National Academy of Kinesiology Newsletter 2019
For more than 35 years, Dr. Thomas Kaminski has exemplified the best traditions of a distinguished scholar — one who is dedicated not only to the relentless pursuit of new knowledge, but one who is equally committed to truly improving the lives of others. His research has focused on understanding and preventing ankle injuries and concussions, which can be devastating, especially among young athletes. His innovative research on soccer headers has shown how players with stronger necks and torsos can reduce their chances of what he calls the “bobblehead effect,” which can severely damage brain cells. This led to creation of an interactive educational course developed with US Soccer and United Soccer Coaches called Get aHEAD Safely in Soccer. Dr. Kaminski is part of a team working on the landmark research project with the NCAA and the U.S. Department of Defense to examine concussions in intercollegiate sports.
At the University of Delaware, he directs the undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program, and this summer, he established UD’s new Master of Science in athletic training program. His list of honors is extensive; in fact, he is the only athletic trainer in the United States to have simultaneously been a fellow of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, the American College of Sports Medicine and the Research Consortium of the Society of Health and Physical Educators. Clearly, his election to the National Academy of Kinesiology is well deserved, and the University of Delaware is proud that he is joining two other faculty members — William Farquhar and John Jeka — as Fellows in this distinguished body.
Dr. Kaminski’s election to the National Academy of Kinesiology is richly deserved. It not only honors a lifetime of accomplishments and significant contributions to the field of kinesiology, but at the same tome it brings prestige and speaks volumes to the excellence ad impact of the Health Sciences at the University of Delaware. On behalf of our entire University community, I congratulate Dr. Thomas Kaminski, as well as the other five newly elected Fellows, on this remarkable achievement.
–Statement from Dr. Dennis Assanis, President of the University of Delaware