Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport: Full-time Staff & Director

PhD: University of Louisville

M.A.: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

B.S.: Appalachian State University

RSA 513: Recreation and Sport Administration

RSA 515: Recreation/Sport Facility Development

RSA 517: Legal Issues in Recreation/Sport

RSA 521: Public Relations in Recreation/Sport

RSA 523: Theory of Recreation and Sport

RSA 542: Investigation of Current Issues

RSA 543: Sport Medicine Administration

RSA 546: Leadership and Ethics Sports Health

SPM 200: Introduction to Sport Management

SPM 310: Sport Ethics and Morality

SPM 450: Sport Law

SPM 452: Sport Leadership and Management

SPM 454: Sport Governance

SPM 490: Internship in Sport

Book:

Upright, P.A. & Czech, D.R. (2021). Sociology in Kinesiology. In Garver, M.J. & Stone, W.J. (Eds.),

Practical Content for Beginning Kinesiologists (2nd ed., pp. 116-141).

Publications:

Upright, P.A, Forsythe, S.A., & Stone, W. (2026) The impact of travel stress on physical and cognitive

performance in college age students, The Sport Journal, (under review).

Schafer, Mark A.; Upright, Paula; Michalik, Jana*; and Crandall, K. Jason (2023) "Impact of 10-Week

Evidence–Based Falls Prevention Program on Outcomes Related to Falls Risk in Community-Dwelling

Older Adults," International Journal of Exercise Science: Vol. 16: Iss. 7, Pages 1131 - 1141.

Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijes/vol16/iss7/5

Upright, P.A. & Forsythe, S.A. (2021). A review of qualitative research in sport management: Utilizing

a descriptive case study design. KySHAPE Journal, (58)2, 64-70.

Forsythe, S. A., Upright, P. A., Mergenthal, R.*, & Sullivan, D. J. (2021). Utilizing a personality

assessment and programming in Division I football: An exploratory study. Journal of Student-Athlete

Educational Development and Success, 3, 61-87.

Presentations:

International:

Upright, P., Forsythe, S., & Stinnet, B. (Sept 2026). Evaluating Sustainability Practices in the World

Marathon Majors: A Comparative Analysis, 34th European Sport Management Conference, Thessaloniki,

Greece.

Upright, P., Henson, A. (2018). Implementing Internationalization in Sport Management Programs: A

case study of “The International Year of Cuba” at Western Kentucky University. 26th EASM European

Sport Management Conference, Malmö, Sweden.

Henson, A. & Upright, P. & Easton, S. (2018). A Qualitative Examination Of Scottish And American

Youth Golfers: Why Are They Leaving The Sport? 26th EASM European Sport Management

Conference, Malmö, Sweden.

National:

Crandall, K.J., Schafer, M.A.; Upright, P; Michalik, J. (2024) "Impact of 10-Week Evidence–Based Falls

Prevention Program on Outcomes Related to Falls Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. National

Council on Aging Age + Action Conference, Washington D. C.

Forsythe, S.A., Upright, P.A., Baker, K.M., and Tolusso, D.V. (2020). Player Development: The

Efficacy of the Birkman Method Personality Assessment and Programming. Professional Association of

Athlete Development Specialists Summit, New York, New York. (Cancelled due to Covid)

Warren, J., Seng, A., Upright, P., & Melancon, J. (2018). Motivations to spectate as drivers of social

media engagement, Sports Marketing and Sponsorship Conference, San Diego, CA

Hall, Aaron T.; Morris, Cody E.; Forsythe, Stacey; Jordan, Tricia; Schafer, Mark A.; Wiczynki, Teresa

L.; Upright, Paula. (2018). Evaluation of the health and physical fitness and factors influencing retention

of scholastic sports officials in the sport of American football. American College of Sports Medicine,

Minneapolis, MN.

University Service:

WKU Faculty Mentor Committee (2026-)

Co-Chair, WKU Council of Chairs (2023-2026)

Chair, Search Committee, Applied Human Science Department Chair, (2023)

CHHS Global Education Committee (2022-2025)

Race Director, WKU Topper 10, (April 2025)

Provost’s Advisory Group, Annual Evaluations and Continuance (2023)

University Teaching Effectiveness and Portfolio Workgroup (2023)

Chair, KRS Strategic Planning Committee (2022-)

Co-Chair CHHS 1st Gen Committee (2021-2023)

1st Gen Advocate Network (2022-2023)

Assistant Director, School of Kinesiology, Recreation & Sport (KRS) (2018-2021)

Sport Management Program Coordinator (2012-2021)

KRS Faculty Guidebook Committee Chair (2019-2020)

Focus Group on Student Success, Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL) Consulting Firm, May (2019)