research assistants have been analyzing social networks and sports on a global scale with sports communication faculty. 

Cassidy Gruber and Erin Knight have been researching social media responses that have been presented during the PGA Tour and LIV golf merger, looking to find the role of care during organizational changes. After reworking the literature review, they aim to have a manuscript titled Understanding the role of care in communicating organizational change: A social network analysis of the PGA Tour-LIV golf controversy, published in the Social Media + Society journal.

Assistant professors, Virginia Harrison, Ph.D., and Brandon Boatwright, Ph.D., will be spearheading the manuscript. 

“The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute has given me a unique and rewarding opportunity to incorporate my strategic communication background into sports science research this semester,” Gruber said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of a motivated research team and contributing to meaningful projects!” 

Knight is also working to understand the social media conversation of sportswashing and nation branding, which has become a rising issue from the political lens of sports. This is her first assignment as a research assistant, and she will continue her work into the Spring 2026 semester. 

“It’s been really exciting to be a part of the research process in this way,” Knight said, “especially with such an interesting focal point.” 

Boatwright and Harrison are also faculty fellows of the Institute. 

In the Department of Marketing, research assistants Sairah Abraham and Cara Levin work closely with Dr. Scheinbaum, the Institute’s Dan Duncan Endowed Professor of Sports Marketing. 

The two have centered their research on sports marketing and consumer behavior, focusing on Corporate Social Responsibility over the last year with their team. The pair have been examining sport sponsorship as a form of corporate community involvement, investigating how local consumers view sponsor brands and exploring their feelings of gratitude. 

Their team has found outcomes through four large-scale field studies across three professional sports: automotive racing, PGA golf, and USA professional cycling. The research project under the direction of Dr. Scheinbaum found that consumer-corporate identification perceptions help the sponsor-event fit, and the consumer intentions to support sponsor brands, allowing the results to assist with local sponsor brands’ strategies.

“As a Brooks RA, it’s exciting to see how psychology, sports and marketing can team up,” Abraham said. “Each brings unique strengths to interdisciplinary studies that advance research that captures both the science of people and the spirit of the game!” 

Levin has also looked into how sponsorship and community engagement initiatives influence consumer perceptions of the brand’s authenticity, ethical leadership and trust. She has a background in Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology, using that to see how corporate strategy and stakeholder response are affected.

“Clemson’s drive powers both our athletics and research,” Levin said.

As their research wraps up and the semester comes to a close, the students will be reporting on any outcomes or taking their work into 2026.

By: Griffin Barfield

Sarah Buford graduated from Clemson in May 2025 with a B.S. in Marketing and a double minor in Accounting and Sports Communiction. She received the Markvan Bellamy Endowed Scholarship in Sports Marketing in 2024. During her time at the University, she worked with IPTAY and Clemson Athletics Marketing and Fan Experience teams.

How have you utlilized your major/concentration in sports to help your career?

I have utilized my Sports Communication minor to help with my career sports many times, especially when I speak with Season Ticket Holders about why they love coming to Drive games. Throughout the classes I took in my minor, sports being a unifying factor was always something we discussed, and it is very evident in my career.

What is your role, where, and what do you do?

Currently, I am an Account Executive at the Greenville Drive. My main responsibilities include working with our Season Ticket Holders, selling new season tickets, groups, and hospitality spaces, and creating relationships with people throughout the Greenville area.

What was your journey like since graduating from Clemson?

Four days after graduating from Clemson, I began working at the Drive since baseball season had already started. It was a very quick transition, but I was able to jump in and start helping soon after because of the knowledge I gained from my time at Clemson and previous internships.

What advice would you give to future Brooks scholars as they approach post-grad?

My biggest piece of advice is to find a job that interests you and go for it because you never know what opportunities could come from it.

By: Griffin Barfield

Natalie Bell was a former Graphic Design intern with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute. After graduating from Clemson in the spring of 2025, she is now a Graphic Designer at FerebeeLane, an advertising agency in Greenville, South Carolina.

What does a job as a Graphic Designer look like?

I do a little bit of everything! I work with my fellow designers and the account team to strategically design anything from print ads to billboards to product labels to websites- and everything in between for our clients.

