Steven Waller, PhD

Professor and Associate Department Head
Recreation and Sport Management
HPER 325
865-974-1279
swaller2@utk.edu

COURSES TAUGHT

RSM 430	Organization and Administration of Recreation Services
RSM 508	Research Methods
RSM 510	Sport and Recreation Finance
RSM 511	Personnel Management
RSM 514	Organizational Behavior in Sport Settings
RSM 515	Theoretical & Foundational Principles of Recreationt
RSM 556	Sport and Religion in Global Society

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Organizational behavior in public recreation and sport organizations (climate; culture; thriving; access and engagement, equity and inclusion ethos; institutional evil)
Structural barriers to career advancement for minorities and women in public recreation and intercollegiate sport organizations
Religious socialization as a constraint to recreation and sport participation
Professional issues in sports chaplaincy (professionalization, identity development, training, registration/certification)

EDUCATION

DMin	United Theological Seminary	Pastoral Care and Counseling
MDiv	Pittsburgh Theological Seminary	Pastoral Care and Counseling
PhD	Michigan State University	Parks & Recreation Administration
MPA	University of Michigan	Public Administration
MA	Central Michigan University	Recreation and Parks Administration
BS	Ferris State University	Recreation Administration & Rehabilitative Recreation

EXPERIENCE (Last 15 years)

The University of Tennessee, assistant professor, associate professor, professor
Co-Director, Sport and Religion Research Alliance, KRSS

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Jack Mezirow’s Theory of Transformative Learning informs pedagogy in my courses. This theory has evolved into a comprehensive and complex description of how adult learners construe, validate, and reformulate the meaning of their experience. Centrality of experience, critical reflection, and rational discourse are three common themes in Mezirow’s theory. In the final analysis, for meaningful transformative learning to occur, the professor and students must be co-partners in creating learning opportunities. Students are encouraged to develop a “world view” about their profession and chosen area of practice. Considering the varied learning styles of adult learners, students are challenged to think creatively and independently to address current and future issues confronting the recreation and sport industry.

CURRENT AWARDS/RECOGNITION

African American Hall of Fame Award, University of Tennessee (2024)
2022 Ernest T. Atwell Award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation Administration
Certificate of Completion, 2021 CEHHS Equity, Inclusion + Justice Summer Institute
2021 Distinguished Service Award, Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Studies
2017 Literary Award, Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Studies
Service Award – Board of Directors (2015), Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Studies
Faculty Senate Mentoring Award, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (2015)
Meritorious Service Award, Board of Directors, Christian Society for Kinesiology and Leisure Studies (2015)
Meritorious Service Award, Knox County, Chairman, Knox County Parks and Recreation Board, 2013
Diplomate (Fellow), Sports Pastoral Counseling, International Sports Professionals Association, 2013
Madge M. Phillips Professional Service Award, KRSS, The University of Tennessee, 2013

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

An exploration of constraints to career mobility among African Americans in recreation and sport organizations
Institutional evil and its impact on the culture of recreation and sport organizations
An examination of the relationship between the religiosity and spirituality of black fathers who were former high-performing athletes and the religiosity and spirituality of their children engaged in college sports
Compassion fatigue and sports chaplains

CURRENT APPOINTMENTS

Member, Diversity and Engagement Faculty Advisory Board, UTK Division of Diversity and Engagement
Member, Office of Access and Engagement Faculty Advisory Board, CEHHS
Member, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Faculty Advisory Board, CEHHS
Chair, Mentoring Committee, College of Education, Health and Human Sciences
Board of Directors, Project GRAD Knoxville
Board Member, International Sports Chaplaincy Federation
Co-Editor, Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Studies
Co-Editor, Special Edition on Diversity in Aquatics, International Journal of Aquatics Research and Education
Editorial Board: Journal of Unconventional Parks, Tourism, and Recreation Research; Journal of Public Management and Social Policy;The Cyber Journal of Applied Leisure and Recreation Research; International Journal of Sport Management, Recreation & Tourism, Schole’; Journal of Hospitality Leisure, Sport, and Tourism Education

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Beasley, L., & Johnson, E. J., & Waller, S. (in press). Sports chaplains and social workers: A theoretical understanding of a necessary component of an interprofessional collaborative practice in sport in the United States. Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Studies.

Scott, J.L., Waller, S.N., & Wozencroft, A.J. (in press). Professional identity: Race
and gender in recreational therapy. American Journal of Recreation Therapy.

