Two Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute faculty fellows were recently featured on Clemson University Research Foundation’s (CURF’s) social media accounts for their valuable research and work in the Clemson Headgear Impact Performance (CHIP) Laboratory.
John DesJardins, a bioengineering professor, and Greg Batt, a food, nutrition, and packaging sciences associate professor, have worked in the CHIP lab for several years, aiming to assess the faceguards on headgear in sports and improve their effectiveness and safety.
John DesJardins, middle, and Greg Batt, right, work with a student on helmet research in the CHIP laboratory.
Under Batt and DesJardins’ leadership, the CHIP lab offers unique opportunities for students interested in researching the effects of impacts on the head and neck in sports. Last year, the institute spotlighted the work of Bianca Henline, a then-senior bioengineering student who researched the effectiveness of commonly worn bull riding helmets.
The institute is proud to financially support much of the work performed in the CHIP lab as DesJardins and Batt continue to lead a team of innovative students and groundbreaking research.
At the start of the fall 2023 semester, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute launched an internship program for Clemson students with an interest in sports communication. Kayla FitzWilliam, a senior marketing and management double-major from St. Louis, MO, developed and published content for the institute’s social media pages and Sports Insights blog over the course of the semester, among other projects. FitzWilliam shares more about her accomplishments this semester and advice to future students.
FitzWilliam receiving her Clemson class ring in Fall 2022, commemorating the completion of 90 hours.
Describe one project from this semester that was most memorable to you.
One of my most memorable projects this semester was getting to interview Bianca Henline, who is a student doing research in the Clemson Headgear Impact Performance (CHIP) lab. This was my first solo project and I loved getting to craft a story, starting from the interview, and turning that into a final blog piece. I had the opportunity to tour the CHIP lab where she works and talk with Bianca about her story and motivation to work in the sports science field. I left feeling inspired and was amazed at all the work students and faculty at Clemson are doing to improve research initiatives in the sports science field.
Did you learn any new skills this semester?
During this internship, I gained valuable skills in interviewing and copywriting. I had conducted a few informal interviews before this semester, but I really improved my interviewing skills throughout these past few months. Writing blog posts was also something new to me but I became more confident in my voice the more I wrote. I had a lot of freedom in how and where I wanted to take each piece and I enjoyed getting to try different styles with each article. The interview and writing processes really allowed me to hone in on my written and verbal communication skills.
How do you feel this experience has helped prepare you for a career in sports marketing?
One way this internship has helped prepare me for a career in sports is through networking. The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute has a hand in all the sports-related research and events on campus and I had the opportunity to connect with many other sports-minded students and faculty at Clemson. Seeing the work that Clemson is producing in the sports world has shown me just how connected sports is to so many different aspects of our world. Having a more holistic understanding of sports is something I believe will help me standout as I prepare for a career in sports marketing.
After getting the chance to meet new people and learn about their research and activities at Clemson, what is your take on Clemson University’s position in the sports sciences field?
This role has definitely opened up my eyes to how much Clemson does in the sports science field. Being a marketing and management major in the College of Business, I didn’t have much exposure to what other colleges were doing, especially related to sports. I have gotten to see how virtually every department at Clemson has someone doing research related to sports, whether that be testing sports equipment or looking at the relationship between social trends and sports. I would say Clemson is in a very good position in the sports sciences field and I hope they continue to provide students with opportunities to get involved in the sports field.
What advice do you have for future students wanting to participate in this internship?
My advice is to really try to expose yourself to things outside of your field of study. Clemson offers so many opportunities for students and if you make the effort to put yourself out there, you will gain so many skills and experiences that you might not have gotten the chance to experience otherwise. One of my favorite parts of this internship was learning about and getting to highlight the amazing things students and faculty are doing, both inside and outside of the classroom. For anyone that is interested in this internship, have a good sense of the work, related to sports, that people at Clemson are doing. One of the most important jobs of this internship is finding people and stories that you can shine a light on.
Where are you headed in 2024 with classes, your career, etc. and what do you hope for the future?
I will be finishing up my final semester in the spring before I graduate in May, 2024. I am sad but also excited to get to enjoy one last semester at Clemson. Following graduation, I am planning on either going to graduate school to get my MBA or getting a job for a year or two before going back to get my MBA. While my exact plans post-grad are still up in the air, I know that I want to eventually do marketing or advertising for a company in their sports division.
Do you have any final remarks?
I know everyone says this when they graduate, but time really does fly by. My biggest piece of advice is to get involved in as many different things as you can. If there’s one thing that I learned through this internship, it’s that Clemson has so many different things to get involved in. If you have a passion about something, pursue it! If Clemson doesn’t have something that can help you pursue that, start it yourself. All the clubs on campus were started by somebody so don’t be afraid to pursue your interests. Clemson is the perfect place to try new things and explore your interests.
Kayla (right) at her last home Clemson football game as a student
Two students were recently selected to intern with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute in marketing and events for the Spring 2024 semester. Stay tuned to learn more. Visit Clemson.edu/Brooks-Sports.
Clemson Formula SAE (CUFSAE) is a student-run organization dedicated to designing, manufacturing, and competing with a formula-style race car. Clemson FSAE competes on an international level through events hosted by SAE International, formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers. Each year, they design and build a new vehicle from the ground up that meets the competition rules and pushes for innovation. The summer and fall are spent designing the new vehicle, which is then built in the spring. Throughout the year, the team also travels to different competitions to compete against other teams from all over the world.
