State of Sport Colorado

The State of Sport Colorado (SOSCO) Research Lab at the University of Denver is advancing meaningful improvement to sports directly benefiting diverse participants and stakeholders. We understand how and why sports are organized as they are, present sport-based opportunities for meaningful multi-level impact, and specialize in designing solutions to meet the needs of Coloradans organized sporting communities. We expect to contribute to the conversation about sports and the public good through research, application, and collaborations that function to understand and improve coaching experiences throughout the front range. Housed in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology’s Kinesiology & Sports Studies (KINE) program, we are supported by a dynamic team of faculty, fellows, students, and community partners all working to design a sustainable model for grassroots social impact by harnessing the power of sport.

"SOSCO is the bedrock of our next great thing. From here, we collaborate with the community to capture the most immediate needs and work to address them with our DU community and industry experts."

Mission and Vision

Our mission is to become a sustainable model for grassroots social impact by harnessing the power of sport.

The University of Denver’s Kinesiology & Sports Studies (KINE) Program expects to be Colorado’s higher education center for sports and public good by improving coaching experiences across the state.

Our Team

Research Faculty

Brian Gearity

Professor & Dir MA Coach Sports Education; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, GSPP

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Beau Houston

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

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Lizbeth Diaz

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Student Legacy

Project Based Internship

University of Denver undergraduate students benefit from the paid State of Sport Colorado 10-week project-based internship (PBI). Short-term, professional projects offer students valuable introductory career-related professional experiences, opportunities to demonstrate skills, support in career exploration, as well as meaningful opportunities to build their professional network. Students completing the PBI work no more than 10 hours per week using a hybrid model where they benefit from independent work time and guided mentorship on a regular basis to meet project goals. This internship is designed especially for first- and second-year students interested in a career in sport governance, public policy, or sport management.

Students work closely with the DU KINE Post-Doctoral Fellow to collect necessary data, manage partnerships metrics, and coordinate with internal/external stakeholders. The intern(s) are responsible for supporting sports policy and governance research, including federal and state policies, drafting communications, assisting with data analysis, creating data visualizations, and supporting the successful implementation of SOSCO initiatives.

Students are evaluated quarterly pursuant to project milestones and completion, including identifying strengths and limitations of their knowledge, skills, and attitude. Additionally, interns will receive guidance towards their next professional opportunity.