Christopher Stankovich, Ph.D.
@drstankovich.bsky.social
Professional athletic counselor, educator, author, and The Sports Doc media personality. Professor of sport psychology, society, & culture. drstankovich.com
We trust influencers because they feel relatable—but relatability isn’t expertise.
When popularity replaces knowledge, bad advice spreads fast. drstankovich.com/experts-vs-i...
When popularity replaces knowledge, bad advice spreads fast. drstankovich.com/experts-vs-i...
Experts vs. Influencers: How Online Popularity Hijacks Our Critical Thinking & Judgment | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
You hear about “influencers” all the time today, but it wasn’t that long ago when we relied on true experts for help, not individuals who simply gained popularity online. A modern-day influencer is d...
drstankovich.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:07 PM
We trust influencers because they feel relatable—but relatability isn’t expertise.
When popularity replaces knowledge, bad advice spreads fast. drstankovich.com/experts-vs-i...
When popularity replaces knowledge, bad advice spreads fast. drstankovich.com/experts-vs-i...
Legalized sports betting was supposed to make games more exciting. Instead, some college athletes now face threats and harassment when bettors lose money. If sports betting profits come at the cost of athlete safety, we’ve crossed a line. drstankovich.com/the-dark-sid...
The Dark Side of Legal Sports Gambling: Fear, Harassment, and College Athlete Safety | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Now that sports gambling has been legalized, we are learning about the problems that have occurred as a direct result of betting In addition to the growing concerns around gambling addiction, and pl...
drstankovich.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Legalized sports betting was supposed to make games more exciting. Instead, some college athletes now face threats and harassment when bettors lose money. If sports betting profits come at the cost of athlete safety, we’ve crossed a line. drstankovich.com/the-dark-sid...
Every time AI does the thinking for us, our mental muscles shrink a little. Curiosity is like fitness — use it or lose it. drstankovich.com/the-decline-...
The Decline of Critical Thinking in the Age of Artificial Intelligence | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
There’s a good chance you use artificial intelligence (AI) on a daily basis, and if you don’t now, you likely will in the very near future. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, we now regularly use to...
drstankovich.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Every time AI does the thinking for us, our mental muscles shrink a little. Curiosity is like fitness — use it or lose it. drstankovich.com/the-decline-...
The word mental carries history — asylums, stereotypes, and silence. We can’t erase that overnight, but we can start speaking differently today. drstankovich.com/beyond-the-s... #mentalhealth
Beyond the Stigma: How “Mental” Became a Barrier to Mental Health | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Having spent my entire career in the mental health field, I have witnessed both the tremendous value of mental health assistance, and the unfortunate tendency for people to avoid it due to lingering s...
drstankovich.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The word mental carries history — asylums, stereotypes, and silence. We can’t erase that overnight, but we can start speaking differently today. drstankovich.com/beyond-the-s... #mentalhealth
Every young athlete has a ceiling (their best days) and a floor (their worst).
College athletes? Their bad days still look better than most kids’ good ones.
That’s what separates college athletes from everyone else. drstankovich.com/when-talent-... #kids #sports
College athletes? Their bad days still look better than most kids’ good ones.
That’s what separates college athletes from everyone else. drstankovich.com/when-talent-... #kids #sports
When Talent Meets Reality: Is Your Child’s Ceiling High Enough for College Sports? | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
The terms ceiling and floor are often used to describe potential performance in sports, where the ceiling is the maximum possible achievement, and the floor is the minimum (or worst) performance. As y...
drstankovich.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Every young athlete has a ceiling (their best days) and a floor (their worst).
College athletes? Their bad days still look better than most kids’ good ones.
That’s what separates college athletes from everyone else. drstankovich.com/when-talent-... #kids #sports
College athletes? Their bad days still look better than most kids’ good ones.
That’s what separates college athletes from everyone else. drstankovich.com/when-talent-... #kids #sports
Signing Day feels like the finish line.
But for college athletes, it’s just the begining.
Everyone wants to be a college athlete — until they see what it takes to stay one. Eat, lift, class, practice, film, study, repeat.
Every. Single. Day. drstankovich.com/increasingly...
But for college athletes, it’s just the begining.
Everyone wants to be a college athlete — until they see what it takes to stay one. Eat, lift, class, practice, film, study, repeat.
Every. Single. Day. drstankovich.com/increasingly...