How have you taken what you have learned with the Institute into what you’re doing now?

Juggling multiple design projects and ideating unique opportunities to spread brand awareness with my fellow interns at the Institute gave me a great foundation for working alongside my colleagues now! 

What are your future plans looking like?

I am currently working on learning more in my field and becoming a stronger graphic designer and teammate.

What advice would you give to current students regarding the Institute?

This goes for any opportunity- but working with the Institute is what you make of it! I immersed myself with Institute projects and loved expanding my knowledge about sports science, so I felt like my senior year with the Institute was incredibly rewarding. I got to photograph the Clemson Men’s First Paralympic match game on Riggs Field, score Horse log books, and design signs and golf scorecards for RECESS. So dive in, and be ready for some great opportunities and new learnings.

By: Griffin Barfield

Christopher Pearce graduated from Clemson in 2024 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He received the Markvan Bellamy Brooks Endowed Scholarship in 2024. During his time at Clemson, he worked at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) as a Research Assistant and was an IT Intern at the Watt Family Innovation Center.

How have you utilized your major/concentration in sports to help your career?

I have used my degree to grow my background in the automotive industry both directly and indirectly. While my internships provided me with the opportunity to apply my engineering skills directly, my current role is more focused on managing projects in the engineering realm. Group projects at Clemson and prior industry knowledge helped prepare me for this type of role.

What is your current role, where, and what do you do?

I am currently a project manager at Porsche Cars North America, supporting their engineering and quality teams. I am also responsible for managing the technical review of various escalated field cases.

What was your journey like since graduating from Clemson?

Since graduating from Clemson, I have moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where I continued my internship with Porsche and was soon hired into my current role.

What advice would you give to future Brooks scholars as they approach post-grad?

My advice to all students is to build relationships everywhere you go. These relationships will help you grow and navigate through your industry.

By Katie Gerbasich

Grace O’Donnell was a former Editor/Events Assistant intern with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute. After graduating from Clemson, she is now working for Clemson Football in the recruiting department.

What does your job in the recruiting department with Clemson Football look like? 

One of the things I love most about my job is that no two days ever look the same. While we’re in season, a large part of the position is preparing for gameday when we have anywhere from 80 to 120 prospects and their guests coming to town. I’ll do event set up and take down, check guests in when they first arrive and gather some personal information for our records, direct guests once they’re inside the stadium and generally serve as a point of contact for them. When it’s not game day, there’s always a lot of office work to be done: sending out graphics to our guys, logging game day reports, creating new content to send out and much more. I really respect my boss’s and the hard work they’ve put into making Clemson recruiting one of the highest standards in the country.

How have you taken what you learned with the Institute into what you’re doing now?

The Institute set me up for success in ways I never could have imagined. Most of my previous work experience came from being Sports Editor of The Tiger, which is something I wouldn’t trade for the world. However, I began to feel like I had boxed myself into a corner with sports writing and I didn’t want that to be the only thing I did/only career field I could look into. When I interviewed with the Institute, they offered me a split role: Editor/Events Assistant so that I could start building experience on the event operations side. Our events lead, Kyler, did an amazing job setting everything up and working with vendors, and I loved watching her and gaining some insight. After helping with the inaugural RECESS Symposium, I knew my future lay in event operations and giving people the best game day experience possible.

What are your future plans looking like?

Once this season ends, I’ll be applying for a full time position in event operations with an NFL team or another college program. I love Clemson and the almost five years I’ve spent here, but I’m also super excited to take what I’ve learned here and bring it into the real world. I truly enjoy serving people and want to continue finding unique ways to do that in the world of football

What advice would you give to current students regarding the Institute?

Apply, apply, apply! The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute may sound like an intimidating place, but the people and the work could not be more fulfilling and welcoming. I don’t come from a strong STEM or research background, but the Institute found a role that was perfect for my strengths. Whether you’re a more hands-on, scientific person or someone studying marketing and communications, there’s a spot for you on the team. A huge shout out to Kayla, John, Taylor, Natalie, Kyler, Katie and all our RHBSSI fellows for making our Wednesday afternoon meetings something I genuinely looked forward to.

