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About us

Our Team

Scott N. Brooks, PhD

Director

Dr. Scott N. Brooks is Director of the Global Sport Institute and oversees all of its activities. Dr. Brooks is also an Associate Professor with the T. Denny Sanford School of Social & Family Dynamics at the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at ASU. Previously, as Director of Research for the Institute he acted as campus liaison, assisted in the allocation of research grants, and coordinated the Institute's research agenda and projects. He also served two years as interim School Director for the Sanford School. Prior to arriving at ASU, Dr. Brooks served as Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs at the Graduate School of Education at the University of California-Riverside, and was an associate professor at UCR and the University of Missouri.

Jeff Kunowski

Associate Director, Sports Innovation and Business Development

Jeff Kunowski is the Associate Director of Sports Innovation and Business Development for the Global Sport Institute. Jeff oversees the Global Sport Institute’s sport-related development and funding programs including the Global Sport Venture Development Program and the Global Sport Social Impact Challenge. He serves this role in a dual appointment with Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute.

Casey Sechler, PhD

Associate Director, Research

Casey Sechler is the Associate Director, Research for the Global Sport Institute where she advances the Institute’s research initiatives. This involves providing key support to the Director of Research to develop, execute, and manage strategic plans for research projects and assists in the allocation of internal and external research grants. As a scholar, Sechler conducts and applies research that promotes positive development (with particular emphasis on youth); social and emotional learning; and advances diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Kendall Jones

Manager, Strategic Initiative

Kendall Jones is the Strategic Initiative Manager for the Global Sport Institute. Prior to her position with the Global Sport Institute, she served six years as the Community Outreach Manager at Local First Arizona, an organization building a strong local economy and celebrating vibrant, inclusive communities across the state. 

Ra Lofton

Project Coordinator

Ra has their Masters in International Cooperation and Development from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Their focus is in Sport for Development. Prior to moving to Italy for their Masters, they graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies.

Brendon Kleen

Senior Coordinator, Digital Content

Brendon Kleen is the Senior Coordinator of Digital Content for the Global Sport Institute. Prior to joining the Global Sport Institute team, Brendon worked as a freelance sports reporter specializing in men’s and women’s basketball at outlets like Forbes, Front Office Sports and Ozy.

William C. Rhoden

Visiting Senior Practitioner

William C. Rhoden works directly with Kenneth L. Shropshire, CEO of the Global Sport Institute, to provide feedback on the institute’s strategic direction and develop concepts for the Global Sport Matters content hub. He is the institute’s first visiting senior practitioner.

Aidan Corrales

Marketing and Communications Assistant

Aidan is a Marketing and Communications Assistant at Global Sport Institute. He is an Arizona native and is in his third year pursuing a degree in Sports Business with expected graduation in the Fall of 2022. 

Robert W. Turner II, PhD

Global Sport Visiting Scholar

As a visiting fellow, Robert W. Turner II helps leadership identify potential topics of research, conducts research with the Global Sport Lab, and contributes to Global Sport Matters and Institute events.

Luke Padwe

Digital Communications Assistant

Luke is a Digital Communications Assistant at the Global Sport Institute. He is an Arizona native and is in his second year pursuing a degree in Graphic Design with expected graduation in the Spring of 2024.