Chad Carlson ’03 started at Hope in fall 2014. He is professor of kinesiology and the director of general education. He is also the co-founder and co-director of SPORT. FAITH. LIFE. Before working at Hope, Chad was in the Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies Department at Eastern Illinois University.

He was co-director of the Second Global Congress on Sport and Christianity in 2019 and continues to serve as an organizer of the Global Congresses on Sport and Christianity.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Chad’s research is focused broadly on the socio-cultural aspects of sport. His areas of specialization and interest include the philosophy of sport, the history of sports and their role in cultural trends, and the connection between sports and Christianity.

EDUCATION

• Ph.D., kinesiology and the history/philosophy of sport program, Penn State University, 2010
• M.A., health, physical education and recreation, and pedagogy program, Western Michigan University, 2005
• B.A., secondary education with social studies and physical education, Hope College, 2003

HONORS, GRANTS, AND AWARDS

• Spring 2022 Visiting Fellow at the Van Raalte Institute
• Christian Reformed Church of North America Ignite Ministry Startup Grant Funding Recipient
• Co-director of 2019 Global Congress on Sport and Christianity (October 23–27, 2019, Calvin College)
• Calvin University Center for Christian Scholarship Grant Recipient
• Recipient of a Mellon Foundation Grand Challenges Initiative Grant on campus (topic: Sport and Value)

PUBLICATIONS

• Guest Editor, Special Issue: The Christian Sportsperson, Journal of the Christian Society of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies, Vol. 7, No. 2 (2022)
• Guest Editor, Special Issue: Sport, Christianity, and Gender, International Journal of the History of Sport. Vol. 39,   No. 4 (2022)
• Guest Editor, Special Issue: Play, Sport, and Physical Activity, Christian Scholar's Review, Vol. 50, No. 4 (Summer 2021)

OUTSIDE THE COLLEGE

Chad, his wife, Kathi ’03, and their kids, Brielle and Bryce, love spending time together traveling, playing sports, or attending/watching sporting events. They especially love Penn State football and Silver Lake.

Chad loves reading and loves to play virtually any sport. In particular, he enjoys recreational basketball, soccer, pond hockey, pickleball and stand-up paddleboarding.