In May 2023, Clemson FSAE competed in the Michigan International Speedway. The team finished 11th in design and 39th overall out of 120 teams.
From engineering to marketing to financial planning to graphic design, CUFSAE strives to provide students from all backgrounds with hands-on and real-world experiences. The team is broken down into six divisions, including business, aerodynamics, chassis, electrical, powertrain, and suspension, that collaborate in a fluid and integration-focused manner to create the finished product. The business division gives students the opportunity to gain experience running a small business by dealing with recruitment, sponsorship relationship management, and finances. On the engineering side, the aerodynamics division is responsible for the car components that harness the air around the moving vehicle; the chassis division is responsible for the chassis of the vehicle, as well as the ergonomics and braking subsystems; the electrical division is responsible for the electrical components, mainly the electrical harness; the powertrain division is in charge of the vehicle’s engine and all of the subsystems that harness the power it generates; and finally, the suspension division is responsible for how the car handles and controlling the interactions between the tires and the ground. Working closely with Clemson’s Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Science, Graphic Communications Department, and the Facilities Department, CUFSAE provides students with the tools to learn relevant skills while exploring the possibilities of employment in the automotive industry.
A member of the Clemson FSAE team shown working on building the structure of their new race car.
The Competitions
During the competitions, each team is judged on their engineering skills and ideas as well as production quality through a design review. The design review is hosted by a panel of industry engineers specializing in a variety of automotive fields. The vehicle must go through a rigorous technical inspection along with tilt, sound, and brake testing before it is allowed to compete. The drivers must also prove they have all the required safety gear and the ability to egress the car quickly. The dynamic portion of the competition includes acceleration, skidpad, autocross, and endurance events. Lastly, each team is scored based on their vehicle cost report as well as a business marketing presentation. Each competition is an incredible experience showcasing the preparedness and camaraderie it takes to compete in the automotive world.
The team’s race car for this season, the Tiger 23, shown in action during the Michigan International Speedway competition.
The Formula SAE series was developed as a way for student’s to put their classroom knowledge into motion. The competitions are primarily engineering-based but have expanded to include all aspects of racing, including the business side.
Finding Success
The Clemson Formula SAE has found much success this year. In November, the CUFSAE team traveled to Kennesaw State University in Barnesville, GA, for the Barnesville Shootout. Among the four competing teams, Clemson FSAE emerged victorious, securing a well-deserved 1st place. Bringing both of their cars, the Tiger 22 and 23, to the competition, they were able to showcase their dedication and craftsmanship from the past two years. The event not only celebrated success on the track but also served as a platform for new drivers to gain valuable experience during the driver trials competition. With 35 members, a mix of seasoned veterans and eager newcomers, the team demonstrated exceptional teamwork and skill, making this competition a standout moment in their racing season.
Clemson FSAE’s team cars, Tiger 22 and Tiger 23, pictured with their 1st place trophy from the Barnesville Shootout competition that took place in early November.
Season highlight performances:
In October, the Clemson FSAE team secured another victory at Michelin’s first-ever Formula SAE event, the Michelin Formula SAE Shootout. They came in 1st out of 6 teams in the Internal Combustion (IC) Class and also won 1st place overall. Additionally, back in September of this year, the team competed at the Pittsburgh International Raceway in the 2023 Pittsburgh Shootout, placing 7th out of 30 for the IC-class. The CUFSAE team is still in the process of testing and refining their car in preparation for the premier competition, the Formula SAE Michigan, taking place on May 8-11, 2024.
Additional highlights:
2018 Pittsburgh Shootout – 3rd Place 2018 Barnesville Match Race – 1st Place 2019 Formula South – 1st Place 2019 Michigan Int. SAE – 18th Place 2022 Formula South – 1st Place 2022 Michigan Int. FSAE – 36th Place 2023 Michigan Int. FSAE – 39th Place
Behind the scenes, the success of the Tiger 23 is largely attributed to the unwavering support of sponsors who have played a crucial role in shaping the car’s capabilities. The team has expressed heartfelt appreciation for these sponsors, including the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute. Their success has not only showcased their skill on the track but has also highlighted the collaborative spirit and dedication that fuels a winning team in automotive engineering. We congratulate the Clemson FSAE team on the success they have accomplished so far and wish them luck with the rest of their competition season!
Be sure to follow the Clemson Formula SAE team on Facebook and LinkedIn @ClemsonFormulaSAE to stay up-to-date on the amazing things they are doing.
In the world of sports, there is a continuous drive to improve human performance. In this field, small improvements can lead to significant advancements. One student at Clemson University hopes that his research will do just that.
Will Mendez is a senior at Clemson who is combining his passion for golf with his degree in Mechanical Engineering to push the boundaries of golf performance. Will’s research is shedding light on the impact that different materials have on golf club performance and hopes to one day make a lasting impact on the sport.
Will Mendez getting ready to drive the ball while playing golf
Growing up, Will was always fascinated by cars and loved playing golf. After spending a summer working at a local golf shop, Will discovered how he could combine his love for golf with his love for engineering and design. The following summer, he got an internship with Callaway Golf where he was able to gain hands-on experience designing golf clubs that are now being sold on their website. One of his favorite parts about product engineering is getting to see a project go from the prototype and testing stages to the final product that consumers can buy.
“It’s rewarding to know that I contributed to a product and now it’s being sold around the world. In product design, I love how you get to take a product, commercialize it, and turn it into something that can have an impact on people”
Will Mendez
Working for Callaway Golf, Will discovered his true passion and woke up excited to go to work every day. Coming back to Clemson this fall, he knew he wanted to continue learning about the intersection of these two fields. After discovering an opportunity through the honors college, Will realized he could do just that, while also gaining credits toward his degree.
