{"id":13648,"date":"2010-04-29T13:39:21","date_gmt":"2010-04-29T17:39:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=13648"},"modified":"2011-08-05T13:45:26","modified_gmt":"2011-08-05T17:45:26","slug":"korey-stringer-institute-a-natural-fit-for-uconns-kinesiology-department","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2010\/04\/korey-stringer-institute-a-natural-fit-for-uconns-kinesiology-department\/","title":{"rendered":"Korey Stringer Institute a Natural Fit for UConn&#8217;s Kinesiology Department"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe title=\"The Korey Stringer Institute\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JGeRtZGHakM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13616\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13616\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI014_lg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13616  img-responsive lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI014_lg-300x209.jpg\" alt=\"&lt;p&gt;Kelci Stringer, left, KSI founder and widow of Korey Stringer, and James Gould, Stringer's former NFL agent at a press conference announcing the formation of the Korey Stringer Institute. Photo by Peter Morenus&lt;\/p&gt;\" width=\"300\" height=\"209\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI014_lg-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI014_lg.jpg 700w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/209;\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13616\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kelci Stringer, left, KSI founder and widow of Korey Stringer, and James Gould, Stringer&#039;s former NFL agent, at a press conference announcing the formation of the Korey Stringer Institute on April 23. Photos by Peter Morenus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>When Kelci Stringer was looking for a home for a research institute honoring her late husband \u2013 All-Pro NFL lineman Korey Stringer \u2013 the University of Connecticut and its renowned kinesiology department were her first choice.<\/p>\n<p>Korey Stringer died from complications due to an exertional heat stroke he suffered during a Minnesota Vikings pre-season training camp in 2001. At the time, the University\u2019s Department of Kinesiology with its highly touted <a href=\"http:\/\/www.education.uconn.edu\/departments\/ekin\/labs\/hpl\/\">Human Performance Laboratory<\/a> was gaining a national reputation as a leader in studying heat-related illnesses and hydration in athletes.<\/p>\n<p>After speaking to UConn kinesiology professor Douglas J. Casa and calling on him as an expert witness in litigation she filed following her husband\u2019s death, Stringer was convinced she had found the person to lead the institute. Kelci Stringer announced her decision to establish the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ksi.uconn.edu\/\">Korey Stringer Institute<\/a> at UConn in late April at the 2010 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c(Doug Casa) is clearly one of the most passionate people I have ever met in my life,\u201d Stringer said. \u201cWith his background at the University of Connecticut\u2019s Department of Kinesiology and their reputation as a national leader in the study of heat and hydration in sports, it was practically divine intervention that I decided to work with them. They have been relentless in their efforts to help me and their commitment is unsurpassed.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13622\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13622\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI065_lg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13622  img-responsive lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI065_lg-300x193.jpg\" alt=\"&lt;p&gt;Douglas Casa, associate professor of kinesiology, speaks at a press conference held at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan on April 23 to announce the formation of the Korey Stringer Institute. Photo by Peter Morenus&lt;\/p&gt;\" width=\"300\" height=\"193\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI065_lg-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI065_lg.jpg 700w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/193;\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13622\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Douglas Casa, associate professor of kinesiology, speaks during the press conference at Radio City Music Hall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Casa will serve as the Korey Stringer Institute\u2019s chief operating officer, and is chairman of its medical &amp; science advisory board. A survivor of heat stroke who has dedicated his career to raising awareness and preventing heat-related illnesses in other athletes, Casa has published more than 100 peer-reviewed studies and presented more than 300 times on subjects related to heat stroke, heat-related illnesses, hydration, and preventing sudden death in sport. A fellow of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nata.org\/\">National Athletic Trainers\u2019 Association<\/a> and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.acsm.org\/\">American College of Sports Medicine<\/a>, Casa has successfully treated more than 100 cases of exertional heat stroke.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur goal with the Korey Stringer Institute is the eradication of death from heat stroke within organized sport in America,\u201d Casa says with his trademark high-energy, rapid-fire delivery. \u201cI\u2019m not saying we will actually ever achieve it because there are things outside our control, but that is our goal every single day when we walk into the office.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Korey Stringer Institute was established with the support of the National Football League and Gatorade as founding partners. The NFL Players Association is also an active supporter. Part of the Institute\u2019s mission will be to advise high schools across the country on setting up emergency action plans in case athletes succumb to heat-related illnesses on the playing field. Casa said the Institute\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/ksi.uconn.edu\/\">website<\/a> will provide up-to-date information for coaches, parents, athletes, and medical staff. The research team will also advocate for policy changes to improve athlete safety around the country.