Coleman Griffith

Coleman Griffith (1893-1966) was a pioneering American psychologist known as the "father of sports psychology." He studied the mental aspects of athletic performance and emphasized the importance of psychology in sports. Griffith founded the first sport psychology laboratory at the University of Illinois and conducted influential research on topics like motivation, learning, and the effects of mental training on athletes. His work laid the groundwork for modern sports psychology, helping athletes enhance their performance through mental strategies, such as visualization and goal-setting, and fostering a deeper understanding of the psychological factors impacting sports.