Sport and the Growing Good
“..for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”
George Eliot
Sport and the Growing Good examines and promotes ways that lives and communities can be improved through athletics. We are especially interested in the hidden, behind the scenes people and practices that foster positive impacts in and beyond sports.
Currently, we’re focusing on two related areas: 1) the Badger Inquiry on Sport Project (BIOS) and 2) the Wisconsin Coaching Project (WCP).
We invite you to join us by attending seminars, listening to podcasts, and/or reaching out to us directly.
Meet our Sport and the Growing Good team:
Peter Miller is a Professor in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he studies leadership and coaching. Previously, Peter was an athlete, teacher, and basketball coach. For more information about Peter, refer to his CV or his University biography.
Maria Dehnert works in the athletic department at the University of Wisconsin. Previously, she was a high school teacher in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Maria earned a master's degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an undergraduate degree from Bemidji State University, where she was captain and four-year letter-winner on the women's soccer team.
Landry Levinson is a master's candidate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received his bachelors in Kinesiology and Sport Management from the University of Texas at Austin and has previously worked for the University of Texas Athletic Department, ESPN College GameDay, the Big 12 Conference, and multiple sports tech startups.
Jose Montoya is a master’s candidate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a Brand Communications Assistant for Wisconsin Athletics. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas in sport management and journalism and some of his past stops include: Knox College Athletics, The Fund for American Studies, Radio America, Catholic News Service, and KUJH-TV.
Wquinton Smith is a doctoral student in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he studies the relationships and experiences of current and former student-athletes. Wquinton also holds undergraduate and master's degrees from UW-Madison and works in the athletic department. While an undergraduate, he played point guard for the Wisconsin basketball team.
As an undergraduate, Josie Schaefer received degrees from UW in Psychology, Sociology, and a certificate in Criminal Justice. Josie is currently in the final semester of the Sports Leadership graduate program. As a Baraboo, Wisconsin native, her work on the Wisconsin Coaching Project has been special and she looks forward to continuing WCP tasks while competing in her last track season with her brother, Redshirt Freshman, Jake Schaefer.
Sara Jimenez Soffa is the Director of the Master's in Sports Leadership program and a Clinical Professor of Sports Leadership in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Previously, she was the director of a doctoral program in educational leadership and dissertation advisor for multiple students. She was a collegiate swimmer and worked as a collegiate swim coach. Sara earned a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She resides in Madison with her husband and four children and is actively involved in the Wisconsin sports community.
