Home > Drew Zwald

Drew Zwald

Professor of Sport Science and Physical Education
Ph.D., Ohio University
Office: Statesboro Campus-Hollis Building – Room 1100B
Phone: 912-478-0091
Fax: 912-478-0381
E-mail:dzwald@georgiasouthern.edu
Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Personal Statement

Dr. Zwald is a professor and the former Director of the Physical Activity Program in the Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology at Georgia Southern University. He also is the past president of the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education. His previous academic appointment was at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was the Director of the Physical Education Activity Program in the Department of Physical Education, Exercise and Sport Science. He received his Ph.D. from Ohio University in Higher Education Administration. He also holds a M.S. from Ohio University in Physical Education and a B.S. from the College of William and Mary in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. His teaching and research focuses on administration, pedagogy and coaching education. He has published articles, book chapters and manuals, awarded grants and presented over 100 research papers at international, national, regional or state conferences. He has trained, evaluated, supervised and supported over 800 graduate assistants and faculty teaching physical activity classes. In 1988, under his direction, the Physical Education Activity Program at the University of North Carolina was recognized by AAHPERD and NASPE as one of the Most Successful Physical Education Basic Instructional Programs in the United States. Under his direction Georgia Southern University was recognized by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education as one of two universities in the United States to offer a graduate and undergraduate accredited coaching education program. He taught health and physical education in the public schools for eight years and coached various sports for thirteen years at the interscholastic and collegiate levels. He was recognized by the United States Tennis Association as a member of the USA Tennis All-American Team and selected for the 2003 USA Team Tennis Adult Volunteer Award. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education, National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education, United States Center for Coaching Excellence and the Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Drew and his wife, Robin, enjoy visiting their three children and six grandchildren, exercising, traveling, golfing, hiking and relaxing at the coast.

Research

Research Interests

Coaching Education; Physical Activity; Pedagogy; Administration

Recent Refereed Presentations

Zwald, D., Wilson, C. H., Thompson, M., & Dieffenbach, K. (2022, June). Current and future administrative issues and solutions for directors and faculty of coaching education programs. Master Class at the 2022 North American Coach Development Summit, Spokane, WA.

Wilson, C. H., Melton, B., Zwald, D., & Czech, D. (2020, January). Driving change in rural sport coaching. Paper Presentation at the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education National Conference, Palm Springs, CA.

Wilson, C. H., Zwald, D. (2019, October) Coaching Generation Z. Presentation Paper at the GAHPERD Convention, Athens GA.

Wilson, C. H., Zwald, D. (2019, June). Middle school sports for all: a case study. Paper presentation at the North American Coach Developer Summit. Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Wilson, C. H., Zwald, D. (2019, March). Hoops with heroes: lessons learned from a law enforcement and middle school youth collaboration. Poster Presentation at National Youth at Risk Conference. Savannah, GA.

Wilson, C. H., Zwald, D., & Webb, P. (2019, January). Expanding middle school sports: a multi-agency quest. Paper Presentation at the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education National Conference, Savannah, GA.

Wilson, C. H., Zwald, D., & Melton, B. (2019, January). Navigating ncace accreditation. Poster Presentation at the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education National Conference, Savannah, GA.

Professional Affiliations and Organizations

Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education

National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education

United States Center for Coaching Excellence

Opportunities for Students

There are student opportunities for research, presentations and field experiences in best practices in athletic coaching.

Last updated: 7/5/2022

Clinical Internship/Practicum Experience Update

Many of the clinical programs offered by the Waters College of Health Professions require a clinical internship or practicum experience to fulfill degree requirements. Pursuant to the University's legal agreements, participants in clinical experiences are required to abide by the workplace rules of the clinical site. The University is aware of recent federal requirements that would mandate vaccination against COVID-19 for those working in certain settings, including health care. At this time, we expect that these new requirements may significantly impact our ability to locate a placement for students who remain unvaccinated. As always, WCHP will continue to make every effort to place students at clinical sites. However, please be aware that we may be unable to locate a site to accept unvaccinated students, which may cause a delay or inability to progress and complete the program of study.

Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology • hk-office@georgiasouthern.edu