Increasingly More Student Athletes Make it to College — Then Quit | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Millions of American families are involved in youth sports, with many interested in helping their child earn a D-1 college athletic scholarship to help offset college costs. While only about 5-7% of ...
drstankovich.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Signing Day feels like the finish line.
But for college athletes, it’s just the begining.
Everyone wants to be a college athlete — until they see what it takes to stay one. Eat, lift, class, practice, film, study, repeat.
Every. Single. Day. drstankovich.com/increasingly...
But for college athletes, it’s just the begining.
Everyone wants to be a college athlete — until they see what it takes to stay one. Eat, lift, class, practice, film, study, repeat.
Every. Single. Day. drstankovich.com/increasingly...
You don’t need a $100/month gym membership to build an athlete. Before there were apps, trainers, or boutique gyms…
There were kids doing wind sprints in the yard and push-ups in the basement. Those methods still work. drstankovich.com/push-ups-ove... #kids #sports
There were kids doing wind sprints in the yard and push-ups in the basement. Those methods still work. drstankovich.com/push-ups-ove... #kids #sports
Push-Ups Over Price Tags: The Case for Old-School Fitness in Youth Sports | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Kids today have a lot of options when it comes to getting in shape, including the weight room at the school, local community gyms, and possibly in the basement of their own home. In fact, as we incre...
drstankovich.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:50 PM
You don’t need a $100/month gym membership to build an athlete. Before there were apps, trainers, or boutique gyms…
There were kids doing wind sprints in the yard and push-ups in the basement. Those methods still work. drstankovich.com/push-ups-ove... #kids #sports
There were kids doing wind sprints in the yard and push-ups in the basement. Those methods still work. drstankovich.com/push-ups-ove... #kids #sports
Are athletes still role models — or just entertainers? Should we hold athletes -- including young athletes -- more accountable for their actions simply because they play sports? drstankovich.com/role-models-... #mentalhealth #sports #kids
Role Models, or Mere Athletes? Reassessing the Expectations We Place on Athletes | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Are athletes still expected to be role models? For as long as I can remember, we have always assumed that athletes conduct themselves in healthy, positive ways, including making good decisions and mo...
drstankovich.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Are athletes still role models — or just entertainers? Should we hold athletes -- including young athletes -- more accountable for their actions simply because they play sports? drstankovich.com/role-models-... #mentalhealth #sports #kids
Every team huddle teaches kids how to listen, collaborate, and trust others.
Kids learn quickly that those skills transfer to the classroom, workplace, and relationships.
drstankovich.com/from-the-fie... #kids #mentalhealth
Kids learn quickly that those skills transfer to the classroom, workplace, and relationships.
drstankovich.com/from-the-fie... #kids #mentalhealth
From the Field to Real Life: Using Athletic Transferable Skills for Life Success | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
When it comes to sport participation, most athletes overlook (or devalue) the life skills they learn while competing. This is not surprising, especially when you consider how regularly athletes (of a...
drstankovich.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Every team huddle teaches kids how to listen, collaborate, and trust others.
Kids learn quickly that those skills transfer to the classroom, workplace, and relationships.
drstankovich.com/from-the-fie... #kids #mentalhealth
Kids learn quickly that those skills transfer to the classroom, workplace, and relationships.
drstankovich.com/from-the-fie... #kids #mentalhealth
I recently had the great opportunity to sit down with Tyler Fitzgerald, head baseball coach at Grandview Heights High School, to discuss his coaching background, recent baseball success, and important tips & advice for kids & parents.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9gl...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9gl...
Building Baseball and Balance with Coach Tyler Fitzgerald | GHS Athletics Podcast | October 2025
YouTube video by Grandview Heights Schools
www.youtube.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:41 PM
I recently had the great opportunity to sit down with Tyler Fitzgerald, head baseball coach at Grandview Heights High School, to discuss his coaching background, recent baseball success, and important tips & advice for kids & parents.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9gl...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9gl...
Talent is a gift. Effort is a choice.
In youth sports, the kids who show up early, listen, and hustle create their own advantage. drstankovich.com/beyond-natur... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
In youth sports, the kids who show up early, listen, and hustle create their own advantage. drstankovich.com/beyond-natur... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Beyond Natural Talent: How Hustle and Attitude Make a Difference in Youth Sports | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
While it is true that most kids aren’t as talented as LeBron James or Caitlyn Clark, there are still many important things that every kid can do while competing in youth sports. Even though your son ...
drstankovich.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Talent is a gift. Effort is a choice.
