A 2021 Adams State sport psychology graduate Seth Papineau describes his Adams State Great Story: “Choosing Adams State was one of the best decisions I ever made.” This statement is not over the top, as Papineau claims the “paw prints” of Adams State are all over his path to graduate school and pursuing a doctorate in sport psychology.
Papineau chose Adams State for two reasons: to study sport psychology and to run cross country and track & field. “A particularly pivotal moment in my academic career was during my junior year, when I unfortunately needed to step away from training with the cross country and track & field team.” This presented as an opportunity to lean into his studies and embrace research as a new passion.
Adams State Rena Kirkland, Ph.D. professor of psychology, and Brian Zuleger, Ph.D., professor of kinesiology, were instrumental in Papineau’s path towards studying sport psychology at Florida State University and to now entering a research-intensive doctorate program at Wilfrid Laurier University.
“Not only is Dr. Kirkland’s teaching style conducive to learning, but her enthusiasm toward education is what left a particularly lasting mark on me. Dr. Kirkland is always smiling in and out of the classroom and wants what is best for her students. Dr. Kirkland’s work ethic should not go unnoticed, as she is one of the hardest working professors I ever had the pleasure of coming into contact with.”
Dr. Zuleger was instrumental in Papineau choosing Adams State. “Dr. Zuleger is a prominent figure in sport psychology and the figurehead of one of the best undergraduate sport psychology programs in the nation.”
As a senior, Papineau worked with Dr. Zuleger on a research project involving a team building activity with cross country athletes. “This project opened my eyes to the possibility of combining my two passions: cross country and research. I look up to him and appreciate his guidance. Dr. Zuleger continuously delivers presentations and workshops to coaches and athletes in an effort to advance the (relatively) young field.”
Papineau said “passion” describes his experience at Adams State. “I firmly believe that one of the most desirable traits for graduate school, other than having knowledge of the field, of course, is to truly enjoy and be interested in the field you are entering. I will never forget a conversation I recently had with my future supervisor at Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada. He said ‘your enthusiasm is contagious,’ of course, supervisors want to know that you have the knowledge to properly engage with and produce research, but what is talked about much less is having the ‘staying power’ to get through the hard moments graduate school will undoubtedly present. Being truly passionate about your work is what will give you the staying power and potentially even an advantage over other students.”
The integration of the kinesiology and psychology departments sets Adams State apart in the sport psychology program. “Sport psychology practitioners lean on psychological and physiological research in their work with sport, exercise, and performance populations. For this reason, it only makes sense for students to learn about both fields to establish their knowledge of the greater field of sport psychology.”
Lessons learned as a student athlete continues to resonate with Papineau. “Coach Damon Martin always comes to practice with a good attitude, often starting practice saying ‘today is a beautiful day.’ Considering this as a famous ‘Coach Martin-ism,’ I often find myself saying ‘today is a beautiful day’ because it means more than just the weather. It means any day is a beautiful day if you have a great attitude and make the most with what you have. Additionally, Coach Martin preaches the idea of ‘chasing excellence,’ meaning that we should always give everything our best effort. I have adopted this perspective in my own life and is yet another reason why I am the person I am today.”
Papineau, originally from Bossier City, La., will forever be grateful for the experiences at Adams State, his professors and coaches, and the friends and classmates he met over his four years in Alamosa. “I truly believe I am living my dream and Adams State is firmly a reason why. I am forever a Grizzly.”
Seth Papineau Education
Adams State University: B.A. in Sport Psychology (no minor)
Florida State University (Tallahassee, Florida): M.S. in Sport Psychology
Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada): Ph.D. in Kinesiology
