People
Research Interests
My primary research aim is development through sport. I have two distinct focal applications for this aim. First, I examine how sport is used as a resource to overcome difficult life transitions in adulthood and its effects on quality of life. My research agenda is set up to test sport participation on various transition points across the life-course both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Second, I investigate how sport business organizations may grow and develop, seeking strategic uses of sport programs and its delivery. The expected results will illuminate innovative ways to strategically meet both short-term and long-term sustainability objectives. Further, this second aim is used to inform my class curriculum and build sport industry relationships for future internship and job placements for students.
Other Interests: Development of sport, experiential learning in the sport setting, and using sport programs as marketing brand extensions.
Current Courses: Sport Communication, Administration of Sport and Physical Activity, Sport Administration Seminar, Field Internships, Sport Marketing (summer only), Sport Governance (summer only), Developmental Aspects of Sport (Graduate Level), PR/Media of Sport (Graduate Level)
Recent Publications and Research Activity
Kozubal, J., Walsh, D.W., & Odio, M. (In press). Marketing management and governance (Chapter 12). Sport Governance and Authority: Analysis & Applications. Human Kinetics: Champaign, IL.
Walsh, D.W. & Odio, M. (In press). Governing, power, and politics: The case of Jessica O’Hara and the events of the Houston Super Bowl. Sport Governance and Authority: Analysis & Applications. Human Kinetics: Champaign, IL.
Walsh, D.W., Green, B.C., Harrison, T., & Bowers, M. (In Press) “Sport as a resource caravan": Understanding how older adults use sport participation over the life course. Manuscript accepted in Journal of Global Sport Management.
Lee, D., Walsh, D. W., Maeng, L-S., & Lee, M. (Under final review). A case study on BIRFing and CORSing. In Zhang, J. J., & Pitts, B. G. (Eds.), Spectator vs. participant sports: Global perspectives. London, UK: Routledge.
Walsh, D.W., Green, B.C., Holahan, C., Cance, J.D., & Lee, D. (2019). Healthy aging: An evaluation of sport participation as a resource for older adults in retirement. Journal of Leisure Research, 50, 56-80.
Russell, A.M., Cottingham, M., Barry, A., Lee, D., & Walsh, D.W. (2018). Students transitioning to college and out of competitive sport: Athletic identity, coping, and stress. Journal of Applied Sport Management, 10(4), 34-50.
Daniels, E., Cottingham II, M., Walsh, D.W., & Pearson, D.W. (2017). An evaluation of university recreation center outdoor programs for people with disabilities: Perspectives from professionals. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership.
Walsh, D. W., Green, B.C., & Cottingham, M. (2017). Examining the efficacy of youth sport camps to build customer relationships, Leisure Studies, 36(5), 657-669. DOI: 10.1080/02614367.2016.1240222
Griffiths, R., Barton-Weston, H., & Walsh, D.W. (2016). Sport transitions as epiphanies. Journal of Amateur Sport, 2(2), 29-49.
Recent Awards
2018 University of Houston’s Provost Award for Teaching Excellence
2017 University of Houston’s CLASS Ross M. Lence Award for Teaching Excellence
Practical Experience
I have over 14 years of direct sport industry experience that includes professional sports, college athletics, non-profit organizations, and sport entrepreneurs, most notably with the San Antonio Spurs from 2002 to 2011. Other organizations I worked for include: USA Football, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Metro Atlanta, Forever Sports, Inc., Atlanta Hawks, University of Kentucky Athletics, and Kentucky Thoroughblades.
Education
B.S. in Kinesiology at University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 1998
M.S. in Sports Administration at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 2000
Ph.D. in Sport Management at University of Texas, Austin, TX, 2014