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About Us

 

Founding of the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI)


In August 2001 Korey Stringer, a Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman, died from exertional heat stroke. Korey Stringer played for the Minnesota Vikings and during his five-year tenure earned pro-bowl honors. Since the time of Korey’s death, Korey’s wife, Kelci Stringer, has worked tirelessly to develop a heat stroke prevention institute to honor her husband’s legacy. To that end, she has joined forces with exertional heat stroke expert Douglas Casa, Ph.D, ATC from the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut to make this dream a reality.

 

ksi groupBackground


Exertional heat stroke is one of the leading causes of sudden death in sport. During certain times of the year, it is likely the leading cause of death. Many cases of exertional heat stroke could be prevented if strategies to enhance the health and safety of athletes were improved to focus on hydration, phase-in programs for heat acclimatization, access to on-site medical care, etc. When an exertional heat stroke does occur – not all cases could ever be prevented within the confines of athletes performing intense exercise in the heat – proper recognition, treatment and emergency action plans need to be in place to assure athlete survival.

The crux of the problem is that current polices for decreasing the incidence of exertional heat illness are extremely ineffective, and the potential for inappropriate care continues to be a large threat. The Korey Stringer Institute will strive to help resolve these problems.

 

Korey Stringer Institute Mission Statement


The mission of the Korey Stringer Institute is to provide first-rate information, resources, assistance and advocacy for the prevention of sudden death in sport, especially as it relates to exertional heat stroke.

The Korey Stringer Institute is housed in the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. UConn has a strong tradition and reputation as one of the leading institutions studying heat and hydration issues related to athletes and the physically active. KSI is partnered with the National Football League (NFL) and Gatorade to further advance its efforts and goals.

 

Korey Stringer Institute Goals

KSI serves the needs of active people and athletes at all levels – youth, high school, college, professional and recreational athletes – people who are physically active, and those who supervise and care for these individuals. Components of these services include: consultations, advocacy, education, research, change grants, and mass-market outreach.

 

University of Connecticut Neag School of Education

The Korey Stringer Institute is housed at the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. The Neag School of Education houses the department of kinesiology and faculty, which is renowned for its research and expertise in the area of heat and hydration. 

 

Overview:
The Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut is the only named school or college at UConn.  In 1999, it was renamed to honor UConn alumnus Ray Neag, who donated $21 million to the school of education. At the time, it was the largest gift ever given to any school of education in the country.

  • In addition to the Teacher Education Unit, four departments comprise the Neag School: Educational Psychology, Educational Leadership, Kinesiology, and Curriculum & Instruction.Uconn
  • In addition to its 10 centers and four labs, the Neag School is home to two national research centers funded by the U.S. Department of Education:
    • National Research Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development
    • Technical Assistance Center for Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports
  • The Nayden Rehabilitation Clinic, an entity of the Dept. of Kinesiology, treats more than 1,000 patients each year from UConn and the surrounding communities and serves as a clinical site for our physical therapy students.

Grants:
$53 million – includes new and previously awarded multi-year grants.

 

Endowments:
$22 million – The Neag School has three endowed chairs and one endowed professorship.

 

Student Support:
Scholarships awarded $110,000 (2008-2009)

 

Rankings:
According to the 2010 rankings by U.S. News & World Report, the Neag School of Education is:

  • The #1 ranked public graduate school of education in the Northeast and East Coast.
  • Ranked 16th among the public schools of education surveyed.
  • Ranked 24th among the 278 private and public education schools

Student Enrollment Total: 1117 (2008-2009)
Undergraduate Total: 295
Graduate Total: 822

 

Department of Kinesiology within Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut

Points of Pride:

  • For 10 years running UConn has been rated by U.S. News & World Report as the number one public university in New England – and today ranks among the top 30 public universities in the nation.
  • The American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education ranks the Neag School of Education’s doctoral program in kinesiology number one in the nation.

The Department of Kinesiology Fields of Study:

  • Athletic Training (B.S.)
  • Exercise Science with concentrations in Exercise Science (B.S.) and Strength & Conditioning (B.S.).
  • Sport Management with concentrations in Coaching & Administration (B.S.) and Sport Management (B.S.)
  • Kinesiology with concentrations in Exercise Science (M.A., Ph.D.) and Sports Management (M.A., Ph.D).
  • Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)