Will’s Research
Will was curious about the impact that different materials in golf club heads have on ball performance but could not find any research on the topic online. This sparked Will’s idea and desire to find the answer himself. With the help of Dr. Garrett Pataky, assistant professor in Mechanical Engineering, and undergraduate research grants, Will has begun his research into finding a high entropy alloy that has good energy return properties to determine what would work best in golf clubs. He is using multiple testing methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the materials, including drop testing, gas gun testing, and speed measurement devices. Although the research project is still in the early stages, Will has overcome a few challenges already.
Will, on the left, pictured with two other interns he worked with at Callaway Golf
The main challenge he has faced so far has been having to build this research project by himself, from scratch. Not having much prior research experience, Will has had to learn as he goes. Although it has seemed daunting at times, he knows that it will be even more rewarding in the end. For that, he says he is thankful that Dr. Pataky has given him the freedom to control the direction of his passion project and test something that no one has tested before.
In the process of building his research project, Will has had to get creative with the materials and testing methods. While trying to find a drop testing device, he struggled to find a consistent release mechanism that could drop a golf ball from 20 feet onto a small metal disc. After unsuccessfully trying many different devices, he came up with the creative idea to combine two systems made from a fishing drone company – the first being a release mechanism that typically drops fishing lures out into the ocean, and the second being a golf ball dropper attachment connected to the release mechanism. Together, these two devices are able to drop the golf balls in exactly the same way every time. Will is also using a gas gun to shoot projectiles at his metal disc. A bluetooth photogate laser speed measurement device is used to measure pre-impact speed, and a high-speed camera is used to measure the post-impact speed. Collectively, these tests will show which high entropy alloys will result in greater energy return.
Will firing off the gas gun for testing
Will’s Goals
This research is a year-long project that will be completed when Will graduates this upcoming spring. While he doesn’t know what the outcome of the research will be yet, he hopes that he will be able to take what he learns and use it in his future career. Whether he finds a material that is perfect or one that should absolutely not be used, he wants to bring that knowledge to help his future golf employer. Being an avid golfer himself, Will understands the significance of the impact of materials on golf equipment and wants to be apart of improving performance of the game in the future.
Will hopes to join a company in the golf industry following his graduation in May 2024 and continue his work in product engineering. Will credits Clemson for giving him the foundation and tools to succeed in new and challenging environments and he will take those skills with him in his career. A top engineering program and family-like culture drew Will to Clemson and now, after beginning his final year, he says he “can’t imagine going to school anywhere else.”
DIY golf simulator that Will and his roommates built in their house
Bianca Henline, senior bioengineering student at Clemson University
Bianca Henline is currently a senior bioengineering student at Clemson University. After joining the Clemson Headgear Impact Performance (CHIP) Laboratory in the Fall of 2022, Bianca has been a part of multiple projects within the lab, testing the impact of large forces on protective headgear. The CHIP lab produces research that develops testing methods to understand the effects of impacts to the head and neck in order to aid in the prevention of sports related injuries.
The research Bianca most recently participated in involved using a pneumatic linear impactor to evaluate the effectiveness of commonly worn bull riding helmets. With the help of a grant from the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute, Bianca is starting a new project that is exploring sports-related impacts in order to evaluate the effectiveness of chest protective equipment.
We recently spoke to Bianca about her experience in the CHIP lab and how this research impacts the standard of safety for protective gear across sports.
Why did you choose Clemson University?
I knew Clemson had a good bioengineering program and the sporting aspect was a huge draw for me. Being from Ohio, I felt pushed to go out of state and once I went on a tour here, I fell in love with the school and small-town community.
What made you decide to major in Bioengineering?
I always knew that I wanted to do something in the medical field and for a while I thought I wanted to be a doctor but I also had a love for design. When I took Intro to Bioengineering, I realized I could combine the design aspect with math, physics and the human body and it was the perfect mix for me.
Pneumatic linear impactor stimulates force of impact that occurs during contact in sports
How did you get involved in the Clemson Headgear Impact Performance Lab?
I took Dr. Harvey’s sports engineering class and Dr. Avedesian, the director of sports science at Clemson, came into our class looking for students that were interested in getting involved in sports science. I decided to join and got the chance to analyze the performance of Clemson Olympic sports athletes. We made presentations and pitched our findings to the coaches on how their athletes were performing. During that time, I was paired with Adam Smith and he recruited me to join the CHIP lab. One of the reasons I love my major is because everyone is so supportive and is working toward the same goal.
What projects have you worked on in the Clemson Headgear Impact Performance Lab?
One of the big projects I helped work on involved testing bull riding helmets. A Ph.D. student in the CHIP lab, at the time, was given the project but had other projects he was working on so I worked with a master’s student to help with testing. I got to head the project over the semester and we used mask testing and the linear drop tower to test the durability and protectiveness of the helmets. I’ve also gotten to work on testing for other projects and over the summer, I started looking at other protective equipment like shoulder pads used in different sports protective gear.
Bianca is programming the linear impactor to test the impact of force against a bull riding helmet
Can you explain what you did during these projects?
I used an impact ram and fitted bull riding helmets on a head form that could be manipulated. Then, I impacted the helmet and recorded rotational acceleration and looked at head criterion and damage. Based on the metrics and the damage each helmet had, I categorized the helmets based on their rankings.
