Mental Performance - Grand Canyon University Athletics

DR. DAN GERDES - DIRECTOR

Ph.D. – University of Kansas, Applied Sport Psychology
M.A. – University of Northern Iowa, Physical Education
B.A. – Wartburg College (IA), Biology/Secondary Education

MISSION

The Mental Performance Program is committed to athletic performance excellence, providing athletic performance enhancement services, developmental programs and mental skills coaching. We empower student-athletes and coaches to develop a potential-releasing mindset through mental excellence skills, positioning them with tools, techniques and strategies that promote lives of success and significance.

OUR COMMITMENT

Mental excellence/performance enhancement suggests that student-athletes don’t have to be “sick” to learn and apply the tools, techniques, and strategies of mental excellence. The type and level of engagement and support provided to each student-athlete, coaching staff or team is dependent upon the needs of each performance scenario. Based on the goals, performance experiences and needs of the individuals or team involved, programs offer application-based tools and techniques involving applied mental skills and tools that facilitate consistent high-level athletic performance.

NOTE: For mental performance issues that exceed the athletic competition context, GCU mental health resources are fully integrated within the university, and GCU encourages student-athletes to access existing university mental health resources and counseling programs. These would include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety attacks, panic attacks, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts and other clinical mental health issues.

WHAT WE OFFER

Individual meetings with athletes
Meetings with teams
Consulting with coaches/coaching staffs
Occasional travel with teams

Meetings are typically by appointment, lasting approximately 30 mins. Team programs or meetings usually involve tools and strategies involving confidence, concentration, mental toughness, goal setting, emotion management, team culture and leadership. With the guidance of the head coach, team meetings are developed with specific materials prepared and mental excellence objectives targeted.

For inquiries about performance enhancement services or to make an appointment, reach out via email to Dr. Dan Gerdes at dan.gerdes@gcu.edu.