Living Well episode highlights the public health impact of sport
Dr. Kyle Kercher
In a recent episode ofLiving Well: Public Health for All, host Lisa Koontz is joined by Dr. Kyle Kercher and IU School of Public Health–Bloomington students Luke Troyer and Maddie Mastin to discuss how sport can advance public health. The conversation highlights Hoosier Sport, a campus-community initiative that partners with local schools and organizations to create youth programs focused on physical activity, mentorship, and leadership development. Together, they share how sport-based programming supports both physical and social well-being while giving students hands-on experience making a difference in their communities.
Ph.D. student Perry Battles (left) with Tyler Noble (right)
SPH‑B Ph.D. studentPerry Battleshas received USA Track & Field’s2025 Dr. Mel Ramey Sport Science Awardfor developingJavBuddy, amarkerlessmotion‑capturetool that helps elite javelin throwers analyze and refine their technique. Created in collaboration with SPH‑BalumnusTyler Nobleand USATF sport scientistLiaSkoufos, the tool has already supported athletes likeCurtis Thompson, contributing to his historic medal at the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Battles and the team are now working toward areal‑timevideo analytics app to further supportOlympic‑levelperformance.
Gruber, associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology, provided her insights for a NYT article about running shoes—what causes wear and tear, what happens if you run in worn-out shoes, and the signs you should look for when replacing your shoes.
Undergraduates S. Korn Radoff, N. Nathan, and J. Roudebush
In February, Sport Marketing and Management undergraduates Sloane Korn Radoff, Nilesh Nathan, and Jaxon Roudebush earned first place at the 2026 SRLA Graduate Case Study Cup Competition in New Orleans. Guided by Clinical Assistant Professor Jim Evans, the team analyzed a complex sport law scenario involving student‑athlete NIL rights, university IP, and sponsorship contracts—outperforming graduate and law student teams nationwide. Nilesh Nathan also placed runner‑up in the undergraduate research competition for his presentation on IOC and FIFA host selection policies.
Associate Professor Blair Johnson has received a $945,000 Department of Defense award to install one of the nation’s coldest extreme environmental chambers—capable of reaching –40°C—on the IU Bloomington campus. This groundbreaking facility will allow Dr. Johnson, Dr. Zachary Schlader, and collaborators to study cold‑weather physiology, frostbite risk, and equipment performance in Arctic‑level conditions. The chamber will also support broader research on environmental stressors and open new opportunities for national partnerships.
Our Athletic Training (AT) program has a long and distinguished record of success, reflected most clearly in its consistently high certification pass rates. That tradition of excellence has remained strong even as the program has navigated major transitions. Moving from an undergraduate model to a Master of Science program required simultaneously building a new graduate curriculum while thoughtfully sunsetting both the undergraduate track and other master’s-level offerings.
Throughout this evolution, our AT colleagues—Brad Sage, Jackie Kingma, and Leif Madsen—have demonstrated exceptional leadership, expertise, and unwavering commitment to student success. Their work ensures that our program not only maintains its high standards but continues to thrive amid shifting degree structures and accreditation expectations.
This year also showcased the remarkable dedication of our athletic training students, who traveled with our football team throughout the season and played an integral role in supporting the health, performance, and resilience of our student‑athletes. Their professionalism and hands‑on contributions were part of the foundation that helped propel our team to wins at the Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl, and finally, a championship win.
This is a story worth sharing widely. The AT program stands as a model of resilience, innovation, and excellence—preparing outstanding professionals while contributing meaningfully to the success of our teams and our school community.