Were there any challenges you faced while working on these projects?
While using the linear drop tower, one of the heavy head forms was accidentally dropped, which led to the nose breaking. We tried gluing it, epoxy, etc. and ultimately, we had to order a new head which was expensive and took a while to come in. I also had an issue with the neck of one of the head forms that kept cracking. I didn’t know if it was a location or speed problem but I tried gluing it together to see if it would hold during the testing. I noticed that the times of impact were getting influenced by the glue so I ended up having to order a new neck. One thing about the lab is that everyone is very resourceful and we try to fix the problem ourselves before having to order new equipment.
Is there a specific reason you wanted to study the impact of safety gear?
I grew up playing tennis and freshman year of high school I kept passing out on the court. I was in and out of the hospital and the doctors couldn’t figure out why it kept happening. I eventually got diagnosed with POTS, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, after a family friend was diagnosed with it, sparking my diagnosis. There is still a lot we don’t know about the human body and I know how important research is, especially in sports. I want to contribute to research that helps people so that they don’t have to struggle getting a health diagnosis due to a lack of knowledge and research.
I am also very mechanical in the way I think. Force, velocity and pressure makes sense to me and dealing with armor was easier to understand.
Linear drop tower is used to test the durability of helmets
Your team was recently awarded a new grant by the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute. Can you tell me about the goals of this research?
This project is a holistic approach to body armor instead of just headgear. It provides a great opportunity to explore other parts of the body for research, like chest protectors, elbow pads, etc. I am looking at impacting similarly to the bull riding project and the effects of certain materials and positions of gear on their performance in a sports application.
Right now, we are doing preliminary literature reviews and testing out dummies. Once I have the equipment that I need and have outlined the method of what specifically I want to do, we will begin the actual testing. For this research project, we have three new Creative Inquiry students, one Bioengineering and two Packaging Science majors, and then three people that were already working in the lab that will be assisting in the research.
How has funding from the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute helped in your research?
Using the grant, I was able to get an entire body form to use for the protective gear testing. The body was super expensive but that grant has allowed us to expand our research capabilities to test different sports protective gear, outside of headgear testing. This equipment is a vital component of my current research but will also be used for other projects within the CHIP lab.
How do you think the work being done in the CHIP lab impacts the standards of protective gear in sports?
Bianca presenting her research on the effectiveness of bull riding helmets
I recently presented about the bull riding project and someone came up to me and shared how she wasn’t aware that people were having serious brain damage from the hockey helmets that were used for bull riding. It really puts into perspective that my work is impacting people and there are people that are truly touched. Through my research, I learned about a bull rider that committed suicide due to CTE, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, caused by repetitive impacts to the head. This really emphasized to me the importance of bringing awareness to the need for protective gear improvements and the work being done in the CHIP lab is contributing to that progress.
What are you involved in outside of the classroom?
I volunteer with Clemson Life every week and help with their cooking classes. Working with them is the highlight of my week. I have learned so much from them and I really do look up to them. I am also involved in Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, and two bioengineering organizations on campus. Outside of that, I am also super passionate about working out and running. I recently completed my first marathon and I definitely want to run more of them in the future.
What are your plans after graduating with your undergraduate degree in May?
I am staying at Clemson for my master’s in Bioengineering. I will be continuing my research in the CHIP lab looking into protection gear. After I finish my master’s, I want to go work in the industry, either in orthopedic or sports science.
Jason Avedesian, Ph.D., joined Clemson Athletics in November 2021 as the Director of Sports Science for Olympic Sports. He is a Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Biomechanics (University of Nevada Las Vegas, 2021) with an M.S. in Biomechanics (Ball State University, 2018) and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Kinesiology (Michigan State University, 2016).
Jason Avedesian, Director of Sports Science for Olympic Sports at Clemson University
Within this role, Avedesian oversees all sports science initiatives across Clemson Olympic Sports, including research and design, athlete monitoring, data analytics, and technology implementation. He also oversees the Clemson Olympic sports science internship program, consisting of a semester-long sports science curriculum. Avedesian has worked to bridge across the university to multiple academic departments through guest lectures, technology demonstrations, and open house events.
We spoke to Jason about his role on campus and the importance of olympic sports at Clemson University.
Give us an overview of your background and how it has led you to this point.
As an athlete growing up, I idolized my favorite professional athletes and was amazed by how effortlessly they performed their sport. It led me to curiosities related to the “why” behind human movement and performance. To help answers these questions, I obtained undergraduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Kinesiology from Michigan State University, followed by a Master’s in Biomechanics from Ball State University and PhD in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. My primary research to date has focused on sports-related concussion and ACL injury mechanisms and risk mitigation strategies in adolescent and collegiate athletes. While I enjoyed my graduate studies and research, I aspired to be an applied sports scientist within the university setting. I believed my research and scientific skills translated to helping student-athletes improve performance and mitigate injury risk. I was fortunate to be selected as the first Director of Sports Science (Olympic sports) at Clemson University and have served in this role since November 2021.
What are your responsibilities at Clemson?
As the Director of Sports Science for Olympic sports, I oversee our sports science initiatives across our Olympic sports. This includes research and development, data analytics, performance science, and technology implementation. My goal is to provide the best knowledge and data to our various high performance groups (sport coaches, performance coaches, sports medicine, nutrition) to better inform the decision-making process.
Additionally, I oversee the Olympic sports science internship program, consisting of a semester-long sports science curriculum. The sports science internship is composed of Clemson undergraduate and graduate students across various fields of study (engineering, mathematics, data science, physics, and computer science). Students are assigned specific teams each semester, completing various projects that are created by our high-performance groups.