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe NCAA implemented guidelines six years ago in terms of phasing in practices for athletes and they have been phenomenally successful in preventing deaths during the August \u2018two-a-days\u2019,\u201d Casa says. \u201cBut only about half the states in America have policies for high school football. There are states where you can do three, three-hour practices on the first day of football in full gear in 100-degree heat. Obviously, that is not looking out for the health and safety of those athletes.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13618\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13618\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI016_lg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13618  img-responsive lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI016_lg-300x217.jpg\" alt=\"&lt;p&gt;From left, Gary Gerzog, senior VP of business affairs for the NFL, Kelci Stringer, KSI founder and widow of Korey Stringer, and James Gould, Stringer's former NFL agent at a press conference announcing the formation of the Korey Stringer Institute. Photo by Peter Morenus&lt;\/p&gt;\" width=\"300\" height=\"217\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI016_lg-300x217.jpg 300w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI016_lg.jpg 700w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/217;\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13618\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">From left, Gary Gertzog, senior VP of business affairs for the NFL, Kelci Stringer, KSI founder and widow of Korey Stringer, and James Gould, Stringer&#039;s former NFL agent.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Casa has a talented team of advisors and graduate students working with him. The team includes kinesiology department head Carl Maresh, a national authority on exercise in stressful environments, and Professor Lawrence Armstrong, a widely respected research scientist in the field of heat exhaustion, heat stress, and hydration as it pertains to extremely active individuals such as athletes, laborers, and military personnel.<\/p>\n<p>The research team uses state-of-the-art equipment to conduct its studies. Since its inception, the kinesiology department\u2019s Human Performance Laboratory has grown from a 250-square-foot lab with a treadmill and centrifuge in the basement of Koons Hall to an 8,000-square-foot facility in Gampel Pavilion with several million dollars of equipment, including an environment-controlled exercise chamber, a complete biochemistry lab, and an array of high-tech devices for monitoring physiological stress in the human body.<\/p>\n<p>With those kinds of resources available at UConn, representatives of the NFL and Gatorade agreed with Kelci Stringer that UConn was the proper home for the institute she envisioned to further research and prevent heat-related tragedies from happening to other athletes in the future.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13620\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13620\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI035_lg.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-13620  img-responsive lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI035_lg-300x210.jpg\" alt=\"&lt;p&gt;Scottie Graham, left, director of player marketing and engagement for the NFL Players Association, and Scott Paddock, director of sports marketing for Gatorade at a press conference announcing the formation of the Korey Stringer Institute. Photo by Peter Morenus&lt;\/p&gt;\" width=\"300\" height=\"210\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI035_lg-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/1KSI035_lg.jpg 700w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 300px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 300\/210;\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13620\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Scottie Graham, left, director of player marketing and engagement for the NFL Players Association, and Scott Paddock, director of sports marketing for Gatorade.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThis is a group of people who are going to get it done &#8230; in a first-class way,\u201d says Gary M. Gertzog, senior vice-president of business affairs for  the NFL. \u201c[They] align themselves with people who are top-shelf and they have done that with the University of Connecticut.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Scott Paddock, director of sports marketing for Gatorade, says the Gatorade Sports Science Institute will be an active partner with UConn in conducting research to help keep athletes safe.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are proud to bring our research and scientific support to Doug and his colleagues at the University of Connecticut,\u201d Paddock says. \u201cDoug and his team represent the best of the best. We\u2019ve been privileged to work with Doug. I\u2019ve known Doug for many years and I know the passion and commitment he has for this endeavor.&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>UConn was Kelci Stringer&#8217;s first choice for a research institute honoring her late husband.<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_crdt_document":"","wds_primary_category":0,"wds_primary_series":0,"wds_primary_attribution":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2224,1,70],"tags":[],"magazine-issues":[],"coauthors":[44],"class_list":["post-13648","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cahnr","category-uncategorized","category-video"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-07 04:41:31","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13648"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13648\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15287,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13648\/revisions\/15287"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13648"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13648"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13648"},{"taxonomy":"magazine-issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/magazine-issues?post=13648"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=13648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}