In youth sports, the kids who show up early, listen, and hustle create their own advantage. drstankovich.com/beyond-natur... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
In youth sports, the kids who show up early, listen, and hustle create their own advantage. drstankovich.com/beyond-natur... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Sitting on a strong team can hurt confidence, but fuel growth.
Starting on a weak team can build confidence, but limit challenge.
Do kids benefit more from sitting the bench on a good team, or playing a lot on a bad team? drstankovich.com/youth-sports... #kids #mentalhealth
Starting on a weak team can build confidence, but limit challenge.
Do kids benefit more from sitting the bench on a good team, or playing a lot on a bad team? drstankovich.com/youth-sports... #kids #mentalhealth
Youth Sports Playing Time vs. Prestige: Which Matters More for Kids? | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Would kids rather sit the bench on a really good team, or play a lot on a bad team? For many kids this is a question they (and/or their parents) must answer as they navigate the increasingly complex ...
drstankovich.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Sitting on a strong team can hurt confidence, but fuel growth.
Starting on a weak team can build confidence, but limit challenge.
Do kids benefit more from sitting the bench on a good team, or playing a lot on a bad team? drstankovich.com/youth-sports... #kids #mentalhealth
Starting on a weak team can build confidence, but limit challenge.
Do kids benefit more from sitting the bench on a good team, or playing a lot on a bad team? drstankovich.com/youth-sports... #kids #mentalhealth
Sports uniforms don’t just make teams look unified — they make them feel unified.
Uniforms turn “me” into “we,' and gives kids confidence, connection, a sense of purpose, and an athletic identity. drstankovich.com/same-colors-... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Uniforms turn “me” into “we,' and gives kids confidence, connection, a sense of purpose, and an athletic identity. drstankovich.com/same-colors-... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Same Colors, Shared Confidence: The Hidden Value of Team Uniforms | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Youth sports uniforms have come a long way from when you played, with today’s new sweat-wicking fabrics offering better comfort than the old cotton (wool!) uniforms kids used to wear. In fact, not on...
drstankovich.com
October 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Sports uniforms don’t just make teams look unified — they make them feel unified.
Uniforms turn “me” into “we,' and gives kids confidence, connection, a sense of purpose, and an athletic identity. drstankovich.com/same-colors-... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Uniforms turn “me” into “we,' and gives kids confidence, connection, a sense of purpose, and an athletic identity. drstankovich.com/same-colors-... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
The secret to greatness isn’t secret at all. The basics aren’t flashy.
They’re repetitive.
They’re tiring.
But for athletes like Paul Skenes, they’re the difference between good and great. drstankovich.com/the-grind-be...
They’re repetitive.
They’re tiring.
But for athletes like Paul Skenes, they’re the difference between good and great. drstankovich.com/the-grind-be...
The Grind Before the Glory: Why the Best Athletes Never Skip the Basics | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Most kids practicing sports will do things they enjoy, already do well, and/or are allow them to experience immediate success. For example, watch kids when playing on their own and you will often wit...
drstankovich.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:35 PM
The secret to greatness isn’t secret at all. The basics aren’t flashy.
They’re repetitive.
They’re tiring.
But for athletes like Paul Skenes, they’re the difference between good and great. drstankovich.com/the-grind-be...
They’re repetitive.
They’re tiring.
But for athletes like Paul Skenes, they’re the difference between good and great. drstankovich.com/the-grind-be...
College coaches get extensions after losses, buyouts after collapses, and millions no matter what.
It’s time to ask: What are schools really buying? drstankovich.com/high-salarie...
It’s time to ask: What are schools really buying? drstankovich.com/high-salarie...
High Salaries, Low Returns: Why So Many College Coaches Aren’t Worth the Price Tag | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
When it comes to sport success, there have always been debates around the overall impact the coach has on a team. In recent years sports fans have often used the New England Patriots as an example, w...
drstankovich.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:58 PM
College coaches get extensions after losses, buyouts after collapses, and millions no matter what.
It’s time to ask: What are schools really buying? drstankovich.com/high-salarie...
It’s time to ask: What are schools really buying? drstankovich.com/high-salarie...
Once reserved for elite college programs, pre-dawn practices are now routine in high school. Are we building toughness and commitment — or putting kids’ health and development at risk? drstankovich.com/morning-spor... #mentalhealth #kids #sports #psychology
Morning Sports Practice Before School is Becoming the Norm, but is this Healthy for Kids? | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
If you haven’t been paying close attention you might be surprised to learn that increasingly more student athletes today not only practice after school, they are also expected to train in the morning ...
drstankovich.com
October 20, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Once reserved for elite college programs, pre-dawn practices are now routine in high school. Are we building toughness and commitment — or putting kids’ health and development at risk? drstankovich.com/morning-spor... #mentalhealth #kids #sports #psychology
The line between college and pro sports disappeared years ago.
