The Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies at the University of Tennessee honored Joshua Pate, PhD, as its Sport Studies Doctoral Alumni Scholar for 2018-19. Pate, who earned his PhD in Kinesiology and Sport Studies with a concentration in sport studies and specialization in sport management in 2012, is currently an associate professor at James Madison University.
As recipient of the alumni scholar honor, Pate returned to campus February 13-14, 2019, to deliver a public research presentation, provide guest lectures in courses, and meet with students and faculty. In his presentation, titled “Infusing Disability within Recreation and Sport Management,” Pate discussed strategies for enhancing the ways in which disability is incorporated into teaching and professional practice in the field. Click here to view a video recording of his presentation. He also spoke with students in the sport studies doctoral seminar and provided guest lectures in the graduate “Sport and Media Issues” course and undergraduate “Applied Ethics in Recreation and Sport” course. His visit also coincided with Therapeutic Recreation Month, and Pate participated in a Q&A session with members of the Therapeutic Recreation Student Association.
Pate, whose research focuses on disability sport, the experiences of individuals in sport, and sport communication and media, has published more than 25 refereed journal articles and/or book chapters. He also assists the University of Tennessee’s Center for Sport, Peace, and Society with its work in the Sport 4 Community program focused on equipping disability sport leaders from around the world to make positive change for inclusion in their home countries. Pate currently serves as the Pedagogical Innovations Editor of Sport Management Education Journal. At James Madison, he serves on the steering committee that established the Disability Studies Minor.
“I am grateful and humbled to be named the Sport Studies Doctoral Alumni Scholar,” Pate said. “It was such an honor to be invited back to campus and interact with the students and faculty. The sport management program and Partners in Sports are special to me because they prepared me for a career working in sport, first in the industry and later as a faculty member. From my first experience in the intro to sport management course with Dr. Buck Jones to the dissertation journey with Dr. Robin Hardin as my mentor and friend, the influence this program has had on me is unparalleled. I am truly humbled.”
While completing his PhD, Pate was advised by Robin Hardin, PhD. Pate also holds two other degrees from the University of Tennessee—a master’s degree in communications (2004) and a bachelor’s degree in education with a major in sport management (2002).
Sport studies is an interdisciplinary academic field that encompasses such areas as sociology of sport, sport management, sport history, and sport philosophy. The sport studies doctoral degree concentration in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies (KRSS) prepares its graduates to conduct research and teach in a variety of subjects within the sport studies field. The Sport Studies Doctoral Alumni Scholar award allows the Department of KRSS and the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences to recognize a graduate of the sport studies doctoral program who has made substantial contributions to the field of sport studies.
Pate is the second recipient of the Sport Studies Doctoral Alumni Scholar honor. Brody Ruihley (PhD 2010) was the inaugural recipient in 2017-18.