Kinesiology Department to Honor Phillips, Hold Harris Lecture

Janet Matsey Phillips will be recognized with the 16th annual Outstanding Alumnus Award from the James Madison University Department of Kinesiology at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at the Festival Conference and Student Center Ballroom. 

The award will be made to Phillips during the kinesiology department's annual Honors Dinner, following the Dorothy Harris Endowed Lecture by Dr. Michelle Magyar. Magyar is an assistant professor of kinesiology at California State University, Long Beach and an education research and evaluation consultant with the California Department of Education. 

Phillips is a 1988 JMU graduate and is co-owner of the Windy Hill Sports Complex in Midlothian. In 1998, Phillips received membership in the Professional Golf Association and in 2006 she was named the LPGA Professional of the Year. 

In addition to her accomplishments in golf, Phillips has been steadfast in giving back to the community, including organizing the Richmond area's first Special Olympics. At JMU, Phillips has been involved with the Morrison-Bruce Center for the Promotion of Physical Activity for Girls and Women. 

As a JMU student, Phillips starred on the women's golf team and earned a degree in sports management. 

Magyar will speak on "Constructing Caring Leadership in Sport: Who Cares if I Care?" The talk will focus on ways coaches and athletes create a caring climate and community. An example, Magyar says, is the move by New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin to create an 11-player leadership council. The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl in February. 

Magyar coordinates the bachelor's degree in coaching/sport psychology and the master's degree option in sport and exercise psychology at CSU Long Beach. She also provides mental training services and educational workshops for youth and collegiate athletes with a particular focus on the psychology of injury and rehabilitation, emotion regulation and peer leadership development.