HOUGHTON, Mich. – Sarah Dowd, EdD, was recently named the Assistant Athletic Director - Counseling and Sport Psychology with the Michigan Tech Huskies. She was originally hired in July 2019.
Dowd has served as an in-house therapist to counsel student-athletes in balancing mind, body, and sport for optimal mental health and well-being and will be expanding services to include sport psychology. She also works with coaches and athletic trainers on best practices for the health and well-being of the Huskies and provides preventative education.
"I'm passionate about student-athlete mental health, holistic well-being, and assisting student-athletes to realize and reach their potential in sport and life," Dowd said. "The opportunity to grow services beyond the existing mental health support, to now include sport psychology services, is exciting and demonstrates the department's commitment to excellence in all areas of the student-athlete experience. I'm appreciative of Suzanne, and the department as a whole, for prioritizing the development of a culture where holistic well-being and personal growth is emphasized for our student-athletes."
Dowd has also served on the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport (CSMAS) since February of 2023. The mission of CSMAS is to provide expertise and leadership to the NCAA in order to promote a healthy and safe environment for student-athletes through research, education, collaboration and policy development. Dowd was recently appointed as the committee's vice-chair for the 2024-25 academic year. She will then serve as committee chair for 2025-26 before her term expires.
Dowd received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Youngstown State University in August 2016 and completed a Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Addiction in December 2018. In June 2024, she completed a Doctorate of Education in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Western States.
Dowd was a decorated softball student-athlete at YSU from 2014-17. She was a CoSIDA Academic All-American, a three-time All-Horizon League selection, the Horizon League Freshman of the Year, three-time Horizon League All-Academic, a four-time NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete, and is the Penguins' all-time home run, RBI, and grand slam record holder.
