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William Paterson University student-athletes are gaining new tools to strengthen not only their physical performance but also their mental game, thanks to an expanding collaboration between psychology professor Michele Cascardi and Athletics staff, notably Athletic Director Kristen Foley and Head Athletic Trainer Alison Moquin.
Cascardi, who teaches Psychology of Sport and the new Applied Sport and Performance Psychology course, has been working closely with student-athletes and coaches to integrate mental skills training into athletic life at WP.
“Sport psychology is all about helping athletes build focus, confidence, and resilience,” says Cascardi, a licensed clinical psychologist and telepsychologist. She knows firsthand; Cascardi has more than 40 years of experience as an endurance athlete and currently competes as a USTA tennis player. “These are skills that not only enhance performance but also support mental wellness and teamwork.”
Last year, Cascardi coordinated with Athletics to lead a handful of team-specific workshops on goal setting and positive self-talk. Other teams stepped forward to request workshops as well. With support from Moquin and her team, Cascardi spent time in the athletic training facility on campus. After casually chatting with athletes, some requested to meet with Cascardi individually to discuss sports-related wellness concerns.
Seeing both student-athlete interest and need, the professor’s work with Athletics has grown into a broader initiative this semester. She is leading regular workshops based on the Pioneer athletes’ interest surveys and an Instagram campaign to build awareness of sports psychology.
“Dr. Cascardi has become an invaluable asset to our student-athletes, providing guidance that extends well beyond the playing field,” Moquin says. “Through this partnership, athletes have strengthened key skills including goal setting, positive self-talk, relaxation techniques, and effective communication with both teammates and coaches. These improvements have not only supported their personal growth but have also had a measurable, positive impact on their athletic performance.”
In direct collaboration with Athletics, Cascardi has assembled an interdisciplinary group of graduate- and undergraduate-level students to facilitate the expansion of her work in this area.
In October, more than 70 Pioneer athletes attended the “Transform Your Thinking Habits” workshop. An interactive session titled “Building Relationships with Teammates and Coaches,” is planned for November.
In January, two graduate students from the Integrated Marketing Communication program will join Cascardi’s team as interns, Victoria Palladino and Delsy Toxtli-Coyotl, expanding the project’s reach and visibility.
“This interdisciplinary collaboration gives students hands-on experience applying sport and performance psychology principles while making a real difference for our athletes,” Cascardi says. “It’s exciting to see the campus community rally around the importance of mental wellbeing.”
