Rate My Professor Sarah Carson

Sarah Carson Sackett is a Professor of Kinesiology at James Madison University, serving as Associate Director of the Morrison Bruce Center and Affiliate Faculty in the Challace J. McMillin Center for Sport Psychology. She also acts as Mental Conditioning Coach for JMU Athletics. Her academic background includes a B.A. in Psychology from Hartwick College, an M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science with a concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with concentrations in Sport and Exercise Psychology and Human Growth and Motor Development from Michigan State University.

Sackett's research focuses on positive youth development through sport, coaching strategies for life skills development in youth athletes, and gender issues in physical activity and health. She teaches courses including KIN 303: Motor Development and Learning, KIN 305: Psychological Aspects of Kinesiology, and KIN 426: Physical Activity Behaviors. Key publications include "Participation in a Weekly Physical Activity Book Club Intervention" (2021), "Psychosocial Variables Related to Why Women are Less Active than Men and Related Health Implications" (2016), "Self-Competence, Activity, Motor Competence, and Physical Fitness (SCAMP)" (2019), "Physical Activity Programming for Today’s Schools" (2018), "Understanding effective coaching: Antecedents and consequences" (2016), and "Success through Combining the Motivational and Caring Climates" (2019). She has received the College of Health and Behavioral Studies Distinguished Teacher Award (2021-2022), Research Grant as Lead Faculty (2024), and Collaborative Grant (2022). Sackett provides sport psychology consulting to athletes and teams and delivers leadership clinics for coaches through organizations like the Michigan High School Athletic Association and STRIVE, contributing to advancements in coaching efficacy and youth sport development.