Featured Post from University of Delaware

Gold medal-worthy experts for Olympic Summer Games coverage

Topics include health, injuries, business and science

Jul 23, 2024

2 min

The University of Delaware boasts several experts who can comment on health-related topics such as injuries and training and business-focused areas like marketing and team behavior as they relate to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Matt Robinson

Professor, sport management

Relevant expertise: Will be in Paris and can discuss the Olympics from an onsite perspective; can give the backstory on The International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program (ICECP) and what’s new in the Paris Olympics.

Link to profile and contact

Tom Kaminski

Professor, kinesiology and applied physiology

Relevant expertise: Can comment on the impact of heading in Olympic soccer and has studied the risks of concussions in sports for nearly three decades.

Link to profile and contact

Karin Silbernagel

Professor, physical therapy

Relevant expertise: Research aims to advance the understanding of tendon and ligament injuries and repair. Can also discuss sailing.

Link to profile and contact

Tim DeSchriver

Associate professor, sport management

Relevant expertise: Sport finance, economics and marketing

Link to profile and contact

Other experts:

INJURIES:

Tom Buckley

Associate professor, kinesiology and applied physiology

Relevant expertise: Head impacts from boxing.

Stephanie Cone

Assistant professor, biomedical engineering

Relevant expertise: Studies the structure-function relationship that exists in tendons and ligaments with a special interest in changes in this relationship during growth and following injury.

Mike Eckrich

Clinical instructor, physical therapy

Relevant expertise: Weightlifting; can talk about the difference between men’s and women’s injuries and form in the sport.

Donald Ford

Physical therapy

Relevant expertise: Shoulder injuries/rehab expert

Jeffrey Schneider

Senior instructor, kinesiology and applied physiology

Relevant expertise: Athletic training and injury prevention, with a particular interest in ice skating injuries.

Worked with athletes competing in Winter Olympics (2002, 2006) as a strength and conditioning coach and athletic trainer.

EVENTS:

Jocelyn Hafer

Assistant professor, kinesiology and applied physiology

Relevant expertise: Race Walk events and how biomarkers are used in walking studies.

Airelle Giordano

Associate professor, physical therapy

Relevant expertise: Gymnastics; she was a collegiate gymnast

Kiersten McCartney

Doctoral student

Relevant expertise: Can chat about Paralympic Triathlon (running, hand cycling, swimming).

Steve Goodwin

Associate professor, health behavior and nutrition sciences

Relevant expertise: He is also in Paris leading a study abroad cohort. He has been to multiple Olympics, and can also speak to on-site experience, differences in games, etc.

George Edelman

Adjunct professor, physical therapy

Relevant expertise: How the "underwaters” technique gives Olympians an edge.

BUSINESS:

John Allgood II

Instructor, sport management

Relevant expertise: Sport business management, event management

SCIENCE:

Joshua Cashaback

Assistant professor, biomedical engineering

Relevant expertise: Specializes in neuromechanics and control of human movement. His research falls under two major themes: The neuroplasticity and adaptation research line tests how reinforcement feedback can subserve our ability to acquire new motor skills.

Connect with:

Matthew Robinson

Professor, Sport Management

Prof. Robinson is an expert on international sport development.

CoachingSports as a Diplomatic ToolInternational Sports GovernanceU.S. Sports ModelOlympics

Tom Kaminski

Professor, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology

Prof. Kaminski is a leading expert on issues related to purposeful headers in interscholastic and intercollegiate soccer.

Chronic Ankle InstabilityRepetitive Head ImpactsRecovery Assessment

Tim DeSchriver

Associate Professor of Sport Management; Area Head - Sport Management

Prof. DeSchriver’s research is in sport finance, economics and marketing; specifically professional sport and collegiate athletics.

Sport ManagementSports FinanceProfessional SportCollegiate Athletics

Karin Gravare Silbernagel

Professor, Physical Therapy

Prof. Silbernagel's research aims to advance the understanding of tendon and ligament injuries and repair.

Achilles TendinopathyPatellar TendinopathyAchilles Tendon RuptureTendon RuptureKnee Injuries

Find Experts

Jun 9, 2026

1 min

The Business of Youth Soccer and Youth Sports Participation

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less starting this week, the University of Delaware's John Allgood is available to discuss the business of soccer, youth sports participation and the tournament's impact on communities and the economy. A former United Soccer League top executive and instructor of sport management, Allgood has firsthand experience in both the business and development sides of the sport. Through his experience as a USL franchise owner, Allgood can discuss the World Cup’s economic impact and why the sport is a unifying force. He can discuss how the World Cup will boost participation and fan interest in soccer, especially among youth players. Allgood can address the tiered structure of soccer in the U.S., including the pay-to-play system in youth soccer that is different from development models in other countries. To arrange an interview with Allgood, send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.

Jun 9, 2026

1 min

World Cup 2026: Former soccer executive analyzes tournament economics and youth soccer structure

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup days away, the University of Delaware's John Allgood is available to discuss the business of soccer, youth sports participation and the tournament's impact on communities and the economy. As a former United Soccer League (USL) top executive, Allgood brings firsthand experience and knowledge of the commercial operations and development sides of the sport. He also currently serves as an instructor of sport management at UD. Areas of expertise relevant to the World Cup include: • Economic impact: How the tournament will drive local revenue. • The business of soccer: Sports marketing and the commercialization of global sports entertainment. • U.S. youth soccer: The tiered structure of soccer in the U.S., including the pay-to-play system in youth soccer that is different from development models in other countries. • Participation and interest: How the World Cup will boost participation and fan interest in soccer, especially among youth players. • Soccer as a unifying force: The sports' social impact and how it brings people together. To reach Allgood directly and arrange an interview, click the "contact" button on his profile. Interested journalists can also send an email to mediarelations@udel.edu.

Jun 8, 2026

1 min

World Cup: Hall of Fame heading expert can talk about concussions

With a focus on concussion research, the University of Delaware's Thomas Kaminski serves as the sole U.S. representative on the FIFA Heading Expert Group, putting UD on the world soccer stage. Kaminski's contributions to the sport earned him a place in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame. Kaminski, professor of kinesiology and applied physiology at UD's College of Health Sciences, has studied heading in soccer and concussion risk for nearly three decades. It's just one of the many topics he can discuss in relation to the upcoming World Cup: • Concussion risks, prevention strategies and sports-related mild traumatic brain injuries. • Ankle instability and how evolving safety standards are influencing the modern game. • Purposeful headers in interscholastic and intercollegiate soccer. Kaminski will be inducted into the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Hall of Fame at the 77th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo on June 30, 2026, in Philadelphia. The award represents the profession’s highest honor and honors members who have dedicated their lives to service and left a lasting impact on the profession. “I’m honored and humbled to join such a distinguished group of athletic training pioneers – people who have shaped and pushed the profession forward to where it is today,” Kaminski said. To reach Kaminski directly and arrange an interview, visit his ExpertFile profile and click on the "connect" button. Interested members of the media can also email mediarelations@udel.edu.