What current projects are you working on?
While there are many projects at various stages of completion, a few of our bigger initiatives are listed below.
Jason utilizes Ploymats to measure athletes’ ground contact time and flight time during various jump/hop assessments
1) The sports science and sports medicine teams are working on systematically designing return-to-competition protocols for all major injury types. While each sport presents unique injury risk, we are striving to leverage our technology and data to provide more objective measures of a student-athlete’s progress during injury rehabilitation.
2) As sprinting performance is an important key performance indicator across a variety of our Olympic sports, we develop individualized force-velocity and load-velocity profiles for our athletes to develop specific sprint training programs.
Blast motion uses inertial measurement units (IMUs) placed on the knob of the bat to measure speed, power, and rotational characteristics of a batter’s swing
3) Leveraging our database of more than two million NCAA baseball pitches, we are developing predictive models to better understand which pitch characteristics lead to pitcher and hitter success.
Why are these initiatives important at Clemson?
With the increased use of technology and data within collegiate sports, there is a great need for dedicated personnel to leverage these resources for improving student-athlete health, well-being, and performance. Our sports science initiatives help us better understand how a student-athlete is developing during collegiate career, as well as identify any key performance indicators that may require targeted interventions from one or multiple of our high-performance groups. Additionally, these initiatives help us quantify historic performances at the individual and team-level that are useful for determining future indicators of student-athlete and team success relative to the ACC conference and NCAA.
Are there any novel technologies being utilized?
While the technology we utilize is relatively commonplace in professional sports, as well as gaining popularity within the university setting, the novelty is how we integrate our technology across our Olympic sports.
We are fortunate to have an array of technology to quantify various aspects of performance and injury risk. Our team of performance professionals (S&C and sports science) collaborate to interpret the data from this technology to better individualize training and monitor progress. We deem this process our “sports science feedback loop”, consisting of the following components:
1.) Data collection of objective, subjective, and practitioner-informed measures
2.) Data analysis and interpretation to determine normative values, thresholds, trends, and outlier performance
3.) Adjustment of training based upon the presented data relative to the individual athlete, historic information, and time of season
4.) Implement adjustments during training, competition, and recovery
The Olympic Sports Science Program hosts an open house, Fall 2022
How are you bridging the gap between athletics and academics?
The relationship between athletics and academics is paramount for a successful sports science program at the university level. One of my first priorities at Clemson was developing strong relationships with our academic partners. Meeting various faculty members and visiting facilities on campus gave me greater insight into how sports science could “bridge the gap” between athletics and academics. Of our accomplishments so far, I am most proud of our sports science internship program. Clemson undergraduate and graduate students from various departments gain real world sports science experience working with our technology and teams to help provide support across Olympic sports. Students are responsible for data collection, analysis, and knowledge dissemination. In less than a year since starting the program, Clemson Olympic sports science interns have secured positions within MLB and the NCAA. We hope to continue to build our internship program to provide Clemson students with the best opportunities to develop their sports science skillsets. One of my personal goals is for former Clemson sports science interns to occupy positions within every professional sports league.
How is the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute partnering with you?
The Brooks Institute was instrumental in the creation of my position at Clemson. I am very thankful for the support of the Brooks Institute for allowing me the opportunity to fulfill a dream and provide a service to Clemson athletics and our student-athletes.
What do you see as the future of this athletic-academic partnership?
I see the partnership between the Brooks Institute and Clemson Olympic sports science continuing to grow and provide more opportunities for Clemson students to fulfill dedicated sports science roles within our program. I believe this continued partnership will ultimately allow us to provide the best experience to Clemson student-athletes.
The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute at Clemson University serves as a multi-disciplinary platform for the academic study of sport sciences across the university. Through the foundation of four Legacy Professors in motorsports engineering, sports communication, sports management and sports marketing, the institute defines, enhances and promotes the role of sports in academia and society. We provide experiential learning opportunities through academic programs, research, sports organizations and support for service and outreach programs. Through all of our activities, we seek to prepare people to perform at the highest levels within sports industries, as well as provide an acute understanding of the significance of sport in modern society.
We also work with faculty, staff and students from disciplines across the university in the study of sport. This comprehensive study of sports encompasses the enhancement of individual and organizational performance, the advancement of human development, and the promotion of improved general health and social well-being within our communities. Over time, the institute has cultivated valuable partnerships with industry stakeholders, fostering opportunities for research, academic program development and student internships.
Background
Robert H. Brooks, a Clemson University alum and philanthropist
The naming of the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute is a testament to the enduring philanthropic spirit of Robert H. Brooks. Brooks is a Clemson University alum who earned a degree in dairy science in 1960. In an effort to give back to his alma mater, Brooks provided substantial funding to the university, with the vision of establishing a sports science institute as a tribute to the members of his racing team, including his son Mark Brooks ’91, NASCAR Champion Alan Kulwicki, and co-workers Dan Duncan and Charlie Campbell, who tragically died in a plane crash in 1993.
After earning his degree from Clemson, Brooks went on to become a revolutionary in the food-service industry, going on to found Naturally Fresh, Inc. and eventually becoming the chairman of Hooters of America, Inc. Driven by a profound love for Clemson University and a commitment to giving back to his alma mater, the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science stands as an inspiring symbol of his generosity and commitment to furthering the study of sports.