On Friday, October 17, Clemson University’s Brook T. Smith Launchpad hosted its second-annual Sports Entrepreneurship Symposium in downtown Clemson.

From the Launchpad on LinkedIn, “Today we held our annual Sports Entrepreneurship Symposium at Clemson’s Brook T. Smith Launchpad. Clemson-affiliated leaders and experts shared their stories, discussed the latest developments in the field, and bonded together as Tigers. Almost 200 students, faculty, staff, and community members will benefit from the wisdom that was dispensed and new personal connections that were formed.”

Affiliates from Clemson’s Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute (RHBSSI) presented and attended the symposium.

John DesJardins, Ph.D., interim director of the Institute, shared about academic opportunities in sport at Clemson, noting that there are more than 30 faculty, 55 courses and 2,500 students learning about sport through the lens of various disciplines each year. He also invited guests to attend the Institute’s upcoming RECESS symposium the week of November 10 to learn more about the academic side of sport at Clemson.

Graduate student in the Department of Bioengineering supported by the Institute, Connor Moore, presented with a panel on sports analytics and the sports tech industry. Moore has studied how analytics can have an impact on athlete performance and injury prevention in baseball.

“We are grateful to the Launchpad for inviting RHBSSI to have a presence at their sports entrepreneurship event,” thanked Kayla Rogers, assistant director of the Institute. “We met some wonderful Clemson students interested in studying sport and made connections with attendees with unique backgrounds from across the sports industry.”

By Katie Gerbasich

Lauren Crumley was a former Events Lead intern with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute. After graduating from Clemson, she is now a Corporate Partnerships Associate for USRowing, the national governing body for rowing in the US.

What does your job as a Corporate Partnerships Associate look like? 

I get to work with a lot of different people both inside and outside of USRowing in my role. Internally, I am on the development team where our primary focus is growing USRowing resources especially as we look ahead to the 2028 Olympics. I also work very closely with our marketing and communications and competition teams. With the marketing and communications team, I work to ensure all of our partner deliverables are met (email marketing, social media etc). I also manage all of our vendors and sponsors at our regional and national championship regattas so I work very closely with our competition team for that. Externally, we have a wide range of sponsors at USRowing who I get to work with. We talk frequently with our sponsors to manage and strengthen our partnership. 

How have you taken what you learned with the Institute into what you’re doing now? 

My internship at the Institute was in events, which is an area I have a lot of touchpoint with in my role. Events have a lot of moving parts and different stakeholders, and handling that is something that the Institute helped me learn and that I take into my work now.

What are your future plans looking like? 

We’re very excited at USRowing for the Olympics to be in the US in less than three years and to have our national team competing on the world stage in LA. A lot of organizational strategy and work comes with that focus and look to the future.

What advice would you give to current students regarding the Institute? 

Apply for an internship with the Institute. The ability to have an internship during the semester on campus while taking classes is rare and not necessarily available at a lot of places like it is at Clemson, so definitely take advantage.

By Katie Gerbasich

Kyler Bose was a former Events Lead intern with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute. After graduating from Clemson in December 2024 she began working for the City of Clemson in their Parks and Recreation Department as the Community Programs Coordinator. Here, she plans and executes large-scale special events for the city. Blose hopes to one day be a manager or director of her own events department.

What does your job as Community Programs Coordinator look like? 

Every day is different. I plan and execute many of our large-scale special events, such as our upcoming Halloween event, “Trick or Treat on College Ave”, but I also do a lot with our senior citizen programs and youth programming. During the summer, I am the Assistant Director for Camp Clemson -a six week summer day camp for ages 5-10 years old- and the Assistant Director of TREC-our four week teen camp for ages 11-13 years old. I also handle a majority of vendor coordination for events and program registrations when I am not at an event or working on special projects throughout the year. 

How have you taken what you learned with the Institute into what you’re doing now? 

During my time as the Events Leader with the Institute, I learned a lot about what taking lead looks like and how to appropriately communicate your needs to people outside of your team. It really honed my skills on vendor communication and event scheduling, especially since I was the one tasked with arranging catering, decorations, finding a vendor for mini golf and a ton of other moving parts. I am not afraid to be specific and be direct, but also ensure that I remain professional, respectful, and open minded at all times. 

What are your future plans looking like? 

