Time Out

This episode explores how soccer and the World Cup connect with geopolitics, international relations, and global influence. Dr. Gonzalo Bravo talks with Andrés Martínez, the co-director of The Great Game Lab at Arizona State University, where he also serves as a special advisor to the university president. His work explores the global convergence of sport, media, and geopolitics. Previously he ser...

This episode features an in-depth discussion on the planning, logistics, and science that drive successful mega sporting events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Dr. Gonzalo Bravo talks with John Terry, Vice President of Events at U.S. Soccer Federation. He oversees coordination of event operations for U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Team matches, including venue operations, field/turf management, sec...

This episode features a discussion on how innovation and artificial intelligence are shaping the future of fairness and decision-making during the World Cup. Dr. Gonzalo Bravo talks with Juan Jose “Cheche” Vidal, a pioneer in the application of technology in the FIFA World Cup. He served as Vice President for Technology during the USA 1994 World Cup. A former NCAA and Olympian soccer player, he at...

This episode features a behind-the-scenes look at media operations and communication strategies at the highest level of international sport. Dr. Gonzalo Bravo talks with Rob De Leede, a professor of public relations and communications at The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. He previously served as press officer for the Dutch National Team (1995–2004) as well as media office...

In this episode, Dr. Peter McGahey talks with Scott Snyder - the Senior Director of Sport Development for AYSO - American Youth Soccer Organization. Scott shares the importance of an athlete or child-centered approach to grassroots sports - the games belong to them. Scott discusses some of the challenges that the professionalization of grassroots youth sport poses and some strategies he’s implemen...

In this episode, Dr. Peter McGahey talks with Ken Martel - the Senior Director of Player & Coach Development for USA Hockey. Ken describes some of the unique challenges of youth hockey and the importance of a player’s first grassroots coach.  Ken discusses the importance of creating youth sports environments where every player feels like they belong and are valued - coaches, parents, leagues p...

In this episode, Dr. Peter McGahey talks with Dr. Joanna Lane - the Senior Director of Education and Program Development for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Dr. Lane discusses the importance of grassroots coaches instilling and fostering a passion for playing in their athletes. Sharing the importance of empowering athletes, Dr. Lane describes the importance of showing up and being ther...

In this episode, Dr. Dana K. Voelker talks with Bianca Smith – the first Black woman to coach in Major League Baseball history. Bianca flips the script for young people looking for role models, describes how others can advocate for women in sport leadership positions, and takes honest perspective on the value of diversity in sport at the highest levels; through her storytelling, she exemplifies wh...

In this episode, Dr. Dana K. Voelker talks with Rachel Balkovec – the first woman to manage a Major League Baseball (MLB) – affiliated team and the first woman to become a full-time strength and conditioning coach and full-time hitting coach in MLB history. Rachel gets real about her experiences with discrimination as a woman in professional sport coaching, her perseverance through rejection, the...

In this episode, Dr. Dana K. Voelker talks with Val Ackerman – commissioner of the Big East Conference, founding president of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and past president of USA Basketball. Val reflects upon the impact of Title IX, launching the WNBA, life as a working mother, the biggest changes she has seen across her storied career, and hopes for the future of girls an...

In this episode, Dr. Dana K. Voelker talks with Emily Engel-Natzge – the first woman to be a full-time coach in Washington Capitals franchise history and among the first in the National Hockey League. Emily details her journey up the ranks to become one of a small number of women on the coaching staff in men’s professional sports; she talks about support, challenges, and advice for those with simi...

Transforming Professional Practice: Innovating with Digital Technology in Physical Education Managing planned changes, such as adding new digital tools and educational technologies to health and physical education settings, can seem especially daunting if there is not sufficient capacity to carry out the plan. In this episode, educators from across the country pull back the curtain to reveal strat...

Transforming Professional Practice: Innovating with Digital Technology in Physical Education In this episode, we will consider, explore, and reflect on a range of digital technologies that have served to enhance physical education classroom settings. Educators from across the country reveal some of the factors that are critical in their decision-making and technology adoption process. Their storie...

Transforming Professional Practice: Innovating with Digital Technology in Physical Education In this episode, we will explore strategies physical educators use to determine the function and value of technology in their classrooms. We will unpack guiding frameworks and best practices that can shape how we consider the ways digital technologies can enhance our professional practices.

Check out the new series, Time Out, from the WVU School of Sport Sciences. This series is focused on the topic of Physical Education and digital technology. We’ll explore innovation in schools, engage with the lived experiences of experts, and consider ways digital technologies can challenge our thinking, enhance our practices and help us develop as teachers and leaders in Physical Education.