Waller, S.N. (2021). Identity formation as an antecedent to the practice of sports
chaplaincy. In J. Tucker and P. Halstead (Eds.). The sports and play in Christian theology.(pp. 71-92). Lamham: Lexington Books/Fortress.

Waller, S.N., Wozencroft, A.J., Scott, J.L., Shaw, S., & Picariello, M.* (2020).
An exploratory study of the occupational mobility patterns of African American women working in public sector parks and recreation organizations in the United States. Managing Sport and Leisure, 25(1), 1-23.

Scott, J., Wozencroft, A. & Waller, S. (2020). The relationship between personality and compassion fatigue among future recreational therapists. American Journal of Recreation Therapy, 19(1), 1-8.

Beale-Tawfeeq, A., Anderson, A., & Waller, S.N. (2020). Editorial introducing the
Special issue, diversity in aquatics. International Journal of Aquatics Research and Education, 12(31),1-3.

Waller, S.N., Bemiller, J., Johnson, E.,* Cole, C.,* Scott, J.L., & Wozencroft, A.J. (2020). Citizen engagement in aquatics equity: The case of winston waterworks. International Journal of Aquatics Research and Education, 12(31),1-24.

Picariello, M., Angelle, P., Trendafilova, S., Waller, S., & Ziakas, V. (2020). Examining the role of mentoring in women’s career advancement: A qualitative study of women in upper management in the national basketball association. Journal of Global Sport Management. DOI: 10.1080/24704067.2021.1871859.

Love, A., Deeb, A., & Waller, S.N. (2020). In N.J. Watson, G. Jarvie and A. Parker
(Eds). Social justice, sport and racism: A position statement. In Social justice and sport in the 21^st century: Religious, sociological and capability perspectives (pp. 131-144). London: Routledge/Taylor and Francis.

Waller, S.N. & Bemiller, J. (2018). Navigating rough waters: Discrimination, the law and public swimming pools. International Journal of Aquatics Research and Education. 11(1), 1-15.

Beale-Tawfeeq, A., Waller, S.N. & Anderson, A. (2018). Guest editors’ introduction to the special issue, diversity in aquatics. International Journal of Aquatics Research and Education. 11(1), 1-4.

Waller, S.N. (2018). Does church attendance impede Sunday professional football spectatorship among african american men: A case study. International Journal of Religion and Society, 5(3), 1-16.

Wozencroft, A.J., Waller, S.N., & Kiernozek, K. (2017). Perceived leisure constraints of parents and caregivers of children with disabilities. Journal of Unconventional Parks, Tourism and Recreation Research, 7(1), 2-10.

Waller, S. (2017). “Fist, feet and faith”: An ‘elite’ interview with ‘Fight Church’ Pastor Jude Roberts-Part II. Sport in Society, 20(9),1241-1258.

Picariello, M., & Waller, S.N. (2016). The importance of role modeling in mentoring women: Lessons from Pat Summitt’s legacy. Physical Culture and Sport: Studies and Research, LXXI, 5-13.

Waller, S.N. , Huffman, L.T., & Hardin, R. (2016). The sport chaplains’ role in the holistic care model for collegiate athletes in the United States, Practical Theology, 9(3), 226-241.

Waller, S.N. (2016). Chaplain or sports chaplain first? Why identity formation should matter to sports chaplains. Practical Theology, 9(3), 242-257.

Waller, S., & Martin, V. (2016). Research note: Religious doctrine and its influence on the choice to gamble as a leisure pastime among african american methodists. Leisure Studies, 0(0), 1-11. DOI: 10.1080/02614367.2016.1203351.

Waller, S.N., Wozencroft, A.J., & Scott, J.L. (2016) Compassion fatigue among disability camp staff: An exploratory study. Annals of Leisure Research, 19(2), 1-16. DOI:10.1080/11745398.2016.1162724.

REFEREED JOURNAL ARTICLES

Wozencroft, A.J., Waller, S.N., Scott, J.L., Hamilton, A., & Webb, K. (In press). Perceptions of recreational therapists on organisational safety and workplace climate during COVID-19. World Leisure Journal, 67,1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/16078055.2025.2513950

Hardin, R., Waller, S., & Dzikus, L. (In press). Reflections on studying collegiate sport chaplaincy: A professional and personal dialogue. International Journal of Kinesiology in Higher Education.

Waller, S.N., Wozencroft, A.J., & Scott, J.L. (In press). An analysis of the relationship among organizational culture, workplace climate and job satisfaction among certified recreational therapists in the United States. Therapeutic Recreation Journal.