I hope to continue building my career portfolio and take on bigger projects in the next year. I think that I would like to become a manager or director over my own Programs and Events department someday. My current goal is to become a manager in the next two years. There is a lot of growth happening in this field and I have so many ideas for what the future of event planning can look like. 

What advice would you give to current students regarding the Institute? 

I like to think that the Institute gave me the extra push I needed to pursue my current career. It builds you up as a professional and forces you to take on new challenges. Never be afraid to say yes to a project or ask for help, the Institute is a tool and a valuable resource for other organizations but it is also a learning experience for you as well. Joining RBHSSI as their Events Lead was the best decision I ever made and played a huge role in shaping me as a professional.

The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute is thrilled to welcome several new Clemson faculty members to its cohort of Faculty Fellows.

SUSAN LIMBER, Ph.D., MLS

Dan Olweus Professor, Department of Psychology

Dr. Limber is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Psychology. Prior to her retirement in 2025, she was named the Dan Olweus Professor, highlighting her significant contributions to furthering the work of the late Dan Olweus, a pioneer in bullying prevention work. Dr. Limber is a developmental psychologist who also holds a Master’s of Legal Studies. Her nearly 25 years of research focus on psychological and legal issues related to bullying among children, as well as youth civic engagement, and children’s rights. She co-authored the book, Cyberbullying: Bullying in the Digital Age, in 2008. Awarded by the American Psychological Association (APA), she is a recipient of the Early Career Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest. Before coming to Clemson, Dr. Limber was the Associate Director at the Institute for Families in Society at the University of South Carolina. She also provided consultation to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on bullying prevention efforts from 2001-2016. Now, she serves as the Graduate Program Director for a PhD in International Family & Community Studies.

KATHRYN KISSKA-SCHULZE, JD, LL.M.

Associate Professor, School of Accountancy

Kisska-Schulze is the Elliott Davis Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Powers College of Business, School of Accountancy. She launched the School of Accountancy’s first Sports Law course in 2024. Her research focuses on the amateur and collegiate sports arena, with particular emphasis given to various tax consequences that could impact the amateur sports industry as it continues to evolve. Kisska-Schulze has published 13 sports-related research articles to date, including one titled “Brute Force (Anti) Federalism,” which won the Holmes-Cardozo Award in 2022. This premier research award is granted by the Academy of Legal Studies in Business. She has been invited to present her research or speak on sports law issues at Oklahoma Law School, UC Irvine Law, and various other schools across the country. Previously, she served for three years as Chair of the Sports and Entertainment Law Section of the internationally recognized Academy of Legal Studies in Business. Additionally, Kisska-Schulze now sits on Clemson’s Faculty Athletic Council.

ETHAN KUNG, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering

Kung is an Associate Professor jointly appointed in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering. His interdisciplinary research on aspects of cardiovascular biomechanics intersects with athletic performance and human physiology. Kung was awarded the National Science Foundation CAREER Award to develop an experimental-computational hybrid modeling framework of the cardiovascular system. This framework can be applied to better understand the complex relationship between exercise and body mechanics. His research has gained supportive funding from the American Heart Association, the Children’s Heart Foundation, and Saving Tiny Hearts Society. Additionally, he is an associate editor for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Journal of Biomechanical Engineering and serves on the Executive Committee of the ASME’s Bioengineering Division.

ALEX CHISHOLM, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning

Chisholm is as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning. He brings over fifteen years of experience teaching various social sciences in K-12, as well as mentorship experience at the University of Georgia. Chisholm’s research primarily focuses on black social studies, race in education, and civic education. His work explores the relationship between sports and societal development. A top journal in his field, The Social Studies Journal, recently published his article titled “Beyond the Standard: Teaching Civic Engagement Through Black Athlete Activism and Resistance.” At Clemson, Chisholm is also the Secondary Social Studies Student-Teaching Coordinator.

Clemson faculty and staff making contributions to the sports field, broadly defined, are invited to apply to become members of the Institute. Fellows meet twice annually, collaborate on multi-disciplinary projects and are eligible to receive additional funding from RHBSSI for their work. Click here to view the full list of fellows and click here to learn more about becoming a Brooks Fellow.