Initiatives
With national championships and top 25 academic rankings, Clemson University is known for its excellence on the field and in the classroom and research lab. The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute seeks to marry these areas of excellence through the academic study of sport sciences.
“As Director of RHBSSI, I often tell people I work at the intersection of Academic Street and Athletic Avenue.”
– Brett Wright, Ph.D., director of Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute
Today, the institute supports research and scholarships as well as Legacy Professors named for Brooks’ son and three colleagues who past away. The reach of the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute is an effort that is ever growing and evolving with the addition of research seed grants, a lecture series and other initiatives, including but not limited to:
Brooks Student Scholars: Culmination of students awarded Markvan Bellamy Brooks Endowed Scholarships, graduate students funded as teaching and/or research assistants in the institute’s legacy departments (motorsports engineering, sports communication, sports management and sports marketing), and other students actively engaged in the study of sport.
Markvan Bellamy Brooks Endowed Scholarship: This fund provides scholarships to undergraduate students who major in one of the legacy programs: automative engineering, sports management, sports communication, and sports marketing.
Research Seed Grants: Each year, competitive seed grants are awarded to Clemson faculty and researchers to engage in multidisciplinary sports research.
Robert H. Brooks Lecture Series in Sports Sciences: The lecture series features notable speakers from the intersection of sports, society and academics. It highlights leading-edge work in sports sciences outside of the Institute and provides a mechanism for engaging the entire Clemson community in the Institute’s work.
Clemson University undertakes this mission out of deep respect for Robert H. Brooks and as testimony to his love for Clemson University and his love for sports.
Stay Connected with RHBSSI
Be sure to check out our website here and follow us on Facebook (@RHBSSI) and LinkedIn (@Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute) for more information and to stay up-to-date on upcoming events.
The recipients of the 2021-2022 Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute’s seed grants all seek to tackle scientific and social problems connected to a broad range of sports; each team taking a different approach to fulfill that mission. One set of researchers wants to help bull riders protect their heads with helmets designed specifically for them. Another group of researchers want to protect high school athletes by better understanding the injury risk factors that are specific to their sport.
This is the third year the Institute has awarded seed grants to Clemson researchers from the College of Business, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Forestry and Life Sciences. The Institute has funded researchers’ proposals in each of the colleges over the years. The seed grant program supports collaborations that accelerate Clemson faculty members’ ability to address significant scientific and societal problems associated with, and improve the human condition through sports, broadly defined.
The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute calls for seed grant proposals in January of each year. The submission deadline is typically in mid-March. Awardees receive their funding in July of each year and have two years to complete the work.
“This is the third year of the seed grant program and we have had faculty teams from all seven colleges funded,” said Director Brett Wright. “The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute is very pleased to help jump start faculty research projects that have the potential to improve the performance of our student-athletes, or more importantly, enhance the health and well being of our students and members of our communities.”
The Institute awarded four seed grants for the 2021-2022 academic year, totaling $90,811. Learn more about each of the research projects below.
It’s no bull!
Bull riding is a dangerous sport, with 21 fatalities over two decades; More than half of all bull riders experience head trauma. Some riders started using hockey helmets to protect their noggins when that bull leaves the chute. But the evidence is out on how well, if at all, that helmet – designed for another sport – protects the riders’ heads. Some riders use a helmet specifically designed for bull riding, but research is not conclusive on its effectiveness either.
Clemson researchers hope to develop a helmet specific for bull riding that offers riders more protection.
Clemson University professors Greg Batt and John DesJardins want to study the efficacy of the two types of helmets in hopes to help helmet manufacturers improve design; help inform riders’ decisions on which helmet to wear; and further our collective knowledge regarding protection from brain injuries.
“In recent years, bull riding has grown in popularity despite being called the most dangerous sport by one peer reviewed sports journal [1]. Currently, only a couple helmets are available on the market that are made specifically for bull riding, and none of the helmets have published research on their efficacy beyond proof of passing the rodeo headgear testing standard, ASTM F2530,” Batt explained. “This standard uses an impacting method which does not replicate or measure head rotation. We saw an opportunity to improve current bull riding helmet testing by utilizing state-of-the-art head impact equipment and head response metrics capable of capturing head rotation forces.”
Batt is director of Clemson’s Package Dynamics Lab (PDL) and an associate professor for the Department of Food, Nutrition and Packaging Science. Dr. DesJardins is the director of the Laboratory of Orthopedic Design and Engineering (LODE) and is the Robert B. and Susan B. Hambright Leadership Professor in the Department of Bioengineering.
With their grant from the Institute, Batt and DesJardins will emulate a bull kicking a helmet with specially designed anvils.
Did you get a Peloton during the pandemic?
You’re not alone. In fact, the fitness company’s subscriptions increased by 94% over the last year. Fitness instructors have a significant impact on members’ motivation. Now that most people are working out virtually, how much more important is the instructor’s role? Two Clemson University Communication professors plan to find out.
Consumer spending experts reported that 59% of Americans don’t plan to return to the gym after the pandemic. Many Americans reported they preferred the online workouts at home. Kristen Okamoto and Brandon Boatwright, assistant professors in the Department of Communication, want to understand the motivation behind these changes to fitness routines and the impact it will have on the multi-billion fitness industry.
Okamoto has a research focus on health and organizational communication. Boatwright focuses on sports communication. Together, they want to crack this health phenomenon.
No, you are not color blind!
The Clemson University orange we all associate with the tiger paw may have appeared red on your TV screen. The purple looked blue. Clemson fans have noticed these color discrepancies on their screens over the years.