Now high school athletes are cashing in too. With NIL money reaching high school locker rooms, true "amateur" sports hang in the balance. drstankovich.com/the-end-of-a... #sports #mentalhealth #kids #coaching
Now high school athletes are cashing in too. With NIL money reaching high school locker rooms, true "amateur" sports hang in the balance. drstankovich.com/the-end-of-a... #sports #mentalhealth #kids #coaching
The End of Amateurism: How NIL Money Is Transforming the Meaning of Youth Sports | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
When the NCAA approved for student athletes to begin collecting Name, Image, & Likeness (NIL) deals in 2021, it was the first significant blow to the “amateur” sports model Americans have recognized s...
drstankovich.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:10 PM
The line between college and pro sports disappeared years ago.
Now high school athletes are cashing in too. With NIL money reaching high school locker rooms, true "amateur" sports hang in the balance. drstankovich.com/the-end-of-a... #sports #mentalhealth #kids #coaching
Now high school athletes are cashing in too. With NIL money reaching high school locker rooms, true "amateur" sports hang in the balance. drstankovich.com/the-end-of-a... #sports #mentalhealth #kids #coaching
Your kid does not need a hype team — he needs a support system.
Reel in the parental sports bragging, encourage all kids, and let their play on the field do all the talking.
drstankovich.com/the-sports-b... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Reel in the parental sports bragging, encourage all kids, and let their play on the field do all the talking.
drstankovich.com/the-sports-b... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
The Sports Brag Trap: Why the Best Sports Parents Don’t Brag About their Kids | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Bragging is defined as excessively proud and boastful talk about one’s achievements or possessions. A humble brag is a self-promotion wrapped in a complaint, self-deprecation, or faux modesty. While...
drstankovich.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Your kid does not need a hype team — he needs a support system.
Reel in the parental sports bragging, encourage all kids, and let their play on the field do all the talking.
drstankovich.com/the-sports-b... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Reel in the parental sports bragging, encourage all kids, and let their play on the field do all the talking.
drstankovich.com/the-sports-b... #kids #mentalhealth #sports
Fired — and $50 million richer.
James Franklin’s buyout at Penn State shows just how out of control college football contracts have become.
When losing still pays, who’s really winning?
drstankovich.com/big-salaries...
James Franklin’s buyout at Penn State shows just how out of control college football contracts have become.
When losing still pays, who’s really winning?
drstankovich.com/big-salaries...
Big Salaries, Bigger Buyouts: The Hidden Price of College Coaching Contracts | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
James Franklin was fired from his head football coach position at Penn State over the weekend, a move that many fans expected after watching Franklin amass a 4-21 record against top ten teams during h...
drstankovich.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Fired — and $50 million richer.
James Franklin’s buyout at Penn State shows just how out of control college football contracts have become.
When losing still pays, who’s really winning?
drstankovich.com/big-salaries...
James Franklin’s buyout at Penn State shows just how out of control college football contracts have become.
When losing still pays, who’s really winning?
drstankovich.com/big-salaries...
Every fan’s dream: the end of bad strike calls.
Every purist’s nightmare: the end of human umpires.
Baseball’s biggest change is coming — are we ready for it?
drstankovich.com/should-baseb...
Every purist’s nightmare: the end of human umpires.
Baseball’s biggest change is coming — are we ready for it?
drstankovich.com/should-baseb...
Should Baseball Chase Perfection — or Preserve Its Imperfections? | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
The Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System is coming to Major League Baseball in 2026, meaning for the first time in baseball history (since 1876!) MLB umpires will be assisted by technology whe...
drstankovich.com
October 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Every fan’s dream: the end of bad strike calls.
Every purist’s nightmare: the end of human umpires.
Baseball’s biggest change is coming — are we ready for it?
drstankovich.com/should-baseb...
Every purist’s nightmare: the end of human umpires.
Baseball’s biggest change is coming — are we ready for it?
drstankovich.com/should-baseb...
When kids learn accountability early, they don’t just become better athletes — they become better people.