Blankenship, H.*, Scott, J.L. & Waller, S. (In press). Managing user conflicts in a water aerobics program on behalf of a veteran’s group: A short case study.” International Journal of Aquatics Research and Education.

Waller, S.N., & Bemiller, J.H. (In press). If we tear it down, we might build you a new one: The troublesome use of eminent domain and urban neighborhood swimming pools. International Journal of Aquatics Research and Education.

Waller, S.N., & Bemiller, J.H. (In press). An examination of the experiences of an African American male diver on a power four swim team: An elite interview. International Journal of Aquatics Research and Education.

Waller, S.N. (2024). Parting comments from an outgoing editor. Movement and Being: The Journal of Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Studies, 8(1), 1-6.

Waller, S.N., Wozencroft, A.J., & Scott, J.L. (2024). The impact of job satisfaction and thriving in the workplaces of recreational therapists. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 58(3), 241-256.

Smith, Z.T, Hardin, R. & Waller, S.N. (2023). Contemporary muscular Christian values as “culturalized religion”: A theoretical framework and pilot data. International Journal of Sport and Religion, 1(2), 13-46.

Waller, S. (2023). The death of George Floyd and its impact on sports chaplaincy: Navigating culturally responsive care for BIPOC people in sport. Religions Journal, 14, 1-17.

Waller, S., Flowers, R., & Crooms, B. (2023). Building bridges: Examining the role of university athletic departments and local congregations in the holistic care of student-athletes in the United States. Religions Journal, 14, 1-13.

Beale-Tawfeeq, A.K., Waller, S.N., & Quash, T.M. PhD (2023). Third diversity in aquatics special issue. International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education, 14(2), 1-4.

Waller, S.N., Bemiller, J.H., & Scott, J.L. (2023). Racist or radical? The strange case of Robert Moses and the building of New York City’s aquatics infrastructure. International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education, 14(5), 1-16.

Beale-Tawfeeq, A., Anderson, A., & Waller, S.N. (2020). Editorial introducing the special issue, diversity in aquatics. International Journal of Aquatics Research and Education, 12(31),1-3.

Waller, S.N., Wozencroft, A.J., Scott, J.L., Shaw, S., & Picariello, M.* (2020).

An exploratory study of the occupational mobility patterns of African American women working in public sector parks and recreation organizations in the United States. Managing Sport and Leisure, 25(1), 1-23.

Hardin, R., Waller, S. N., & Dzikus, L. (2019). NCAA athletic directors’ perceptions of sports chaplains: An exploratory study of the value of collegiate sports chaplains in the United States. Journal of Contemporary Athletics, 13(4), 281-296.

Smith, Z.T.* & Waller, S.N. (2019). Surveying the landscape of theories and framework used in the study of sport and religion: An interdisciplinary approach. Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Studies, 6(1), 1-19.

Love, A., Deeb, A.*, & Waller, S.N. (2019). Social justice, sport and racism: A position statement. Quest, 17(2), 227-238.

Scott, J.L., Wozencroft, A. J, Waller, S. N. (2019). Ecological momentary assessment
research in therapeutic recreation. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 53(1), 192-211.

Wozencroft, A.J., Scott, J.L, & Waller, S.N. (2019). Professional quality of life in
recreational therapists. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 53(1), 160-174.

Scott, J.L., Wozencroft, A. J, Waller, S. N., & M. Parsons (2019). Positive youth
development through outdoor therapeutic recreation camps for youth with disabilities. Journal of Youth Development, 14(1), 182-197.

BOOK CHAPTERS

Waller, S.N. (2021). Identity formation as an antecedent to the practice of sports chaplaincy. In J. Tucker and P. Halstead (Eds.). Sports and play in Christian theology (pp. 71-92). Lexington: Lexington Books/Fortress.

Polite, F.G., Waller, S.N., & Kourmoulis, M. (2021). Building brand identity via sports. In J.Lee, B.A. Cinafrone and E. Gregg (Eds.). Branding in higher education: Every university tells a story (pp. 53-61). North Carolina Academic Press.

Love, A., Deeb, A., & Waller, S.N. (2020). Social justice, sport and racism: A position statement. In N.J. Watson, G. Jarvie and A. Parker (Eds). In Social justice and sport in the 21^st century: Religious, sociological and capability perspectives (pp. 131-144). London: Routledge/Taylor and Francis.

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences