SYP Advisory Team
Our Advisory Board Members are all experts in their fields, and committed to the mission and aims of Strong Youth Project. Get to know them by reading their bios and watching their introduction videos below!
Matthew Seeley, PhD, ATC, SYP Co-director, Biomechanics
Matthew Seeley earned BS and MS degrees in Exercise Sciences from Utah State University. He earned a PhD in Exercise Sciences, with an emphasis in biomechanics, from the University of Kentucky. He has taught courses and conducted research in the BYU Exercise Sciences Department since 2006. His research has primarily focused upon factors that affect knee cartilage health, including lower-extremity movement biomechanics and knee joint biochemistry. Dr. Seeley is also passionate about improving youth sport experiences, for all participants; Dr. Seeley believes that a positive sport experience for youth can contribute to joint health and overall wellness for youth, and a stronger society overall. Get to know Dr. Seeley in an introductory video here!
Justin Yee, BS, SYP Co-director, Youth Sports Coaching
Justin Yee earned a BS degree in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University. He served as a Police Officer for eight years. During his time in law enforcement he also coached high school and youth soccer teams. It was during this time that he became passionate about using sport and physical training to help youth develop positive character traits that could help them overcome life’s obstacles. Justin owned and operated a CrossFit gym for over ten years and started a youth non-profit that provided physical training to underserved youth. Justin believes that participation in youth sports needs to focus on character development and is committed to providing resources for athletes, coaches, and parents. Get to know Justin Yee in an introductory video here!
Zack Beddoes, PhD Physical Education
Zack Beddoes received his BS and MA degrees from Brigham Young University and his PhD at the University of Texas at Austin. His research has primarily focused on supporting structures and team dynamics that facilitate collaboration, collective action, and bridgebuilding within physical education and sport contexts. Dr. Beddoes has extensive experience working with youth in a variety of coaching settings including football, basketball, baseball, and golf. He prepares physical education and coaching majors to guide young people in the process of living healthful, active, and fulfilling lifestyles. Dr. Beddoes believes in the potential of youth sports to better the lives of the rising generation when conducted in developmentally appropriate ways.
Anthony Beutler, MD Sports Medicine
Dr. Beutler is an acclaimed international educator and researcher in sports medicine and musculoskeletal injury prevention. As a member of the JUMP-ACL Partnership and of the CHAMP Consortium, his study teams have received multiple national grants and awards for their ground-breaking work in injury prevention and injury prediction. Dr. Beutler has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, edited a sports medicine textbook, and successfully evoked deep slumber and copious drool from unsuspecting lecture attendees around the world. Dr. Beutler spends a lot of his free time thinking up exciting new things for the 25 Intermountain Healthcare sports medicine docs to do. If they won’t, then he makes his fellows do them instead. When not otherwise engaged in tyranny, Dr. Beutler enjoys basketball, bike-riding, waterskiing, and writing IRB proposals while jabbing sharp sticks into his eyes in his spare time.
William Christensen, PhD Statistics
Dr. William F. Christensen is Professor of Statistics at Brigham Young University. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Statistics from BYU and his Ph.D. in Statistics from Iowa State University. His research interests include multivariate analysis, spatial and environmental statistics, and statistics applications in health, nutrition, and medicine. He is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association and is a past recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Medal from the ASA’s Section on Statistics and the Environment and BYU’s University Professorship and Karl G. Maeser Excellence in Teaching Award. He is passionate about the proper use of research design and statistical analysis in order to identify tools for improving health and wellness.
Sarah Coyne, PhD Developmental Psychology
Dr. Sarah M. Coyne is a professor of human development in the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University. She received her BSc degree in Psychology from Utah State University, and her PhD in Psychology from the University of Central Lancashire in Preston, England. Her research interests involve media, aggression, gender, mental health, and child development. Dr. Coyne has over 200 publications on these and other topics. She regularly speaks to families and teenagers about using media in positive ways. She has five children and lives in Utah.
Brian Halley, BS, Branding Expert, Right Think Founder
Brian Halley is the founder of Right Think, a company dedicated to helping small businesses access the secrets of branding that have traditionally been only available to big brands with big marketing budgets. In order for small businesses to gain ground and grow in today’s overcrowded marketplace, it is imperative that business owners receive a sound branding education and apply branding principles to their businesses. With 20 years of design experience, working with brands like Reebok, Nordic Track, Harry Potter, Jelly Belly and the NBA, and building his own brand from scratch, Brian brings extraordinary value to small businesses by helping them understand that a brand is much more than a logo, and how creating a brand strategy based on his 4 Pillars of Branding, will advance a brand visually, drive effective, targeted marketing plans and guide important business decisions throughout the life of a brand.