This problem isn’t limited to Clemson. This brand color discrepancy is also apparent with other teams, such as the Dallas Cowboys, where their silver pants appeared green during a broadcasted game.
Clemson football jerseys often appear blue on television screens. Clemson Graphics Communication professor Erica Walker, with her research team, continues to develop AI to fix this problem in real time.
For many teams, the brand identity is based on the team colors, which is why correcting this problem is critical to sports franchises. Unfortunately, correcting the brand colors also affects the other colors in the frame. Environmental lighting and post-production color adjustments affect the entire frame of the broadcast feed. So, while the brand color would appear correct, the rest of the frame would alter as well, ruining other colors at the expense of fixing the brand color.
Dr. Erica Walker, Dr. Hudson Smith and a Creative Inquiry class have created an AI program, ColorNet, to address this color confusion. ColorNet ingests live video and adjusts each frame pixel-by-pixel targeting the brand color regions, then outputs color corrected video in real-time. This ensures accurate brand colors without negatively impacting other areas of the frame. The program was tested on PawVision in 2019 and it successfully corrected Clemson’s orange on screen.
Walker, an assistant professor in Graphic Communications, Smith, a research data scientist at the Watt Family Center for Innovation, also received a RHBSSI Seed Grant to further their work.
“With further development of Color Net, we plan to integrate our AI-based color management solution with Clemson Athletics through a hardware and a software solution,” Walker said. “This technology will help athletic content creators ensure that Clemson Orange and Clemson Purple consistently look like fans expect on the screens in the stadium and in Clemson Athletics social media posts.”
Determining injury risk factors in high school sports
An active lifestyle in high school is a good indicator of a healthy lifestyle as an adult. For most adolescents that physical activity comes from organized sports. Two local professors are partnering with a local non-profit organization to better understand the injury risk factors related in specific sports – specifically volleyball, cross-country, and football.
Dr. Joel Williams and Dr. Chris Hopkins will collaborate with PlaySafe, a non-profit organization based in the upstate of South Carolina who provides sports medicine care to athletes at over 70 high schools across South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. PlaySafe’s mission is to keep young athletes safe by educating, promoting, supporting, and fostering healthy lifestyles, wellness, and safe athletic participation in active youth, young adults, and the community at large.
The PlaySafe injury surveillance and outreach model has caught the attention of the NFL through the National Athletic Trainer’s Association. Dr. Williams and Dr. Hopkins research proposal caught the eyes of the RHBSSI grant selection committee.
Williams is an associate professor of public health sciences; Hopkins is a Furman University associate professor of applied health research and evaluation.
The focus of their research project is to better estimate the injury risk in high school sports and identify injury risk factors, which may help develop future injury prevention strategies for young athletes. Previous injury risk research with these populations has generally used rudimentary measures of sport exposure that lack sport-specific detail. Improving the accuracy of injury surveillance and conducting pre-season screening will allow for the investigation of sport-specific injury risk factors.
By Kirsten Windbiel, a Master’s Student in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management major
Clemson University Paralympic Soccer announces the signing of two additional Fall 2021 recruits, Kevin George McCandlish and Gavin Kohner, who will join Shea Hammond and Tim Huff with the Paralympic Soccer Residential Training Program (RTP). Clemson’s RTP is a unique opportunity for athletes with disabilities and allows players to continue playing collegiate soccer while earning their college degree. Players earn in-state tuition wa iver in the form of an athletic scholarship and will train weekly with the team. Players will seek to excel on the field with team training, personal development training and strength and conditioning, as the program seeks to prepare players for the US Para National team. This distinctive program, the only one in the country, is paving the way for soccer players with disabilities in the United States.
Signing Athlete Bios:
Kevin George McCandlish
Kevin McCandlish signs his intent to join Clemson’s Paralympic soccer residential training program.
Kevin comes to Clemson from Virginia and plans to pursue his degree in the Sports Management program. He started playing soccer when he was around 3 years old. In his early years, McCandlish simply enjoyed the sport for fun. He couldn’t imagine where it has led him today. By 9, McCandlish started to take soccer more seriously and joined his first travel team. In 2017, he got the chance to start playing for the U.S. Paralympic National Team (USPNT). Ever since 2017, McCandlish’s view of soccer and life dreams changed drastically. Kevin has Spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP), which affects the right side of his body. The CP affects his speed and ability to use both feet – obstacles McClandlish has overcome in his journey.
He is excited to play for Clemson with players who are similar to him.
“It’s nice to finally be able to train with them every day instead of only being able to for a week every now and then with the national team.,” McClandlish said. “This is going to help us build better chemistry on and off the field.”
Welcome to Clemson University, Kevin!
Gavin Kohner
Gavin Kohner is one of two players to recently sign a letter of intent to join Clemson’s Paralympic soccer team.
Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, Gavin Kohner plans to study Business Accounting at Clemson and later pursue law school. Joining Clemson is a childhood dream for Kohner.
“It has been my dream since 8th grade to attend Clemson and play soccer at the collegiate level through the parasoccer program,” Kohner said. “I am extremely grateful to receive the scholarship and have worked hard to get here. I am excited to join fellow teammates and get out on the field!”
Growing up, soccer was always something Kohner looked forward to playing at the end of the day. Soccer was great stress-relief for him. Kohner also has cerebral palsy, resulting in hemiparesis on his right side. One of the barriers Kohner has overcome — in both life and soccer — is increased injury and discomfort to his body compensating for his disability. As a result, he has dedicated more time and effort into stretching and taking care of his body. In addition, Kohner focuses on intentional training, recovery, and nutrition.