Sports are the classroom; accountability is the lesson. drstankovich.com/building-cha... #kids #sports #psychology #mentalhealth
Sports are the classroom; accountability is the lesson. drstankovich.com/building-cha... #kids #sports #psychology #mentalhealth
Building Champions with Character: The Role of Accountability in Youth Sports | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
One word that coaches like to use with student athletes is accountability, or simply being responsible for your actions. Coaches emphasize accountability as an integral piece to building a successful...
drstankovich.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:42 PM
When kids learn accountability early, they don’t just become better athletes — they become better people.
Sports are the classroom; accountability is the lesson. drstankovich.com/building-cha... #kids #sports #psychology #mentalhealth
Sports are the classroom; accountability is the lesson. drstankovich.com/building-cha... #kids #sports #psychology #mentalhealth
The NCAA just opened the door for athletes and staff to bet on sports. It’s being framed as “modernization.”
In reality? It’s a dangerous gamble with integrity on the line.
drstankovich.com/betting-on-t...
In reality? It’s a dangerous gamble with integrity on the line.
drstankovich.com/betting-on-t...
Betting on Trouble: Why the NCAA’s New Gambling Policy Misses the Mark | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
So, is sports gambling good or bad? Healthy or unhealthy? To answer that question you might want to steer clear of what the NCAA has to say, as their recent decision to allow college athletes and st...
drstankovich.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The NCAA just opened the door for athletes and staff to bet on sports. It’s being framed as “modernization.”
In reality? It’s a dangerous gamble with integrity on the line.
drstankovich.com/betting-on-t...
In reality? It’s a dangerous gamble with integrity on the line.
drstankovich.com/betting-on-t...
That tiny dopamine hit when someone “likes” your post?
It’s no accident — it’s neuroscience.
Discover why we’re hooked on digital validation. drstankovich.com/addicted-to-... #psychology #mentalhealth
It’s no accident — it’s neuroscience.
Discover why we’re hooked on digital validation. drstankovich.com/addicted-to-... #psychology #mentalhealth
Addicted to Approval: How Social Media Rewired Our Need to Be Liked | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Believe it or not, there once was a time humans conducted their lives without any thought of attracting “likes” for something they did, said, or photographed. For young people today, their lives have...
drstankovich.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:24 PM
That tiny dopamine hit when someone “likes” your post?
It’s no accident — it’s neuroscience.
Discover why we’re hooked on digital validation. drstankovich.com/addicted-to-... #psychology #mentalhealth
It’s no accident — it’s neuroscience.
Discover why we’re hooked on digital validation. drstankovich.com/addicted-to-... #psychology #mentalhealth
Pressure can fuel greatness — or crush it.
The difference? Learning healthy ways to cope.
Help athletes turn pressure into performance.
drstankovich.com/the-stress-a... #kids #sports #mentalhealth
The difference? Learning healthy ways to cope.
Help athletes turn pressure into performance.
drstankovich.com/the-stress-a... #kids #sports #mentalhealth
The Stress Advantage: Turning Nerves Into Performance Fuel | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
Athletes of all ages experience stress while competing. Many young athletes experience stress related to pressure and high expectations from parents and coaches with high expectations. For more seri...
drstankovich.com
October 7, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Pressure can fuel greatness — or crush it.
The difference? Learning healthy ways to cope.
Help athletes turn pressure into performance.
drstankovich.com/the-stress-a... #kids #sports #mentalhealth
The difference? Learning healthy ways to cope.
Help athletes turn pressure into performance.
drstankovich.com/the-stress-a... #kids #sports #mentalhealth
Coaches once rewarded players who showed up early, hustled, and pushed through the grind.
Today’s challenge: Upholding that same standard when half the roster has multi-sport conflicts. drstankovich.com/the-new-coac... #sports #psychology #coaching
Today’s challenge: Upholding that same standard when half the roster has multi-sport conflicts. drstankovich.com/the-new-coac... #sports #psychology #coaching
The New Coaching Dilemma: Rewarding Hustle in the Age of Over-Scheduled Athletes | The Sports Doc Chalk Talk with Dr. Chris Stankovich
As youth and interscholastic sports evolve, so too do the methods coaches use to develop athletes. While ‘old school’ coaches were often known for their loud voices and intimidating presence, they als...
drstankovich.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Coaches once rewarded players who showed up early, hustled, and pushed through the grind.
Today’s challenge: Upholding that same standard when half the roster has multi-sport conflicts. drstankovich.com/the-new-coac... #sports #psychology #coaching
Today’s challenge: Upholding that same standard when half the roster has multi-sport conflicts. drstankovich.com/the-new-coac... #sports #psychology #coaching