About

Megan Byrd joined the sport psychology team at John F. Kennedy University in 2016. Previously, she was at West Virginia University (WVU) where she obtained her Ph.D. in sport and exercise psychology. Additionally, Megan has a master’s in counseling from WVU, a master’s in sport behavior and performance from Miami University, and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eastern Kentucky University. Megan’s research focuses on the emotional impacts of sport concussion, and has received numerous grants for this work including grants from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Other research interests are perfectionism, anger, aggression, professional ethics, and the use of counseling skills in applied sport psychology.

In addition to research, Megan is active in applied work and has consulted with athletes from multiple sports, ranging from youth sports to professional athletes as well as businesses.

In her free time, Megan can be found watching baseball or basketball, running, practicing yoga, or watching bad reality television. Her bucket list is to watch a baseball game in all 30 professional baseball stadiums (11 down!).

As the Research Director, Megan oversees the written and oral exams, applied projects, and master’s theses.

Programs

  • Sport Psychology

Courses

Research Methods A & B

Counseling Skills B

Research Proposal

Applied Project A &B

Group Process

Selected Publications

Byrd, M., Dixon, E.C., & Lucke-Wold, B. (in press) Examining the correlation between actute behavioral manifestations of concussion and the underlying pathophysiology of chronic traumatic Encephalopathy. Trauma Monthly

Coker-Cranney, A., Wooding, C., & Byrd, M. (in press). How an interest in American football and criminal behavior led to refining quantitative research skills: A research journey. SAGE Research Methods Cases.

Bartlett, M., Abrams, M., Byrd, M. Treankler, A., & Houston-Norton, R. (in press). Advancing the assessment of anger in sports: Gender differences and STAXI-2 normative data for college athletes. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology.

Coaker-Cranney, A., Wooding, C., Byrd, M., & Lane, P. (2017). Saturday night’s alright for fighting: Analysis of criminal behavior during the SEC football season. Deviant Behavior, 38, 561- 574.

Byrd, M., & Menendez, N. Doing the work: Can you go from the classroom to the field? In Excelling in Early Applied Sport Psychology. Pope-Rhodius, A., Fitzpatrick, S., & Robinson, S. (Eds).

Bryant, L.*, Byrd, M.*., Etzel, E., & Watson, J. Recognizing, understanding, and resolving ethical issues in The Peer Guide to Applied Sport Psychology for Consultants in Training. Aoyagi, M., Pocwardowski, A., & Shapiro, J. (Eds). *Co-Authors listed in alphabetical order

Abildso, C.G., Schmid, O., Byrd, M.¸ Zizzi, S., Quartiroli. A., Fitzpartick, S.J. (2014). Predictors of weight loss maintenance following an insurance-sponsored weight management program. Journal of Obesity, 1-12.

Horn, T.S., Byrd, M.M., Martin, E., & Young, C. (2012). Perceived motivation climate and team cohesion in adolescent athletes. Sport Science Review, 21, 25-48

Bartlett, M., Abrams, M., Byrd, M. Anger in sport. The good, the bad, and the useful. Association for Applied Sport Psychology Newsletter, 29 (2), 14-15.

Coppola, A., Martin, E., Byrd, M.M., Bergman, C., & Erway, T. (2011) Mental skills training with a group of seventh-grade football players: The experiences of graduate student mental trainers and suggestions for future youth-sport programs. Performance Excellence Movement Newsletter. Association for Applied Sport Psychology: Madison, WI.