Sport Psychology
Here at ASU, sport psychology is the science of performance excellence. It is about understanding and applying the mind in ways that maximize human potential. This means helping good student-athletes and teams become great and great ones become exceptional. Brian Zuleger, Ph.D., Mental Strength Coach, heads up performance based sport psychology services for ASU Athletics. He works with Grizzly student-athletes, coaches, and teams to develop a psychological edge in training, competition, and life. The overall goals of ASU Sport Psychology are to help student-athletes and teams perform at their best, make the most out of their experiences at ASU, and prepare them for lifelong success. Sport psychology takes on a variety of forms that can range from a five-minute discussion in passing, to a brief talk at practice, or a 45-minute session in an office. Sport psychology sessions are generally instructional, collaborative, and solution-focused. However, they are not therapy sessions. There are great resources on campus and in the community for mental health counseling that this office can refer student athletes to, but the focus of the ASU Sport Psychology Program is offering performance based mental training to help all Grizzlies compete at their best. These mental training and sport psychology topics can be applied by the happiest, healthiest, and most successful student-athletes, as well as those who are struggling to perform consistently.
LOCATION
The Sport Psychology and Mental Training Lab Offices are located in Dr. Zuleger’s Office (EC110E). For more info on mental training lab hours and locations on a semester by semester basis please follow this link
https://blogs.adams.edu/chpce/services/mental-training/
How to get to us:
East Campus 110E: Located in the faculty office cluster in the southwest corner of the building.
Staff
Brian Zuleger Ph.D., CMPC
Brian is a
certified mental performance consultant with the
Association for Applied Sport Psychology and is a member of the
United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology Registry. He is highly qualified to provide mental strength training services. His philosophy centers around the idea that we are all performers in life. He uses a "build it" model as opposed to a "fix it" model. Traditionally sport psychology has been viewed as a "fix it" model. The athlete or coach comes seeking guidance only when there is a problem. Brian's philosophy is that everyone can benefit from mental strength training regardless of ability or level of competition.
Brian has worked with athletes and coaches in a variety of sports from youth level to the Olympic level. Brian is working with USATF Sport Psychology service delivery team providing coach and athlete education as well as continuing research to support USATF and their mission. He also has experience working in fitness and wellness settings with his personal training clients utilizing mental strength training to improve their performance and quality of life. Brian has a strong
pedigree in applied sport psychology as his mentors and their mentors were some of the leaders in the field for many years. His applied sport psychology education came from
Dr. Ralph Vernacchia and
Dr. Rick Mcguire. Dr. Vernacchia was educated by Dr. Keith Henschen and Dr. Mcguire was a pupil of Dr. Bob Rotella.
Other mental strength coaches who work with coaches and athletes in sport psychology are comprised of graduate students studying in applied sport psychology under the supervision of Dr. Zuleger.
MENTAL TRAINING LAB
The Mental Training Lab is a gym for the mind where student-athletes can put in quality reps to improve mental strength. The Mental Training Lab includes:
● Biofeedback stations that use HeartMath’s EmWave technology for student-athletes to train focus, self-awareness, thought recognition, and deliberate breathing. This technology allows student-athlete to observe the direct effects of their breathing and thoughts on heart rate variability – a key indicator of whether a person is in a state of stress, frustration, and negative emotion or in the zone with a high coherence and calm present focus. The biofeedback stations can also aid in relaxation, regeneration and recovery from the stresses of training, academics and life.
● Mental Skills Training Assessments
● Mental Skills Training Programing for Coaches, athletes and teams
If our offered hours do not fit your schedule, get in touch! We will do our best to help you!
Email: chpce@adams.edu
brianzuleger@adams.edu
SKILLS AND TOPICS
● Motivation
○ Meaning and Purpose
○ Commitment/Mastery
● Well-being
○ Positive Psychology Interventions
○ Confidence
○ Happiness, Focus on Strengths, Identify values
○ Keeping fun in mind
● Focus
○ Mindfulness- being present
○ Effective Self-talk
○ Concentration
○ Process-orientation
● Quality Practice
○ Deliberate practice
○ Decision-Making
○ Skill acquisition
○ Getting comfortable being uncomfortable
○ Mental recovery
○ Goal-attainment strategies
● Resiliency
○ Composure
○ Handling adversity
○ Emotional Intelligence
RESOURCES
Social Media
● Twitter:
@AdamsStateCHPCE
● Facebook:
Center for Human Performance and Coach Education
Online Resources
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Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) – AASP promotes the ethical practice, science, and advocacy of sport psychology. They also provide some free resources for athletes, coaches, and those interested in careers in sport psychology or finding a certified consultant near you.
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Positive Psychology – Understand and build the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive.
Counseling & Mental Health Support
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ASU Counseling Services – ASU Counseling Services provide short-term, focused counseling for all ASU students. Please follow the link of call 719-587-7746 to make an appointment.
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Support for Sport – For student-athletes to help identify when teammates and friends are struggling with mental health issues and how to make the necessary referrals.
● Suicide Prevention Hotline - If you or a friend has a mental health emergency, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Campus Resources
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San Luis Valley Health: 719-589-2511
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Counseling Services: (719) 587-7746
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International Student Resources
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Cultural Awareness and Student Achievement (CASA) Center
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College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP): (719) 587-8331
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Diversity Resources at ASU
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Student Access & Disability Support Services: 719-587-7746
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Office of Student Services: 719-587-7221
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Academic Support: (719) 587-7632
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Career Services: (719) 587-8366
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Student Crisis Services (in addition to calling 911): (719) 587-7746
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Police: (719) 587-7901(ASU Police) | (719) 589-2548 (Alamosa PD)
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Campus Safety & Emergency Management