Chad Hancock, PhD Exercise Physiology & Nutrition
Chad Hancock earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education-Exercise Physiology from Brigham Young University. He then went on to earn a PhD in Physiology with a focus on muscle physiology and energy metabolism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Following this, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis. Since 2008, Dr. Hancock has taught courses on general nutrition and sports nutrition in the Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Department at BYU. His research has generally focused on how changes in energy demands and energy supply impact muscle metabolism, function, and overall health. Dr. Hancock firmly believes that maintaining a physically active lifestyle is critical to achieving and maintaining good health and wellbeing. Get to know Dr. Hancock in an introductory video here!
Carrie Jaworski, MD
Dr. Carrie Jaworski is a board-certified Family & Sports Medicine physician at Intermountain Health Park City where she serves as the Associate Director of Sports Performance and the Medical Director for the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation. She previously served as the founding Director of the Division of Primary Care Sports Medicine and the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship Director within the Department of Family Medicine at North Shore University Health System & the Department of Family Medicine at NorthShore University Health System & the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Prior to that, she served as the Head Team Physician for Northwestern University Athletics where she was their Director of Intercollegiate Sports Medicine. Dr. Jaworski has had the honor of being a physician at the Salt Lake Olympics in 2002, the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, and she will represent Team USA again in Paris as a lead physician for the Paralympic Games. She was recently elected as President-elect of the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Jaworski enjoys caring for athletes of all ages and abilities. Her clinical and research interests include endurance medicine, mass participation events, concussions, the pediatric and female athlete population, nutrition/supplements, dance medicine and the promotion of "Exercise is Medicine". In her spare time, Dr. Jaworski enjoys all things outdoors; particularly running, hiking, biking, tennis, and Nordic skiing.
Michael Larson, PhD Sports Psychology
Michael J. Larson, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology and the Neuroscience Center at Brigham Young University. He earned his MS and PhD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Neuropsychology from the University of Florida. He runs a clinical service focusing on diagnosis and treatment of concussion and other neuropsychological disorders. He also works as a sports psychologist, consulting with the BYU Basketball Team as a member of their performance enhancement staff. Dr. Larson has published over 130 peer-reviewed manuscripts and is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Psychophysiology. Dr. Larson also coaches many of his children’s sports teams. He believes in the importance of positive youth sports experiences and the impact of youth sports experiences on psychological health and relationships. Get to know Dr. Larson in an introductory video here!
Ulrike Mitchell, PhD, PT Physical Therapy
Ulrike Mitchell earned a BS and MS degrees in Physical Therapy in Germany and at the University of St. Augustine, FL and a PhD in Exercise Sciences at Brigham Young University. She has been teaching advanced musculoskeletal anatomy and orthopedic impairment at BYU since 2008 and conducting research in the field of rehabilitation. She is passionate about anything related to health and believes that exercise is medicine. Watch a personal introduction of Dr. Mitchell here!
Jenae Nelson, PhD Developmental Psychology
Jenae Nelson earned her bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in psychology from BYU, specializing in developmental psychology. She completed postdoctoral research at Baylor University, focusing on character development during adolescence and young adulthood, and at Harvard Medical School, where she studied the neuroscience of spirituality. Dr. Nelson is an assistant professor in the Psychology Department at BYU and a remote data scientist at Harvard Medical School and MIT Sloan School of Management, where she works on evaluating and implementing interventions that foster moral and prosocial development.
Her research has examined character in college athletes, particularly how religiosity influences virtues like courage, purpose, and gratitude in predicting well-being. She has also studied the impact of coaches on character and moral development in college athletes. Dr. Nelson leads initiatives with coaches, parents, and athletes to integrate character and faith in youth sports through mentorship and education.
Her research has examined character in college athletes, particularly how religiosity influences virtues like courage, purpose, and gratitude in predicting well-being. She has also studied the impact of coaches on character and moral development in college athletes. Dr. Nelson leads initiatives with coaches, parents, and athletes to integrate character and faith in youth sports through mentorship and education.
Brett Pexa, PhD, ATC, Athletic Training
Brett Pexa is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Athletic Training in the Congdon School of Health Sciences. Brett received his undergraduate degree from Minnesota State University –Mankato and his Master’s from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Brett completed his PhD in Human Movement Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Brett is a certified athletic trainer (ATC), licensed athletic trainer in the state of North Carolina, and a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.