“My goals are to grow and excel both on and off the field and academically,” Kohner said. “One of my dreams is to join the USPNT as both a consistent and strong team player.”
Welcome to Clemson, Gavin!
For more information regarding the Clemson Paralympic Soccer Program, visit http://clemsonparalympicsoccer.org or follow the program on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter @cuparasoccer for updates.
By Marissa Kuula, a senior Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management major, focusing on Community Recreation, Sport and Camp Management
Clemson Paralympic Soccer is a program run through Clemson University to provide soccer programming for various populations with disabilities. Their programs seek to improve the quality of life through their Residential Training Program, VA Adaptive Soccer Camps, Tutor, Talk and Train Program, Additional Adaptive Sport Opportunities such as 5-a-side Blind Soccer, 7-a-side Para Soccer, and adaptive weight training sessions, and continuing research and education. One of the programs from which many of the others have grown from has been funded by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs the last 5 years and supports veterans with disabilities to experience adaptive Soccer. In partnership with US Soccer, we are able to provide veteran participants with a US Soccer grassroots coaching certification, a mental health first aid certification and provide them with an overview of a number of the adaptive soccer programs growing around the country. We followed up with some of their past participants to see how this camp has impacted their life.
Christian Gay: U.S. Army Veteran
Residing in Colorado, Christian previously lived in Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, Kuwait, and Iraq over the course of his service in the Army National Guard. Crossing paths with US Men’s Paralympic Soccer team coach, Stuart Sharp, at the Eastern and Southern Regional TOPSoccer Conference, he was told about Clemson Paralympic Soccer’s veteran
s soccer camps. In regard to his participation in camp, Christian expressed that “I loved learning about new ways to coach players with special needs and being with other veterans.” When asked what he took away from the camp experience, Christian stated, “there is always a way for everyone to be able to play and love soccer.” This sentiment was taken beyond camp. Christian then went on to coach in
Christian Gay
his community, utilizing a U.S. Soccer Coaching Certification that is provided at camp. One of his astonishing accomplishments has been the role of the TOP Soccer program for Desoto Soccer Association. TOPSoccer is a community-based training program for athletes with intellectual, emotional, and or physical disabilities. The program strives to provide soccer opportunities for players to develop at their own pace in a safe, fun, and supportive/inclusive environment. While working as VP of TOPSoccer in the Desoto Soccer Association, Christian loves working with the kids in the program, stating that “being with the kids was more rewarding than I could have ever imagined.”
Al Marconi: U.S. Naval Reserves Veteran
Al Marconi
Currently living in California, Al served in the U.S. Naval Reserves for six years and the U.S. Army Reserves for fourteen years. Over the course of his service, he lived all over the continental United States, in multiple Mediterranean Sea ports, and in parts of the Caribbean. Hearing about the Clemson veteran soccer camp program from the physical therapist at his VA hospital, Al enjoyed the “thoroughness of the content taught at camp and the friendly and non-stressful demeanor of the instructors.”
In addition to lessons regarding adaptive soccer coaching, participants also go through Mental Health
First Aid training, which teaches them how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse disorders. From this training, Al expressed that he “learned to be attuned to the feelings and emotional mind sets of those around me”. Al is now a volunteer with the Recreation Department of the Jerry Pettis memorial VA Medical Center in Loma Linda, California and is a player and coach of an all-veteran Power Soccer team in Hemet, California. In regard to the position of volunteer with the VA Recreation department, AL assists the staff of Recreation Therapists in providing daily activities and community re-entry opportunities for the veterans in the convalescent, rehabilitation, dementia, and palliative care units of the VA hospital. When acting as a player and a coach for the Power Soccer team, Al assists the head coach by helping structure team practices, utilizing knowledge gained from Clemson veteran camp participation to aid in gameplay and practice direction.
Paige McCune: Recreational Therapist, The Center
Paige McCune works at an adaptive recreation facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and attended Clemson Paralympic Soccer’s 4th virtual camp in 2020. Clemson Paralympic Soccer VA camps not only cater to veterans, but allow other adaptive recreation professionals that work with veterans to attend. Paige attended one of the recent Zoom online camps hosted by the program and stated that she enjoyed “learning about different styles of adaptive soccer, meeting other professionals in the field, and how that despite being online, the camp was still hands on and active.” Following camp, Paige expressed interest in expanding her facility’s current offering of Power Soccer to include blind and CP soccer. When asked what future goals she had in regard to the program she works with, Paige stated that “In the future I foresee that I will still be the coach (of the power soccer program), will lead practices, and will develop programming accordingly. The program also has goals of reaching out to and connecting with a handful of soccer communities in the area.” A major takeaway from camp for Paige was that “it doesn’t matter where we start, but that we started. Soccer can be for all levels and ages.”
Clemson Paralympic Soccer is so grateful for all of the amazing participants that they get the honor to work with and serve. Whether at an in-person camp or virtual, the camps offer a number of great opportunities and interactive sessions that they hope participants will be able to utilize back in their communities, whether that’s coaching on a soccer team or being an advocate for disability soccer. Clemson Paralympic Soccer will continue to host virtual camps for veterans and professionals through the Spring of 2021, and hope to be back out on the field shortly after!
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For more information regarding the Clemson Paralympic Soccer Program and VA Adaptive Soccer Camps, visit http://clemsonparalympicsoccer.org or follow the program on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter @cuparasoccer for updates.
