BOONE, N.C. –
Dr. Jacob Cooper has been promoted to Assistant Athletics Director for Sport Psychology and Mental Wellness, Director of Athletics
Doug Gillin announced Thursday.
Hired three years ago as the first full-time, embedded sports psychologist at App State, Dr. Cooper has worked diligently with Mountaineers' student-athletes, coaches and support staff to promote positive mental health and maximize athletic performance.
"As we continue to identify areas of need, the mental health and well-being of our student-athletes remains a top priority," said Dr. Jon Mitchell, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Health and Well-Being. "Dr. Cooper has had a profound impact on many of our student-athletes and has been integral to their success both on and off the field."
Prior to arriving at App State, Dr. Cooper spent five years providing therapy, psychological assessment and consultation within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Federal Bureau of Prisons system (BOP) and multiple university counseling centers. Additionally, while completing his Ph.D. he worked with the Boston University (BU) Sport Medicine Department as a sport and performance consultant for their student-athletes and teams along with professional athletes in the Boston area.
"It's a tremendous blessing for me and my family to receive this opportunity," said Dr. Cooper. "I'm incredibly thankful to
Doug Gillin and Dr. Jon Mitchell as well as Dr. Chris Hogan for their continued personal support and sincerity in supporting the mental wellness of our student-athletes."
Dr. Cooper earned his Ph.D. in counseling psychology with a specialization in sport and performance psychology from BU along with a dual masters in clinical psychology (M.A.) and sport psychology (M.S.) from Ball State University in 2014. He earned his B.A. in psychology in 2011 from Taylor University in Upland, Ind., where he was a scholarship athlete and four-year starter on the football team.
