Oct. 24, 2008

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Brent Walker, Ph.D. from "Play in the Zone Consulting," came to Oakland University this week to speak to student-athletes on stress management, goal setting and mental focus.

"I think covering mental skills is very important because a lot of times, how we perform is in our control, although it doesn't always seem that way, and the same encounters you have in athletics come up again in job situations, whether it be an interview or a presentation," said Walker. "The same skills that make somebody successful in the classroom or the athletic field are also important in everyday activities and the rest of your life."

Head volleyball coach Rob Beam was one of the many coaches to attend Walker's workshop and stressed the importance of having Walker come speak to the student-athletes.

"I think it's really important for athletes to learn how to control their emotional state and respond accordingly to the situation," said Beam. "It helps to build confidence in themselves, their teammates and their program."

Sophomore Kerry Brennan, a catcher and short stop for the Oakland softball team, feels she will definitely be able to apply Walker's lesson to actions on and off the field.

"I think his message was very important because confidence is a major factor in playing sports and I think we're all going to come away from this feeling more confident and successful," said Brennan.

Walker, an assistant professor at Eastern Illinois University, in Charleston, Ill., has a doctorate (University of Illinois-Urbana) and master's degree (University of North Carolina) in sport psychology. He received his bachelor's degree in psychology from Bradley University.

His workshops have featured professional sports figures, along with collegiate and high school student-athletes.