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Crystal Southall

Crystal Southall

Professor, Exercise & Sport Science, Sport & Fitness Management
Paul Wright Gym 225

Education

Ph.D., University of Northern Colorado, Sport Administration, 2012
M.S., University of Memphis, Sport & Leisure Commerce, 2006
B.A., University of Colorado Boulder, History, 2000

Biography

How did you discover Western?

My father graduated from Western, I was born in Gunnison and I grew up on the Western Slope, so you could say that I have been connected to Western my entire life.

What are some of the highlights of your career?

During my time at Western I have had the opportunity to work and collaborate with amazing colleagues in Exercise & Sport Science. As a result, I feel that I have grown tremendously as an educator. Additionally, teaching at Western has provided me the opportunity to create and develop real relationships with current and former students.

In addition, I have also had the invaluable opportunity to collaborate with sport management colleagues from universities across the U.S. on a number of research projects. As such, I have been able to investigate numerous socio-cultural issues within sport, including: media coverage of women’s sports and the construction, dissemination, and maintenance of cultural values; programmatic and non-programmatic messages within big-time college sport broadcasts and dominant institutional logics; Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs) and dual role conflict.

What most excites you about your field?

Sport management is the field of study that prepares future professionals to work in a myriad of positions throughout the sport industry. An industry that is customer-focused, multifaceted, dynamic and innovative; characteristics that are reflected in the field of sport management. In my opinion, this is what makes sport management so exciting as an area of academic and professional inquiry; similarly what makes working within the sport industry such an exciting, challenging and rewarding career path.

What is your favorite thing about the Gunnison Valley?

The Gunnison Valley is a beautiful place to live and work. In the summer there are an unlimited number of trails that allow you to explore the area and enjoy the wonders that living in Colorado offers.

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