Brett performs research out of the Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory, where he researches athlete health, wellness, and training loads. Brett’s research aims at understanding how sport participation influences athlete’s injury risk, mental health, and performance outcomes. His research goal is to create a comprehensive athlete management system that limits injury risk, enhances subjective well-being, and improves sport performance. Brett works with the HPU athletics teams to develop, implement, and refine these athlete management solutions to have an immediate impact on HPU Athletes. Brett works with graduate and undergraduate students to help foster an understanding and appreciation of research through sports science research.
Brett performs research out of the Human Biomechanics and Physiology Laboratory, where he researches athlete health, wellness, and training loads. Brett’s research aims at understanding how sport participation influences athlete’s injury risk, mental health, and performance outcomes. His research goal is to create a comprehensive athlete management system that limits injury risk, enhances subjective well-being, and improves sport performance. Brett works with the HPU athletics teams to develop, implement, and refine these athlete management solutions to have an immediate impact on HPU Athletes. Brett works with graduate and undergraduate students to help foster an understanding and appreciation of research through sports science research.
Jake Sorensen, PhD, CSCS Exercise Physiology & Strength and Conditioning
Jake Sorensen earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Brigham Young University and a Master's degree in Coaching Performance from the University of Utah. He then pursued a PhD in Muscle Physiology at BYU, where his research focused on skeletal muscle injuries, aging, and rehabilitation. Following his doctoral studies, Jake completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota's School of Medicine, where he specialized in skeletal and cardiac muscle injury and rehabilitation research. Currently, Dr. Sorensen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Exercise Sciences at BYU, where he teaches courses in Exercise Physiology and Personal Training Strategies. His research is focused on developing treatments for severe musculoskeletal injuries. In addition to his academic role, he is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Dr. Sorensen's practical experience includes serving as a strength and conditioning coach for high school, college, and professional athletes. He also served as the head coach of a high school rugby team, where he developed a deep passion for mentoring young athletes and fostering their growth both on and off the field.
John B. White, PhD Theological Ethics
John White is the Harold and Dottie Riley Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Ethics at Baylor University. He is also the Director of the Sports Chaplaincy/Ministry Program at Baylor’s Truett Seminary. He holds a Ph.D. in theological ethics from The University of Edinburgh, and he also completed an M.Div. and an M.A. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with a B.S. from Indiana University. He has numerous academic publications, including articles in Practical Theology; Sport, Ethics, and Philosophy; Oxford University Press, and Studies in Christian Ethics, as well as four books for which he has served as editor and contributor and two forthcoming books for which he is the sole author. He co-founded the Lilly-endowed Faith and Sports Institute, and as a PI, he has successfully been awarded over $1 million in grants and over $2.5 million in fund development. He has also spoken or written about the topic of sports and Christianity for general audiences at such publications as Sports Illustrated, Sports Spectrum, Christianity Today, Wall Street Journal, Houston Chronicle, Christian Ethics, and USA Today. He is married to Cindy and they have three adult children who love sports and life.
Peter Williamson, BS, SPT Exercise Science & Physical Therapy
Peter Williamson earned a BS in Exercise Sciences from Brigham Young University. He is studying for his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at the University of Utah. Peter has been involved in sports for most of his life, initially as a player through high school, into college on the BYU Men’s Lacrosse team in the MCLA National Championship, and he has continued to play lacrosse at the semi-professional level. He began coaching youth lacrosse athletes beginning in 2019. He has coached individuals, school teams, and club teams, and intends to continue coaching in the future. He believes sports can be an
amazing way to teach young people life-long lessons.
amazing way to teach young people life-long lessons.
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Advisory Board
Matthew Seeley, PhD, ATC Co-director, Biomechanics; Introduction Video
Justin Yee, BS Co-director, Youth Sports Coaching; Introduction Video
Zack Beddoes, PhD Physical Education
Anthony Beutler, MD Sports Medicine
William Christensen, PhD Statistics
Sarah Coyne, PhD Developmental Psychology
Brian Halley, BS, Branding Expert, Right Think founder
Chad Hancock, PhD Exercise Physiology & Nutrition; Introduction Video
Carrie Jaworski, MD
Devin Knighton, PhD Communications
Michael Larson, PhD Sports Psychology; Introduction Video
Ulrike Mitchell, PhD, PT Physical Therapy; Introduction Video
Jenae Nelson, PhD Developmental Psychology
Brett Pexa, PhD, ATC, Athletic Training
Jake Sorensen, PhD, CSCS Exercise Physiology, and Strength & Conditioning
John B. White, PhD Theological Ethics
Peter Williamson, BS, SPT Exercise Science & Physical Therapy